The desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona are packed with iconic photographic opportunities. Amongst them are mesas (plateaux), hoodoos (eroded rock formations), arches, slot (narrow) canyons, sand dunes, balanced rocks and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon itself. Our brand new landscape photography tour visits classic sites such as Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, as well as little-known wilder areas which we will explore using our high clearance SUVs. Photographing these natural wonders requires an understanding of light in desert environments and the local knowledge to be in the right place when light is at its best, and so each day our two expert leaders will ensure you are in the right place at the right time. And, with a maximum group size of just 6 participants, you will have the space and expert guidance that you need to take your landscape and astrophotography to the next level.
Highlights:
- Maximum group size of just six clients, accompanied by expert landscape photographer Robert Harvey plus a local expert wildlife and photography guide
- Travel by high-clearance SUV, maximising access to the best photographic locations
- Photograph six spectacular national parks and two iconic Navajo tribal parks, plus many lesser-known locations ‘off the beaten track’
- Practise astrophotography techniques and photograph the stars and Milky Way in the dark skies of Monument Valley and Arches National Park
- Follow a carefully designed, flexible itinerary which makes the most of the ‘golden hour’ light at sunset and at dawn
Food
All included in the price of the holiday.
Accommodation
Good quality inns and motels, all with en-suite rooms.
Day 1 Fly Las Vegas & overnight
Day 2 Red Canyon Slot & Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Day 3 Grand Canyon North Rim
Days 5/6 Colorado River, Antelope Canyone and Lake Powell
Day 8/10 Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
Day 11 Capitol Reef National Park
Day 12 Devil's Garden & Bryce Canyon
Day 13/14 Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks
Day 16 Drive Las Vegas, Fly London
The desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona are packed with iconic photographic opportunities. Amongst them are mesas (plateaux), hoodoos (eroded rock formations), arches, slot (narrow) canyons, sand dunes, balanced rocks and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon itself. All these features result from geological uplift of the Colorado Plateau over millions of years and the resulting patterns of erosion.
Photographing these natural wonders requires an understanding of light in desert environments and local knowledge in order to be in the right place when the light is at its best. This tour will take you to famous sites such as Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. We will also explore little-known wilder areas using our high clearance SUVs – the latter will help us maximise our access to the best photographic locations.
A particular feature of this tour will be astrophotography, making use of the desert landscapes and exceptionally dark skies to capture images of the night sky with striking foregrounds. Full advice will be given on astrophotography techniques.
Our leaders are professional photographers with a thorough knowledge of the area who will guide you to take your landscape and astrophotography to the next level, as well as enhancing your understanding of these remarkable desert landscapes.
Highlights include:
- Photograph six spectacular national parks & two iconic Navajo tribal parks
- Maximum group size of just 6 clients, accompanied by two expert leaders
- Includes many lesser-known locations ‘off the beaten track’
- Sunset visits to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Grand Canyon, Rimrocks Hoodoos, Alstrom Bay,
- Monument Valley, Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Pectol’s Pyramid & The Watchman to make the best use of light for photography
- Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Mesa Arch, North Window, Devil’s Garden, Bryce Canyon, Checkerboard Mesa & Towers of the Virgin
- Experience the wonderful potential of reflected light in Antelope Canyon
- Photograph the stars & Milky Way in the dark skies plus striking foregrounds of Monument Valley & Arches National Park
- Capture image of the night sky over moonlit landscapes of Bryce Canyon & Zion Plateau
- Led by expert landscape photographer Robert Harvey & a local expert wildlife & photography guide
Although the primary focus of this tour will be on the area’s stunning landscapes and the photography opportunities they offer, there should also be some wildlife present at this time of year which we will also enjoy as we travel. Bighorn Sheep traverse the rocky terrain while Mule Deer prefer the riparian forests and meadows, and Coyotes can be seen and heard throughout the region. Black Bears, though not present in the canyons for most of the year, can be found seeking food along the rivers and streams during October and November. Mountain Lions (Cougars) feed on the large mammals and, though usually well hidden, could be encountered as they hunt along the rocky canyons. More commonly seen are the smaller Bobcats as they hunt mice and lizards. Sightings of the highly endangered California Condor are possible around the Grand Canyon where an ongoing re-introduction programme has had some success, and other raptors that we should keep a look-out for include Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk and Prairie Falcon.