My adventure in Antelope Canyon, a photo from Arizona, West

Photographer's Note

I have already expressed my opinion about Europeans who are not aware of what to visit when coming to America because Europe does not have comparable wonders of nature. Although every educated person may have heard about the Grand Canyon and many dream about visiting it, as it always tops “50 most important places to see before you die”, fewer tourists are aware of the fact that the whole area around of Grand Canyon is full of other geologic wonders. More prepared Europeans visit Bryce canyon or Zion National Parks, but only connoisseurs, and this include many TE members, want to visit slot canyons.

A slot canyon is a narrow canyon, formed by the wear of water rushing through rock. A slot canyon is significantly deeper than it is wide. Some slot canyons can measure less than one metre (3 ft) across at the top but drop more than 30 m (100 ft) to the floor of the canyon. The U.S. state of Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world.
Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew.

There are plenty of excellent photos from Antelope Canyon on TE already so I am not going even to try competing with them. What I have different is the story.
Because the land is owned by Navajo Indians and theoretically there is a danger of flash floods you can visit the slot canyons exclusively in a guided tour. Colleagues from TE warned me that the tours taken straight from the visitor center are cheap but crowded and you may end up in a group of 150 people. I had plenty of advice from Dyerco or fallan and I also kept in mind the adventure of avene. Basically the theory is that you take either 20€ 1-hour tour with as many people as are around, or >200€ “photographic tour” with fewer people and more time for photographing (read avene experience about it though). My experience was very different from theirs. I visited the canyon in November. This time of the year there is no chance for the famous beam of light so we arrived in the Upper Antelope Canyon at 10am. There were couple of groups passing us so we expected it will be very crowded. In the visitor center we were the only ones. It seemed that everybody took a tour from numerous private companies in Page. The native American guide welcomed us and said that we can have either 20€ tour per person for 1 hour or 40€ tour for 2 hours. We were on a tight budget but we decided to take more time. Now the surprise: nobody else arrived by 10am so we were with my wife the only ones with this guide. He said he can also take us to a less know Rattlesnake Canyon which was on the way, much less known and only the Navajo have the right to take tourists there. But I wanted to see the Upper Antelope Canyon first. We arrived in the canyon when every other group was at the other end so we were alone. We did not need to rush. I could decide how fast to go. While I was focused on taking clean shots with my tripod, he was showing me best POVs, telling my wife Indian legends or playing native American music with flute. When other groups wanted to pass by he was holding them for me so that they did not disturb my shots. After 1.5 hour in the Upper Antelope Canyon I ask him to show us the Rattlesnake Canyon for the remaining half an hour and he did. The funniest thing was that we were passing a group of 20 photographers with tripods, who were all disturbing each other and paid probably over 200 bucks for that while in the meantime we were treated like VIPs. Well in the end even 2 hours was not enough if you are in such amazing place for the first time and you don’t know what to start with.

PaulVDV, Keitht, MBWhite, darek1978, Cretense, lousat, jhm, hardyuno, jafadabret, danos, Leconte, stefpat, diomed, thaprem, cherryripe, denisn72, jjanczyk, AiresSantos, jlbrthnn, gervaso, Longroute, CapturedByGrace, artesia, jocduerr, raszid62, HFASSOURAKIS, Kofman, kennyblack, No_One, COSTANTINO, PiotrF ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2009-12-05 1:12

Czesc Mariusz! Mowiac najkrocej, nad wyraz efektowny efekt. Klaniam sie!

