My beautiful wife surprised me with a trip to the Grand Canyon for my 30th birthday. I didn't know where we were going until this morning and now I'm here, ready to shoot the canyon but have done no leg work since this was a total surprise to me. So, I'm sending out an SOS for location advice. I've read a little on line this evening that Hopi point is good for sunset so I'm gonna go there shortly, but I need help with other locations, advice and such.
She also surprised me with a new Sony A900! So, as you can see, I have a camera worthy of the best the Grand Canyon has to offer.
I would suggest that you try to get away from the crowds to give yourself room to work and to enjoy the canyon. For sunrise locations I would suggest Lipan Point, Moran Point and Yaki Point and Desert View. Yaki Point, Mohave Point and Desert View are great at sunset.
Hopi Point has great views but it can get very busy, almost as busy as Mather or Yavapai. It's all good and you really can't miss from any of the major viewpoints. If you have an assortment of lenses with you, be sure to experiment. It's easy to want to capture the entire canyon, but there are plenty of more intimate scenes just waiting to be captured.
I really like the east rim including Desert View and Lipan Point. Desert View is good at both sunrise and sunset. At sunset you can shoot to the west with a short telephoto and get some great telephoto stacking. If you go to Lipan Point be sure to walk down from the viewpoint (to the north). Most people stay at the viewpoint and will not go any further. You will feel like you have the canyon to yourself.
Hit all the overlooks on the south rim at both morning and sunset. That would be a great start. The north rim is nice but a long drive with limited views.
Thanks for the advice Adam. I was going to try and hit Yavapi tomorrow morning for sunrise and hope the crowds aren't too bad. I like any suggestion that gets us away from the crowds. They are crazy here this time of year I guess.
If we have time, I'd like to have a look at the north rim, but it is an awfully long drive. Those hours may be better spent exploring the south rim or going to maybe Paige or some other hot spots.
My absolutely favorite place on the south rim. You'll need to do some searching to find it - google, or ask the rangers. This is the place where the GC staff hold their weddings... Easy hike/walk. Unmarked - you have to know where it is. Can be found in some of the hiking guidebooks. I used to have a map on my computer, to direct folks there, but I can't find it.
Definitely sounds like a nice problem to have. Adam gives some awesome suggestions (and he should know from being an artist in residence there!) I like Lipan and Yavapai Point too but I'd also suggest Navajo Point for sunset, a good view and not as many crowds as Desert View or Lipan.
Thanks for the advice Adam. I was going to try and hit Yavapi tomorrow morning for sunrise and hope the crowds aren't too bad. I like any suggestion that gets us away from the crowds. They are crazy here this time of year I guess.
If we have time, I'd like to have a look at the north rim, but it is an awfully long drive. Those hours may be better spent exploring the south rim or going to maybe Paige or some other hot spots.
Thanks for the tip on Shoshone point, Tim. We went there for sunset last night. It's a great place and we were almost alone; there were only 3 families there which is about as good as it gets here in July I bet.
And another thanks to Adam, we went to Lipan this morning and hiked down from the lookout like you suggested and we were more alone than at any point yet this trip!
Josh, sorry, no single ones. But my sister in law wouldn't have done such a nice thing for her husband anyway. I got the pick of the litter.
Discussion
7 repliesShe also surprised me with a new Sony A900! So, as you can see, I have a camera worthy of the best the Grand Canyon has to offer.
Please help! :D
P.S., what a wonderful problem to have. :)
Hopi Point has great views but it can get very busy, almost as busy as Mather or Yavapai. It's all good and you really can't miss from any of the major viewpoints. If you have an assortment of lenses with you, be sure to experiment. It's easy to want to capture the entire canyon, but there are plenty of more intimate scenes just waiting to be captured.
I really like the east rim including Desert View and Lipan Point. Desert View is good at both sunrise and sunset. At sunset you can shoot to the west with a short telephoto and get some great telephoto stacking. If you go to Lipan Point be sure to walk down from the viewpoint (to the north). Most people stay at the viewpoint and will not go any further. You will feel like you have the canyon to yourself.
Have a great trip and Happy birthday!
If we have time, I'd like to have a look at the north rim, but it is an awfully long drive. Those hours may be better spent exploring the south rim or going to maybe Paige or some other hot spots.
Thanks, and keep the advice coming!
My absolutely favorite place on the south rim. You'll need to do some searching to find it - google, or ask the rangers. This is the place where the GC staff hold their weddings... Easy hike/walk. Unmarked - you have to know where it is. Can be found in some of the hiking guidebooks. I used to have a map on my computer, to direct folks there, but I can't find it.
Good luck and enjoy!
Tim!
Does your wife have any single sisters?
If we have time, I'd like to have a look at the north rim, but it is an awfully long drive. Those hours may be better spent exploring the south rim or going to maybe Paige or some other hot spots.
Thanks, and keep the advice coming!
And another thanks to Adam, we went to Lipan this morning and hiked down from the lookout like you suggested and we were more alone than at any point yet this trip!
Josh, sorry, no single ones.