Hi again,

I'm planning a trip to Utah in March to do some stock photography/ R@R but I'm not familiar with the options that are available to me. I understand that there are companies that specialize in outings/ tours/ photo-expeditions in this area. Does anyone have any experience with these companies??? I'm looking for a tour company that is sensitive to the issues of a photographer (someone who won't mind chasing the light for you and taking you to photogenic spots). Also, I have enough Air Miles on my gas card now to buy a plane ticket to anywhere in North America. I welcome suggestions to visit other vistas and look up other guides.... anything you guys can think of in your past experience.

Thanks,

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 08, 2001

Answers

I always did my own touring in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Talking about it here would take a book. Some suggestions...

* Under no circumstances should you miss Bryce Canyon just NE of Zion.

* If you have time, wander over the southern border into Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay"). But this might be a 2-week expedition in of itself.

* Contact Photo Traveller Publications for inexpensive and worthy material on Southeast Utah, Southwest Utah, and Arizona, plus travel & tour info...

Catalog & ordering: phototraveler.com

Travel info: phototravel.com

Travel Info Exchange: egroups.com/group/phototravel

Tour Info Exchange: egroups.com/group/phototours

Have a good time, and count on returning many times in the future.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), January 08, 2001.

I second the above, plus I'd add that your best bet getting there would be to fly in to Las Vegas, NV and rent a vehicle (4x4 if possible) there. There are a lot of promotional deals offering very inexpensive flights to Vegas and it's very close to Bryce/Zion by car.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 09, 2001.

I lived in Salt Lake City for three years in the early '90s, so I was able to go to Zion and the other parks in Utah anytime I wanted. I believe, based on my temperament, It is better to go unencumbered by any group. These groups have little tolerance for a serious photographer. You might see a great scene, but the light might not be right for another hour.... on your own, it is no problem to wait. You see buses of people stop, everyone shoots from the same spot, and gets back on the bus. That is the equivalent of all of those corny "Photo Spot" signs at the Disney parks... fine for snap shooters, not good for real photographers.

That said, I believe you can't take a bad picture in Zion. It is spectacular. Bring more film than you would ever imagine that you can shoot. I used thirty rolls one day... sunrise to sunset... and could have used thirty more if I didn't force myself to slow down.

One other thing, I know your plan is for March, but having gone to the parks throughout the year, I believe that visually, you can't beat October and early November. Besides the mountain faces, you have some of the most beautiful foliage shots with the leaves turning colors.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), January 09, 2001.

Jay & Al are both right on this. Thinking more about it, you may have a logistical prolem in March, so you may need to break this into 2 trips. Unfortunately Zion and Moab are on opposite sides of Utah - in of itself a drive. Go across Nevada and you'll be driving more than shooting. Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix are no help in March - Denver & Salt Lake are jammed with skiers, and Phoenix is jammed with winter visitors and baseball Spring Training. Flights and rentals will be tough.

So consider this plan (not knowing where you've been or how much time you have, of course)...follow on Nevada/Utah/Arizona maps...

Trip 1) Fly into Las Vegas in March. Head south to I-40, then east to hit the Grand Canyon South Rim, hopefully with some residual snow. Then east to the Painted Desert and maybe hit some Slot Canyons along the way. Then north to Lake Powell and loop back west towards Zion. Unfortunately the Grand Canyon North Rim will probably be closed due to snow. Hit Zion and Bryce ("f/64 and be there"...at dawn!). Back west to Las Vegas.

Trip 2) Late summer or Fall fly into Salt Lake City or Phoenix. Loop through the east side of Utah - Moab/Arches - and down to Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. If you have time, back west to Zion for Fall colors, and back to Salt Lake or Phoenix (if Phoenix, hit Sedona on the way).

Whew! I'm peeing in my pants just thinking about it. I'm packing my gear right now. If you feel someone elbowing you for position at the Bryce Canyon overlook, it may be me.

Don't forget to write!!!

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), January 09, 2001.

I'm looking into going with a specialist photo-tour company (Canyonlights Photo tours) because of my limited time schedule. My reasoning is that I really only have March to go down there and about 5 days to pack in some quality photo-time. I'm aiming to shoot at least 80-90 rolls of film while down there in 3 condensed days so I really can't beat around the bush for 2-3 weeks and look for those elusive vistas when I could get someone to show me (provided he has an appreciation for my goals). I wish I could say that this trip was for R@R exclusively but I can't. If I go with Canyonlights their rates are $30/ hr x how many hours I'll be out but I figure if I do it the relaxed way (rent a 4X4 and mosey around for 2 weeks + gas + living expenses) it'll come out to about the same. I'll be restricted to the Moab region for the trip. If anyone has had some experience with this company then I'll be glad for the input.

Their website is www.canyonlights.com

Thanks for your input.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

If you're really shooting 80-90 rolls in 3 days, I suggest that you're in the wrong Forum. This is Leica, not National Geographic.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), January 09, 2001.

You're right.

That # is a little high but I wouldn't be suprised if it were around 40 rolls of film (especially if each shot was bracketed) and I do bracket alot with slide film. We'll just have to wait and see but I fully intend to come back with some great chromes for my stock.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

Velvia, no doubt. Don't forget to take your enhansing filter.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), January 10, 2001.

John, I don't have any experience with the company, but I do have plenty of experience with the area, as I live in Las Vegas and travel to Moab frequently. Basically, you'll be hitting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (Capitol Reef NP is a little too far, based on your time frame). Arches can be done in one (long) day. You'll spend most time at Canyonlands, which is one of the least-visited National Parks. The most remote area is “The Maze”, which can only be accessed via 4-wheel drive vehicle. You'll be rewarded with shots most people can't get. I also like the “Needles”, but make sure you get off-road and into the back country. You may also want to do the Colorado National Monument, just outside of Grand Junction; it's not that far from Moab. Good luck and have fun!

-- john costo (mahler@lvcm.com), January 10, 2001.