PaulVDV (62892) 2009-12-05 1:55

Hello Mariusz,
Fantastic view on this very narrow canyon. Indeed it's much higher than it's wide.
I like the different red and pink tones very much which create a warm atmosphere but also the many horizontal lines in the rocks that give us an idea of the masses of water that have been rushing through this slot canyon.
You've really experienced your visit in the best conditions.
Kind regards, Paul

ophelcia (0) 2009-12-05 2:46

Ależ to jest wyczes, takiej dynamiki dawno nie widzialam, my fav!

macjake (98456) 2009-12-05 3:59

Hello Mariusz

I am truly appreciative of your write up, gives us alot of useful info. I really enjoyed your comment about the group of 20 photographers with all their tripod legs bugging eachother!
obviously, this photo does stand out, with excellent lighting from top to bottom, and in detailing. Impressive work
Have a great weekend
Craig

MBWhite (242) 2009-12-05 4:46

Hi Mariusz,
Sold, I'll have to book my trip soon to this amazing place. The navajo images of the past, the beauty and the enchanting music of this area are a wonder. You visited at a perfect time as most visitors go in or near summer. I find the same to be true when we go over the big pond - in the late fall, there are few visitors, no lines and we can do whatever we want, as long as it's open.
You captured a wonderful photo with beautiful highlights, curves, and gave us an interesting and informative narrative.
Best regards,
MB

janusz2054 (2) 2009-12-05 6:11

Witaj
Ciekawa struktura,ksztalt,padajace swiatlo oraz wyjatkowo ladny kolor skal kanionu, nadaja mu niepowtarzalna urode.Efektowne zdjecie.
Pozdrawiam
Janusz

darek1978 (13361) 2009-12-05 6:58

Czesc Mariusz,
Pamietam, kiedy pierwszy raz widzialem zdjecia z tego miejsca nie do konca wiedzialem o co chodzi. Faktura, swiatlo oraz kolorystyka jest nie do pojecia dla takiego zwyklego zjadacza chleba z Europy jak ja, ktory sie poza jej granice jeszcze nie ruszyl. No coz....odrywam szczeke od podlogi i ide zajac sie czyms innym, by nie popasc w depresje.
Pozdr.
D.

Dyerco (10185) 2009-12-05 6:59

Hi Mariusz
Well I am glad you had a good tour of these canyons. This is a classic shot of Antelope. I think what I like is that we can adjust the light and colour via PS to create an artistic image with what nature has provided. This is good use of the wide angle lens.
Looking forward to some more from here.
Phil

Cretense (68709) 2009-12-05 7:44

Hello Mariusz!

I am left speechless in front of such beauty! The magic of nature perfectly depicted! Such textures, such "plasticity", such colours, unbelievable! Top quality photo! Congratulations!

Hercules

Fis2 (170747) 2009-12-05 10:32

CZesc Mariusz!
Ten kanoin jest jedyny i niepowtarzalny.
Ale zeby go focic trzeba tam pojechac.
Dobry kadr i bajkowy efekt.
Swiatlo i kolory baluja na calego.
Pozdrawiam
Krzysztof

tugala (217) 2009-12-05 15:29

This must be the real miracle, absolutely. a great photo. magnificent cross.

lousat (139266) 2009-12-05 15:48

No comment,this is pure art!!!!!!!!!!Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Traczewska (14) 2009-12-05 16:18

Nie wiedzialam, ze w klasycznych przepisach na zycie spelnione jest zawarta koniecznosc odwiedzenia Grand Canyon, przynajmniej raz, przed smiercia.. wiec nie uciekne.. myslalam juz, ze pomiedzy mna a tym miejscem wyrosl mur nie do przebycia a u widze, ze opor zda sie na nic i ulegne, bo moje, jak przepowiedziala mi wrozka, 100 letnie zycie, byloby milo jednak spelnic.. no a skoro do tego sa potrzebne podroze, bede podrozowac.. zreszta wrozka i to zobaczyla.. duzo, duzo podrozy Pani bedzie miala..:)

Powiem szczerze, ze widzialam wiele ujec tego legendarnego rozowo-pomaranczowego przesmyku ale tak pieknego - jeszcze nigdy.. zabrzmi to moze i srednio, choc jest komplementem powaznym, ale nie wydawalo mi sie, ze w tym temacie moze mnie cos jeszcze zaskoczyc i to w dodatku tak przyjemnie..

