Streaming in
Sunlight streaming into Upper Antelope Canyon
Sunlight streaming into Upper Antelope Canyon
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Aug, 2019Views
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Awards
Spring 21 Award
Judge Favorite
Contest Finalist in Boulders Photo Contest 2019
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
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Behind The Lens
Location
Here is a beautiful example of Mother Nature at her finest! On June 13th 2019 I had a photo tour booked in Upper Antelope Canyon. To my delight it was a beautiful 98 degree day in Page Arizona on US Highway 98 near the Arizona/Utah border. In the slot canyon it was a comfortable cool 68 degrees.Time
I booked my tour at 11:00 knowing from my research that the best captures were at noontime when the sunlight could literally be seen filtering into the slot canyon.Lighting
My Navajo guide Lejon suggested the settings to use on my camera... ISO 320 Shutter 10/30Equipment
My camera is a NIKON D3000 I used my camera's built in flash with my 18-55 lens. I did cut tennis balls to put on the legs of my tripod so it wouldn't sink in the sand while shooting.Inspiration
I was inspired to take this photo and others like it simply due to the beauty of this natural canyon that Mother Nature had carved over time by floods taking thousands of years. Also further intrigued by the sacredness of this Navajo Land that I was granted the privilege of standing on. My grandparents on my Father's side were Cherokee.Editing
I have only recently "finally" decided to pursue my interest in photography since my retirement. Post processing isn't something that I have learned to do yet, I did however have my camera set to RAW per advise from a photographer friend. In this particular photo I was able to lighten it a wee bit with the light adjustment on my photo editor so you could see farther back into the canyon beyond where the light is streaming in, that in turn allowed the beautiful colors and shadows of the canyon walls to be seen in a much better light. Other than that...picture yourself right there with me, that is what my eyes saw through the lens on my camera.In my camera bag
My Nikon of course, an AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm, NIKKOR 15-55mm, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm, TAMERON AF 70-300/TELE-MACRO A17, a NEEWER HIGH DEF 2x doubler, 2 different sizes of lens balls, a sturdy pocket pod, a Graphite Velbon PH656 Tripod, a Zomei Tripod that converts to a mono-pod, several lens filters, 3 spare batteries at full charge, an external flash and a Nikon remote.Feedback
We were on our 3 month long retirement trip to the Western States, with our Travel Trailer in tow we set out from Pennsylvania westward bound. This and our ride on the Durango & Silverton RR were the "only" 2 things on our entire trip that were "scheduled". So very glad I paid to schedule this tour in advance! So sad... As, I just read last week that the "Photographer's Tours" of Upper Antelope Canyon are no longer an option. However I would not allow that to deter anyone from going to capture these wonderful examples of Mother Nature's finest works of art. In the photographer's tours the guides would hold back others coming through in either direction for 60 - 90 seconds to allow for photos without people in them...(good for me, since I haven't learned the art of "photoshopping" or "post editing"). Lejon would also throw small shovels full of sand up into the light so we could better capture the suns rays filtering into the canyon. Choosing the 11:00 tour allowed us to be in the canyon when the sun was highest in the sky...thus more light rays filtering into an otherwise dark slot canyon. I can't say enough about Lejon (pronounced Leon), his knowledge of everyone's equipment amazed me, as he was extremely helpful to try to get us the best shot at the best angle's, his history of the canyon was extremely interesting and his Flute Solo at the end of our tour was simply a beautiful bonus. My best advise to capture anything similar whether or not you are an amateur or a professional just follow your own natural instinct, practice, practice practice and be open to constructive advise/criticism from others whether they be photographers or guides...soak in whatever anyone offers.
