Posted by Jamie Botdorf on March 10, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Making my first trip to Page in mid-May. Planning a couple of days at Antelope (Upper with my wife and 3 year old, Lower by myself). I've read most of the archives here...great info. What I don't know is...do I need to make reservations with a tour guide now or just pick one up when I get there? I'll be there on a Mon/Tue.
Are there guides/operations to avoid? Anyone more "photographer" friendly than others?
I was there in September and all tours were booked up. I booked my tour guide in April. They all have a "photo tour" which just means they will charge you more. But in my case it also meant they direct traffic and keep crowds from walking into your frame. If you stay close to your guide you will also get some prime spots for the cool stuff like light shafts. I thought the entire thing was a little insane and overpriced but I got some cool shots so I can't complain. You have to go there armed with a lot of patience
Good luck!!!
Posted by Chris Rice on March 10, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Its worse now. Light shafts now cost 5 bucks per shot. Ever seen Caddyshack? Remember Chervick's driver Wang? Without stating the obvious this is the stuff you'll have to avoid.
I'd recommend simply driving east of Page and paying for the Navajo Tribal Park fee to be driven to the canyon entrance
I agree with this for the sake of principle.
However, booking a 'photography tour' with this outfit will help ensure that you get to photograph the areas of interest at the right time (light beams, etc.). They also help keep the crowds at bay as best as possible,
Not an ideal solution and I'm reluctant to recommend a guide, but for a once in a blue moon visit, I believe this is your best bet. Book as far in advance as you feel comfortable.
As for the Lower canyon, be sure to ask the booth attendant at what time the light beams will appear. They're pretty knowledgable about that sort of thing.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I haven't been to Upper Antelope since August 2003. Sound like things have changed some since then.
I just drove to the entrance station and used this company http://www.navajotours.com/index.shtml to take me to the entrance of the canyon. I just arrived a little early like they advise.
Posted by Steve Sieren on March 10, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Wow 5 bucks a light beam shot. That's crazy. I was there in 2005 and it was worth what ever little inexpensive fee for the higher priced photo tour. You get to stay a little longer. Make sure you have extra batteries down there. The lower canyon is less crowded but I don't think it has those token beams of light with a line of photographers behind it. The place to get ripped off is Monument Valley. The photoguides there first take at look at you then decide how much to charge you. Don't tell them you just got off a tour bus. Sad thing to see the poverty of the towns there so I don't blame the people for trying to make some money.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 10, 2009 at 11:43 AM
sorry they don't charge 5 bucks per lightshaft shot, for some reason I was thinking about the airlines.... i cannot say what the prices are as of late for the jeep tour but when I was there in 2000 it was $14 pp, for 2 hours in the upper canyon.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on March 10, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Keep the recommendations coming - this is helpful!
Question - how long is the drive from Page to the canyon? Is this something my wife can drop me off and come back to pick me up later or is it too far for that? (I seem to recall it is about a 30 minute drive one-way?)
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I've never hired a guide out of Page for Upper Antelope. Just signing up for a "tour" at the entrance worked fine for me.
The guided groups that I have observed didn't seem to get much for the extra money, other than the convenience of being picked up in Page.
A few years ago, at the entrance gate, you could purchase an extra hour in the canyon for an additional small fee. That was well worth it because you were there during some gaps in the tour groups, but I don't know if the extended photo option is still available.
If you want the "light beam" shots in Upper Antelope, I recommend using a tour operator. I've used Overland Tours in the past and paid the extra for a "Photographer's Tour". They are very aggressive about getting regular tour people out of the light beam shots long enough for photographers to get off a couple of shots.
You should be prepared to work very quickly. Large format will be very difficult and even when I was shooting medium format I was often frustrated by the pace. Once you've been there, you'll never look at another light beam shot without wondering, "How many Japanese tourists are hiding behind every outcropping?"
If you want to shoot other features, no guide is necessary. Most people rush from light beam to light beam like kids chasing an ice cream truck. As a result, I have found that the rest of the canyon can be quite peaceful.
BTW, it's about 10 minutes from Page to the parking lots for both Upper and Lower Antelope.