niezwykle luksusowe, lekko atlasowe ale i porcelanowe jest wnetrze tej rozowej muszli, rozchylajacej swoje konchy.. perly leza w stosiku za rogiem i.. sa bardzo piekne..

warto wiec szukac, czekac i nie poddawac sie.. zapamietam:)

z pozdrowieniami, agn

emka (158156) 2009-12-05 22:49

Witaj,

Swietne zdjęcie z Antelope Canyon. Piekne delikatne kolory, fajny kadr. Ale podobnie jak z Grand Canyonem, jesli sie nie widziało na zywo, to trudno sobie wyobrazić o co chodzi. Ja w każdym razie przed wejściem tam nie miałam pojęcia. Niebywałe miejsce. Nam tez sie udało, bo bylismy jako pierwsi, tylko kilka osób, więc nikogo nie bylo przed nami, przewodnik opowiadało odkryciu tego kanionu, pokazywał nam ciekawe miejca do zdjęć i grał na fujarce - mozliwe że to ten sam z plemienia Navajo. Bilety kupilismy na miejscu, przed wejsciem, nie pamietam ile kosztowaly, chyba 20 dolców. mi się, Natomiast zawsze zastanawiam się, czy pokazywać takie znane miejsca, bo wydaje mi się, ze inne zdjęcia są lepsze. Czy pokażę Taj Mahal? Nie wiem. Pozdr. M.

bartekp (4746) 2009-12-06 1:35

Cześć Mariusz,

Świetne "studyjne" zdjecie. Mimo że to skały to zdjęcie jest miękkie...fajny efekt.

Pozdrawiam
Bartek

jhm (211736) 2009-12-06 1:39

Hello Mariusz,

I see these picture as a great artwork.
Fantastic view on this very narrow canyon
You chose a excellent angle we get depth and good perspective.
Great composition real colours good presentation too. TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

hardyuno (4652) 2009-12-06 1:41

Hi Mariusz,
a very well exposed picture of this great place. And your note is very interesting. It is not always the best what cost most. Thanks for this
Have a fine sunday
Hartmut

jemaflor (147128) 2009-12-06 2:36

Hi Mariusz,
Great place and great photo, bravo ! Perfect light and very interesting dynamic effect with these lines, lovely tones.

jafadabret (56501) 2009-12-06 3:37

Bonjour Mariusz.
J'aime cette photo pour les couleurs et pour l'impression d'avancer dans un monde étrange. L'effet est saisissant.
Bon dimanche !
Jacques

pal_claudia (458) 2009-12-06 6:41

Hi

Wonderful picture, wonderful place !
Great composition !
Thank you for sharing an also thank You very much for the presentation, which also is veru useful!
Congratulations
Clau, from Romania

danos (110407) 2009-12-06 9:37

Witaj Mariusz,
what a scene! A fabulous presentation of the Antelope Canyon,with the colour tints to take one's breath away.Excellent the perspective as the perfect management of the lighting conditions.Informative your note as well.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

BeBeHooker (0) 2009-12-06 10:46

Serwus Mariusz!
To sie nazywa rockowa jazda bez trzymanki, to jest dopiero kreatywna fotografia.
Siemka!

Leconte (5795) 2009-12-06 14:56

Bonjour Mariusz,

an effect of this amazing rock that seems to be a piece of coating caught in the wind, making incredible view of the rock that appears very smooth, light-reflecting color, forms beautiful,

best regards,
Valérie.

Juntas (7960) 2009-12-06 16:42

Hi MAriusz. Just perfect. Great light and colors and a very good point of view. Great story. BEst regards. Paulo

delpeoples (60342) 2009-12-06 19:24

Oh Mariusz this is spectacular stuff! The way you have managed the light is absolutely superb and really brings the best out of the cave's tonal range and textures. I have seen this particular canyon photographed here on TE and other places and I compliment you on the professional job you have done here. Fantastic work, TFS, Lisa

diomed (13926) 2009-12-07 3:19

Hi Mariusz,
this is an impressive and spectacular shot: unbelieveble richness of red tones, excellent lighting, great texture of the rocks, very eyecatching. Congratulations!
Nice week
Antonio

sevy (58) 2009-12-07 4:44

Hello,

A palce I dream one day to visit. Very good result you got here with a full variation of lines and colors.

