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 p.1 #19 · Best Locations to shoot/visit in the USA for a visitor. | |
It is not cross-posted in any other boards....
Anyway, Kevin, as folks already mentioned, this country is huge and the number of National Parks is staggering. It depends a lot on how much time do you want to invest and what you want to see/photograph. I am somewhat familiar with a few of the NPs in CA, AZ and UT. Please note that some interesting locations are not located in any of the NPs. Antelope Canyons, White Pocket, the Waves, Monument Valley, etc. are not. Some are on Indian land and some are difficult to access.
I can relate to the situation with our better halves  . Like yours, her idea of visiting a foreign country means the comfort of a town/city. Mine prefers sleeping in a little, have a leisurely breakfast, rather than waking up early in the morning to catch the sunrise or staying late for sunset, etc. Sometimes based on the remote location, the lodging is less comfortable or even worse, in a tent with minimal facilities. You need to consider those aspects If your wife comes along with you, especially if she is not a photographer.
There are spots that are fairly easily accessible and you get a high dose of great photo opportunities. I would rank the Antelope Canyon on the top of the list in that respect. You take a photo tour for the upper in the morning and the lower in the evening and you will get tons of great images. Again, take photo tours operated by Native Americans. The Lower Antelope Canyon is better than the Upper but since this is your first time, you may want to do both. If you get to Page, the name of the town, in the afternoon, I would recommend going to the Horse Shoe Bend for sunset. Do both canyons the following day and you are done!
The Waves are great to photograph but there are disadvantages. You have to hike some 8 miles round trip and 2 miles in the sand. Plus, you have to get a permit and you can apply on-line and they (the Bureau of Land Management - BLM) runs a lottery to pick winners to go to the Waves. No overnight stay is allowed here. That's why the images from this location were taken during the day. I have not been to the Waves, BTW.
White Pocket, South Coyote Buttes and Monument Valley (Hunts Mesa: overlooking the Valley from a higher point) are kind of similar to each other. No need for a permit here but you pay more, significantly more but less hiking, faster access, etc. You hire an outfit, either private or Native American and you pay for them to drive you to those places. Yes, you can go on day tours but you will see more and the lighting would be better if you can stay overnight, at least, one night at each for the best lighting and also for some astro photography. You have to do the sunset and sunrise valley tour in the addition to the overnight tour to Hunts Mesa. A small group of friend photographers would be your best bet here. You hire the outfits privately and dictate the circumstances better than in a group with others that may not have the same interest. Just FYI.
Mesa Arch (sunrise), Delicate Arch (sunset) are awesome spots but the dose of photography opps is on the low side for my taste. You get less bang for your time and effort. This is my personal opinion. You hike to those spots yourself. Since this is your first time, you may want to familiarize yourself with the hike to Mesa Arch since you will be doing it in the dark and be there 30 or longer minutes before sunrise. You will be surprised that there are 20 photographers there before you juggling for the best sunrise position . Yes, you will be shooting shoulder to shoulder there. Delicate Arch is not an issue as you started hiking up there while there is plenty of light.
Grand Canyon (both the South and North Rims), Yosemite, Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion, Grand Teton etc. are NPs and you need to spend 2-3 days at each to get the most out of the individual scenic spots. Death Valley is also worth visiting, IMHO.
Kevin, this is my personal experience and some may experience things a little bit differently. BTW, if somehow possible, avoid the summer months for various reasons but heat in the SW and the number of visitors, in general are turnoffs for me, at least. Late Winter, like March or early Spring would be your best bet, I would say.
Joshua
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