CAZ
Posted by Steve Sieren on March 10, 2009 at 7:08 PM
That's funny I totally thought you were serious Chris because it wouldn't surprise me. How about an extra dollar for more sand in the air when the shaft of light comes down.
If there were anything to burn in that little canyon there would have to be a sign w/ a capcity limit on it. If I were to guess the number of people in there at one time I would just pick the square footage. If anyone ever fired a gun off in that canyon there would be a stampede and not a pretty sight.
All joking aside it's worth a visit at least once. If it's too hard to photograph there because of the crowd point up. This is a modest view of what you'll be working with. Maybe add someone behind right shoulder and right ear and same for the other side. Really take note to all the footprints.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on March 10, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Me and my wife were just down there a week ago. Lower Antelope--$20+$6 tribal permit = $26/person. I saw a sign for the Upper Canyon and it said $26 + $6 for $32/person. At Lower the sign only says $20 then they tell you there is an additional $6/person permit fee. I was there in 2003 by myself, but this time I wanted my wife to see the Lower one at least, but for $52 I balked. Actually my wife balked. I was willing to bite the bullet. It is their land and they can choose to charge whatever the want and I can choose to pay or stay away. If I had never been there before I probably would have paid. Good luck!
Yeah sorry about that Steve, I just flew for the first time since the airlines added all those pesky fees and so that's been a topic of conversation....
Discussion
12 repliesAre there guides/operations to avoid? Anyone more "photographer" friendly than others?
Thanks for the help!
Good luck!!!
I agree with this for the sake of principle.
However, booking a 'photography tour' with this outfit will help ensure that you get to photograph the areas of interest at the right time (light beams, etc.). They also help keep the crowds at bay as best as possible,
Not an ideal solution and I'm reluctant to recommend a guide, but for a once in a blue moon visit, I believe this is your best bet. Book as far in advance as you feel comfortable.
As for the Lower canyon, be sure to ask the booth attendant at what time the light beams will appear. They're pretty knowledgable about that sort of thing.
I just drove to the entrance station and used this company http://www.navajotours.com/index.shtml to take me to the entrance of the canyon. I just arrived a little early like they advise.
Question - how long is the drive from Page to the canyon? Is this something my wife can drop me off and come back to pick me up later or is it too far for that? (I seem to recall it is about a 30 minute drive one-way?)
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/antelope-canyon-map.html
I've never hired a guide out of Page for Upper Antelope. Just signing up for a "tour" at the entrance worked fine for me.
The guided groups that I have observed didn't seem to get much for the extra money, other than the convenience of being picked up in Page.
A few years ago, at the entrance gate, you could purchase an extra hour in the canyon for an additional small fee. That was well worth it because you were there during some gaps in the tour groups, but I don't know if the extended photo option is still available.
You can find a list of tour operators at the Navajo Nation Park website here:
http://www.navajonationparks.org/htm/antelopecanyon.htm
If you want the "light beam" shots in Upper Antelope, I recommend using a tour operator. I've used Overland Tours in the past and paid the extra for a "Photographer's Tour". They are very aggressive about getting regular tour people out of the light beam shots long enough for photographers to get off a couple of shots.
You should be prepared to work very quickly. Large format will be very difficult and even when I was shooting medium format I was often frustrated by the pace. Once you've been there, you'll never look at another light beam shot without wondering, "How many Japanese tourists are hiding behind every outcropping?"
If you want to shoot other features, no guide is necessary. Most people rush from light beam to light beam like kids chasing an ice cream truck. As a result, I have found that the rest of the canyon can be quite peaceful.
BTW, it's about 10 minutes from Page to the parking lots for both Upper and Lower Antelope.
CAZ
If there were anything to burn in that little canyon there would have to be a sign w/ a capcity limit on it. If I were to guess the number of people in there at one time I would just pick the square footage. If anyone ever fired a gun off in that canyon there would be a stampede and not a pretty sight.
All joking aside it's worth a visit at least once. If it's too hard to photograph there because of the crowd point up. This is a modest view of what you'll be working with. Maybe add someone behind right shoulder and right ear and same for the other side. Really take note to all the footprints.
anyway, be careful! http://climb-utah.com/Powell/flash_antelope.htm