Yves.

Pablo25 (3186) 2009-12-07 10:19

witaj Mariusz,
swietna praca, mimo ze tak jak piszesz miejsce pokazane juz przez wielu mistrzow fotografii. Aczkolwiek kazde zdjecie z tego miejsca wyglada odrobine inaczej. Tutaj bardzo mi sie podoba lekki efekt rozmycia na skalach polaczony ze znakomita ostroscia i dobrym kolorem. Dobrze wykonane.
pozdrawiam
Pawel

cherryripe (21033) 2009-12-07 10:23

Hi Mariusz
It's funny how everyone seems to have a story to go with there visit to Upper Antelope Canyon and one day I'll get around to telling mine.
Even though you didn't get the light beams, the light is still attractive and the walls are ultra sharp.
Regards
Nikki

denisn72 (8314) 2009-12-07 17:55

Hi Mariusz,
That is an unusual place and really stunning! The sharpness and the colors are impressive. It surely was a great adventure to go to this place. Congratulations!
Best regards
Denis!

jjanczyk (2579) 2009-12-08 16:21

Witaj Mariusz,
Widzialam wiele zdjec Antelope Canyon,... Twoje zaskakuje niesamowita miekkoscia barw.
Super POV, rewelacyjne swiatlo.
Pozdrawiam

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-12-09 8:10

Hi my friend Mariusz
What Beauty !...
Wonderful POV, graphism and colours
Great photo work
My best Regards
Aires

jlbrthnn (76043) 2009-12-09 12:38

Hello Maruisz,
You are a privileged photographer, you had much chance. The colors are fantastic. There is the impression to move at high speed between walls heated with the red. Your note describes your adventure well. The image is superb. congratulations.
Have a good evening
Cordially
Joël

gervaso (28177) 2009-12-09 13:55

Hello, Mariusz!

This place is just incredible, looks like something from another planet! The strong colors of the walls make the composition really beautiful and are shown with a very nice texture. Wonderful job! Very good one!

Longroute (19600) 2009-12-10 3:46

With you it's really difficult to choose which photo to vote: they are all so fine! Especially these American series. So I decided to follow the sequence. You are right: the antelope canyon is well represented in Te but that doesn't mean one cannot propose his own version. Light conditions chages all the times as well as POV so it's always a new discovery. I appreciate very much the play of the light here, a sight one is never tired to look at.
I read with interest your story and it reminded me something that happened to me too: travelling in low season has always its advantages!
My best compliments for this excellent work,
Donato

CapturedByGrace (14) 2009-12-15 0:21

Beautiful! Nice light, texture and depth captured here. I have yet to visit this fantastic place. Gorgeous image.

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-12-18 10:07

Ola Mariusz,
Este lugar é magnifico único no mundo , gosto muito da textura das paredes polidas , bonitos tons de cor , boa luz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

Urs (14082) 2010-01-24 9:12

Hi Mariusz

Wow, this canyon and the red color hues, truly outstanding. You have framed it perfectly, there is nothing to critique at all. Congrats. Thanks for your critique for my lake shot.

Best regards
Urs

artesia (959) 2010-01-29 23:45

This is a splendid photo!! The partial light add to the reflection and color to the rock...

Great note!! Impressive gallery you have..

Warm Regards

Artesia

jocduerr (217) 2010-02-17 9:17 [Comment]

Show Comment

raszid62 (18457) 2010-03-27 14:39

Cze¶æ
cudowny ten kanion, jakby z bajki lub cudownego snu. Delikatne ¿y³ki na ¶cianach piêknie roz¶wietlone promieniami ¶loñca. Znale¼æ siê w takim miejscu to musi byæ mistyczne prze¿ycie.
Pozdrawiam
Józek

aristo (3214) 2010-04-01 1:54

To fakt,natura potrafi czynic cuda!A ty pieknie to sfotografowales:)Niesamowite!

