Canyon X
The beautiful canyon walls of Canyon X near Page, Arizona. We were given a guided tour, and I was allowed to take lots of pictures of this beautiful slot canyon...
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The beautiful canyon walls of Canyon X near Page, Arizona. We were given a guided tour, and I was allowed to take lots of pictures of this beautiful slot canyon.
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Jun, 2012Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a slot canyon near Page, Arizona, called Canyon X. Only one company takes people to this canyon, so, unlike Antelope Canyon, it wasn't filled with people. In fact, only six of us were there.Time
We went to Canyon X in the morning before it got too hot. We had to hike a half mile or so to the entrance, so getting there early was important. Plus, the morning light gradually filled the canyon with more light as the day went by. The best images I took were before the sun got too high in the sky.Lighting
Slot canyons are very dark. The sun sneaks through the top of the narrow walls and illuminates portions of the walls. This makes for a challenging lighting situation. You can't use flash, or else you'll blow out the photo. It all comes down to a tripod and slow shutter speed. Keep the ISO low so that your photos won't lose details or get grainy.Equipment
I used a Nikon D7000 with a Tokina 11-16mm wide angle lens on a Manfrotto tripod. The ISO was at 200, the lens at its widest, and I kept the shutter open for 30 seconds.Inspiration
I had never been in a slot canyon before. I read articles before the trip on how to take pictures in slot canyons, so I was prepared. But, what I didn't expect was that our guide would let me stay in the canyon by myself for almost 45 minutes. He could tell I really wanted to get shots of the canyon, and the others in the group wanted to hike the rest of the canyon. So he let me stay. It was magical. I was in complete darkness. The only sound was a little wind blowing dust across the top of the canyon and my heart beating like drums.Editing
I did my post-processing in Aperture. I lightened up the darker shadows and used Nik Color Efex Pro to bring out the details in the walls and the gorgeous red color.In my camera bag
I now work with an Olympus OMD-EM1. I moved to Micro 4/3 when carrying my Nikon with a bunch of heavy lenses got to be too much for my back. I can carry my OMD with a wide-angle, 25mm, 12-40mm, 60-150mm, and a macro lens all in one bag, and it's still lighter than my Nikon with one big lens. In addition, I carry a lens cleaning kit, an extra battery, additional SD cards, a remote shutter release, and my iPhone. I still have my Manfrotto tripod which I only take when absolutely necessary because it's heavy. One of the best investments I made for hiking is my Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip that allows me to carry my camera on my backpack strap. I can unhook it in a second and shoot--no taking off the backpack and digging for the camera or dealing with the camera swinging around my neck while climbing.Feedback
If you're going to shoot in a slot canyon, you have to have a tripod, a camera that will allow you to take long shutter shots, a remote or shutter release cable, a lens brush (for the dust), and a flashlight. A wide-angle lens is preferable. Choose your lens and stick with it. Slot canyons are sandy, and you don't want to be changing lenses in the canyon. You'll obviously need good hiking gear if you plan to scramble through the canyon or do any climbing. Water and snacks are a must. Read articles about how to take pictures in slot canyons before your trip, so you know what settings to use. If you go to Antelope Canyon, be prepared for hundreds of people, all of them with tripods and backpacks. It's extremely crowded and almost impossible to get a shot without people in it. I was so disappointed with Antelope Canyon after experiencing the quiet of Canyon X, that I strongly suggest doing the Canyon X tour if you find yourself in Page, Arizona.
