Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: MTGFender on April 16, 2013, 05:19:59 pm

Title: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 16, 2013, 05:19:59 pm
Phase One IQ 180/Phase One DF/ Mamiya 28mm
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Pramote
http://pramotelaoprasert.zenfolio.com/

Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: juliandecourcy on April 16, 2013, 06:56:14 pm
An often photographed subject. I like this vesion a lot and the rendition of B+W works well with good tones.
Wouldn't mind your camera :)
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 16, 2013, 07:09:55 pm
Julian,

Thanks for your comment!
Believe it or not, the dynamic range of the Nikon D800E is slightly better than the IQ180. I used both cameras at the Antelope, the D800E with the 14-24mm for handholding and IQ180 with tripod. Although the Lower Antelope was less crowded than the Upper Antelope, it was still very crowded.

Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Matt Tilghman on April 18, 2013, 12:10:07 pm
Don't see many B&W of antelope but this works very very well.  Really pulls you into the lines, whereas color versions seem to lean towards emphasizing the texture.  It's a nice change.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 18, 2013, 09:29:06 pm
Thanks Matt! I agree.
Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: tim wolcott on April 18, 2013, 11:03:53 pm
I believe Barnbaum did a great job with B&W in  the canyons.  But also the time was unspoiled by humans at that time.  I will post some when I get the time.  Tim
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on April 19, 2013, 03:52:27 am
I like the way I am enveloped by the lines and tones, almost caleidoscopic (spelling?) in effect. I think the foot prints in the sand detract from this, do you have other compositions with just the rock?
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 20, 2013, 09:08:23 am
The foot prints in the sand are unavoidable. It is a very busy place.
I have lots of pictures without the sand and will post later.

Thanks!
Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Tony Jay on April 21, 2013, 05:16:04 am
I like this one Pramote because it makes me think so differently about an iconic location where I am so used to seeing the rich reds, oranges, and burgundy.

Well done.

Tony Jay
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Chris Calohan on April 22, 2013, 08:32:50 am
Is it possible to get to these locations without a 4-wheel drive? I am going to be in that area for about a week, albeit in July when it's hotter than Hades itself. My plans for a two week period start in Moab/Arches and work down to Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and last to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: francois on April 22, 2013, 09:28:42 am
Is it possible to get to these locations without a 4-wheel drive? I am going to be in that area for about a week, albeit in July when it's hotter than Hades itself. My plans for a two week period start in Moab/Arches and work down to Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and last to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Accessing Antelope Lower Canyon doesn't require any special vehicle. 4x4 truck for Upper is provided by the Navajo guides. Basically, you leave your car in the parking lot and wither climb into a 4x4 (Upper) or directly into the Canyon (Lower).
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Chris Calohan on April 22, 2013, 09:33:10 am
Oh goody! Thank!
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: francois on April 22, 2013, 09:34:49 am
Oh goody! Thank!

In the same area, Horseshoe bend is also accessible by normal car but you'll need to walk for 10 minutes on uneven terrain. At night, be sure to take a flashlight with you.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 22, 2013, 12:03:49 pm
Thanks Francois to fill it in.
Chris...You should go to both Upper and Lower Antelope. The best time is at noon with the sun beam especially at the Upper Antelope.
The Upper Antelope is busier but better for sun beam.
Get your widest angle lens and the camera with very high ISO as you will shoot handheld most of the time. Too many people! I used the Phase One with Mamiya 28mm on Tripod and Nikon D800 with 14-24mm for handholding. Do not change lenses in there as there are lots of dust.
Regular people are limited to 1 hr (at Lower Antelope) and 2 hrs if you have tripods. If you spend more than 2 hrs, you have to pay $20 extra (I did) and you can spend as much time as you want.
For Horseshoe Bend, you will shoot to the sun at sunset and the sun is behind you at sunrise. At mid day you will see the whole river but I don't like it as the light was too harsh.
Lake Powell is very nice too although we did not have time to go to a boat tour.
You may also apply to hike to "The Wave" but they only few people are permitted.
Courtyard Hotel where we stayed was very nice with great breakfast.
Denver is not very far and we will certainly revisit  this place again. I would count my last trip as a "survey".
Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Chris Calohan on April 22, 2013, 01:21:44 pm
Thanks so much for all the information. Don't suppose you have any guide names, etc you could share? Pretty please. I'll definitely take my lightweight tripod and likely only a lens or two to cut down the weight facotr for hiking.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Peter McLennan on April 22, 2013, 07:52:44 pm
I drove right past the canyons a couple of weeks ago.  I just didn't see the point, given all the similar-looking images from there.

There were several booths offering photo tours.  All empty of customers.

Instead, I froze my ass off in the desert north of Flagstaff.  Minus 10C in the morning and three sleeping bags deep.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 22, 2013, 08:38:56 pm
Chris...I went with my family so I didn't use the guide.
If you've never been there before, I would recommend you to stop by. There are too many angles you can take pictures which are different from others.
How many times do you see pictures of Yosemite, Yellowstones, Grand Canyon etc.?
If you don't want to go to places where people already went, you might end up having no places to take photographs at all.
Too bad I am not a purist! I for one would not drive for 9 hours just to be in a sleeping bag in nowhere. I'd better camp in a nearby state park :)
Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: francois on April 23, 2013, 04:49:43 am
Thanks so much for all the information. Don't suppose you have any guide names, etc you could share? Pretty please. I'll definitely take my lightweight tripod and likely only a lens or two to cut down the weight facotr for hiking.

For the Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend, you don't need a guide at all. For other places, I've used Charlie Moore and Jackson Bridges from Overland Canyon Tours (http://overlandcanyontours.com/). I was very happy with the services they offered. Be sure to contact them a long time before you arrive in Page, AZ.

FWIW, I took a tripod in both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons but I have to agree with Pramote, the Upper is more crowded. And one last hint about Antelope Canyon, if the wind is blowing, be prepared to shield your photographic equipment or you'll face expensive repair bills.

If you can't make it to the Wave then try your hand at the South Coyote Buttes (a permit is needed too).

If you need documentation, Laurent Martrès' books are the references:
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1--Southern Utah (2nd Ed.) (Photographing the Southwest) (http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Volume-1--Southern-Utah/dp/0916189120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366706705&sr=8-1&keywords=laurent+martres)
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona (2nd Ed.) (Photographing the Southwest) (http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Volume-2-Arizona-2nd/dp/0916189139/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y)

Edit: typo correction
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 23, 2013, 09:02:55 am
Francois...Thanks very much FYI! I should have asked you before we went to Page.
Pramote
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: Chris Calohan on April 23, 2013, 09:05:17 am
Great info. I am already on the permits, etc. I've looked forward to this trip for quite some time. I wonder if an underwater housing would work for camera protection in the wind. I have one that leaks slighly though probably not for wind and sand to worry over.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: francois on April 23, 2013, 12:06:36 pm
Francois...Thanks very much FYI! I should have asked you before we went to Page.
Pramote

You now have a reason to return…  ;D
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: francois on April 23, 2013, 12:32:35 pm
Great info. I am already on the permits, etc. I've looked forward to this trip for quite some time. I wonder if an underwater housing would work for camera protection in the wind. I have one that leaks slighly though probably not for wind and sand to worry over.

Chris,
An underwater housing would probably do the trick. When the wind is strong, sand is literally pouring from above. I always avoided getting into the canyons with such conditions.
Title: Re: Lower Antelope, Page, AZ
Post by: MTGFender on April 25, 2013, 10:45:37 am
Thanks Francois! I will certainly revisit this place and spend more time.
Pramote