Pozdrawiam!
Arek

HFASSOURAKIS (4) 2011-03-21 14:26

HELLO MARIUSZ
I REALLY FEEL ENVY FOR YOUR LUCK FOR THE SPECIAL GUIDE YOU HAD. IT IS TRUE THAT IF YOU EVER MEET SUCH GUIDE YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE VIP AND THAT THE GUY KNOWS HOW TO TAKE BACK HIS EFFORTS: ADVERTISING.
REALLY FABULOUS PLACE
REALLY MANY EUROPEAN DREAMING ONLY GRAND CANYON-i am not exclude my self. TILL I SAW THE FILM "127 HOURS" AND I CHANGE MY MIND THAT USA IS NOT ONLY 1-2-3 THINGS, IS MUCH MORE.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR STORY VERY INFORMATIVE
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR PHOTO - SPECTACULAR

THANKS HERCULES GREECE

zanskar (280) 2011-04-14 2:52

I'd like to visit this place one day ! Your picture is just awesome, perfect light and excellent framing. Congratulations !
TFS
David

kennyblack (4207) 2012-01-26 10:08

Hello Mariusz, fantastic picture that looks like an abstract painter rather than a photo taken in Kanyon. Very interesting and beautiful color and POV. Great job.
Greetings and best wishes for a good evening ... Marino

Waylim (25436) 2012-06-07 23:33

Hi M,

Words can not describe the beautiful nature of the American Landscape. European has the historical architecture and city landscape. Which the U.S. is lacking, but when it come to natures there is a whole big world out there to be discover and I have been around out there many times, each time there still amazes me. Looking forward to go out there again.

this is a good shot, I like the fluidity of the line and curves, it seem in motion and with good depth.

Way

No_One (4) 2013-10-19 5:41

Hi Mariusz
Once again, thanks for the link, I love finding older pictures like this that I missed, and which I am glad to catch up on. HAving seen this canyon before, I can safely say I have never seen it presented like this, the sense of movement in your point of view is really superb, one of those magic eye pictures to me. Again also, the light and colors are spectacular!
All the best
Noel

COSTANTINO (116490) 2014-10-20 13:18

Hello dear friend
original version top impressive photo
with useful notes the view is
really fantastic and amazing of this
grand canyob the words cannot
describe it a visit there is
necessary to enjoy this amazing place
regards
Costantino

Cricri (176) 2016-03-18 5:24

Hi Mariusz
Un lieu magique, une belle entrée de lumière dans ce passage des plus étroit rendent les couleurs des roches plus attirantes, belle réussite
belle journée
cricri

PiotrF (54666) 2019-10-24 12:41

Czesc Mariusz,
Niezwykle urokliwe miejsce i mam wrazenie ze zdjecia robia sie tam same ;)
Pamietam, ze kilka lat temu zdjecia z tego kanionu byly materialem do nagrodzonej pracy w takim przeglądzie diaporam górskich ktory od kilku lat organizuje w Lodzi. Do dzisiaj podaje ta diaporame jako przyklad idealnego zgrania przenikajacych sie obrazow , kolorow, ksztaltow z muzyka - to byla swietna praca podobnie jak zdjecie ktore pokazales. Swietne kolory, przenikanie swiatla dobrze uchwycona nierealnosc tego miejsca.
Z przyjemnoscia ogladam
pozdrawiam
Piotr

jmdias (115156) 2019-11-27 9:31

mariusz

when I was there I was surrounded by many people and the place was so dark. your photo is much more clear than mines, probably because you used more aperture of the lens. very beautiful view with the marvelous shapes of the rocks sculpted by the waters. yes, there are so many natural monuments in western USA in the same way there are magnificent churches in italy.

take care

jorge