1. For Great Skies, Visit
During “Monsoon” Season:
From
late July through early September,
capture dramatic clouds and, if you’re lucky,
lightning storms or rainbows in the distance.
2. Avoid Crowds By Going
To The North Rim:
Open only in
summer, it’s harder to reach than the
South Rim. More than 1,000 feet higher and
covered with forests, it’s more scenic, too.
3. Stick To Classic Overlooks
To Shoot Panoramas At Dawn Or Dusk:
On the North Rim, Point Imperial and
Cape Royal (better at sunset) reveal rock
formations all the way down. On the South
Rim, busy Hopi Point juts from a cliff into
the heart of the canyon for views in every
direction. Desert View and Navajo Point
(less crowded and best for sunrise and
sunset) look out on the winding Colorado
River. At Desert View, compose around the
landmark Desert View Watchtower.
4. Consider The Foreground:
The view of cliffs from Mather Point,
South Rim, is close enough to let you
crop out the sky and focus on detail. Tired
of tourists? Wander off the beaten path in
search of interesting details to highlight.
5. Hike One Of The Trails:
You can reach the popular South
Kaibab trail by shuttle bus from the
visitors’ center. The strenuous 6.5-mile trek
lacks shade, but it follows a ridge for an
open view in all directions. Bring plenty of
water—you’ll walk for hours.
6. Capture The Action:
on
a river trip down the Colorado.
Tours are available at www.
raftingthegrandcanyon.com. Bring a
waterproof, shockproof camera case such
as those made by Pelican (from $35, street;
www.casesbypelican.com).
7. Get An Aerial Shot:
Willing to drop some cash? Starting
at around $80, depending on length,
helicopter tours offer a stunning view of
hard-to-reach places such as Havasu Falls.
8. Don’t Forget Your Zoom:
More valuable than a wide-angle
(though fisheyes can be fun) is a
long lens to get new angles on classics and
“zero in on things beneath the rim,” advises
local photographer Mike Buchheit. Zoom in
at sunrise and sunset, when moving clouds
paint shadows on canyon walls.
9. Load Up Your Kit:
Bring a tripod, polarizing filter, and at
least one split neutral-density filter.
10. Learn While You’re
There:
Get insider tips on where
and how to shoot the canyon
from one of the local photo workshops, such
as those offered by Grand Canyon Field
Institute (www.grandcanyonassociation.org) and Friends of Arizona Highways (www.friendsofazhighways.com).
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