One to beam up!
Click on image for a great view
One to beam up! Most people do anything they can to exclude people from their nature or scenic shots, but I think that is a mistake. People add interest and scale. This one has a bit of mystery to it with the people behind the man walking in the beam and the person in the foreground, is downright spooky. Cool shot!
This was my main objective in going to Antelope Canyon, near Page Arizona. I went not just to photograph the slot canyon (lower antelope canyon). I had visited this place about 3 years ago, in the fall when the sunbeams are not visible. Right now is prime time for photographing the sunbeams. Be warned however, that it does get crowded. The best tour to sign up for is the one starting between 9:30 and 10:00 am. The photographer's tour is best but wait until you read the rest of this story.
I took my tour with Chief Tsosie. You can google them for all the information. Tours are booked about 2 to 3 weeks in advance, so make reservations.
I arrived at the tour office with a lot of time to spare, got checked in and had time to look around. The tour started right on time. It's a real thrill to walk through the 1/4-mile canyon, photographing as you go.
You won't have a lot of time however, because a lot of folks go through this canyon every hour. You will be challenged to get photographs with no people and just the beautiful Navajo stone formations. It does get crowded!
When we came out of the canyon at the end of the tour I was totally bummed out. I had not seen one sunbeam! I told my tour guide about my disappointment. He told me to follow him into the office when we returned. The folks there booked me on the next tour, not free of charge, but I did get to go again. This time there were the sunbeams I drove from El Paso to photograph. Oh yeah, glorious is a good word. Those that know me, are very well aware of my military-like determination to complete the mission. I am happy to say that on this photographic journey I hit 100% plus a few targets of opportunity.
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Conditions for photography are not the best one could want but hey, this is nature!
It's dark and crowded! I started out with the Nikon D90
ISO set on 800. Shooting with Nikons means not having to fear noise. I used the Tokina 11-16mm ultra wide set on 16mm, f/7.1 for depth of field but still fairly quick at 1/15th of a second exposure. Yes, I used a tripod. 
Click on image for a better view
Antelope Canyon is beautiful at any time of the year, but the sunbeams, (visible from late April to early October) just totally blow my mind. They are gorgeous! The tour guides for Chief Tsosie are super people and very patient to put up with the likes of me.
I should add that I have never in all my travels had a bad experience with Navajo tour guides and the Navajo people. They are just super!
I hope you enjoyed this article and that you will have the opportunity to visit Antelope Canyon soon. Don't forget your tripod!
Thanks for reading, and a special thanks for your links and clicks. I really do need to be linked to other sites and would appreciate that favor.
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