Canyon X

"Canyon X" is located near Lake Powell. Canyon X can only be accessed by guided tour because of it's remote location on Navajo land. Contact Jackson Bridges & Harley Klemme of Overland Canyon Tours if you want to explore and photograph this beautiful canyon. You can find a link to their websites on the Tours & Links page. The first 2 photos were taken within minutes of each other. Just a filter change gave us two unique, and different compositions.







Because these photos were shot in February the sun was low in the sky. During the summer months the angle of the sun in almost directly overhead. This gives you a much larger photo window, and this longer duration of light streaming down into the canyon makes photography somewhat easier.








Most of the photographs were taken with Fuji film. Provia 100, Fuji Velvia, and many of the other Fujichrome. Great color, with a touch of green, Kodak has a touch of blue.









These photographs were taken with my Sigma 17-35mm lens set at 20mm. I use Nikon camera equipment, a Nikon N90s camera,and a Nikon N8008 as a backup. The lenses are Sigma 17-35mm, Sigma 28-105mm, and a Nikon 75-300mm.









We stayed in Canyon X for aproximately 4 hours. After the morning light was gone we headed out of the canyon.










Exploring this part of the Southwest is rewarding because of all the slot canyons, and interesting features of the surrounding landscape. If a canyon doesn't live up to your expectations, there is always one not too far away that will satisfy your photographic requirements.











Antelope Canyons

Look for faces and shapes in the stone, see how many you can find. In these photos there are a few that are easily recognizable, one looks a little like "Darth Vader". In one of the photos there's a face in stone in the lower part of the back of the slot canyon seemingly watching over those who enter. The shape reminds me of an indian chief.





Once you've entered the canyon it's worth taking the time to walk through the whole canyon, whether upper, or lower antelope. The light enters these canyons through out the day, so there is no best time to be in these canyons. As the sun rises in the sky more light will pour through the slots in the top of the canyon. Late morning, to early afternoon I've gotten some of my best photographs. But don't limit yourself, each part of the canyons has it's own personality, and you'll have to figure how you want to compose your photograph by watching the light over a duration of time.











Look at the back of the canyon, you can see a face watching over you? What do you think? Magenta, and Enhancing filters will bring the purple, blues, and reds out of the canyon walls, but just the natural light streaming down through the canyon is enough for a great photograph. You could visit these canyons hundreds of times and come away with great photos.










Bracketing your photographs is almost a must. Three to five exposures are probably the best combinations to use. If you have a camera with "Matrix" metering, set the exposure, then bracket -1,-2, +1, and +2. This should give you a decent exposure. If you have tried this method, and haven't been successful you probably have exceeded the limits of your camera, lens, or film. My own camera is equipped with a light metering system which allows me to use Matrix, Center-weighted, and Spot metering.










A tip when using your cameras metering systems. Adding exposure to the darker areas of your compositions will have a greater effect on a photograph than adding exposure to the lighter areas. You can add an f-stop of exposure to try to bring in a dark area of a composition with a lessor effect to the lighter areas of your photograph. So if you see that a portion of you composition appeals to you which needs more exposure adding an f-stop will not take too much away from the lighter areas.











Using a spot meter ... bring a pencil and a lot of graph paper there are a couple of averaging methods that can, and are being used successfully. But experience will be a greater asset to you than a $1000 spot meter, and a book on a certain exposure method. There are some great local guides that can help you make the most of you visit.










You will see photographs of "Water Holes Canyon" along with the Antelope Canyons on these pages. Water Holes canyon has portions which are worth exploring, and photographing. Even though this canyon can be accessed directly off the highway, a permit is still required from the local Chapter House of the Navajo Nation. Most the canyons in this area are on Indian land. All that the Navajos ask is a small fee of $5-10, and the knowledge that you are on Indian land. Common courtesy is all that is requested.














Lower Antelope Canyon is on the opposite side of the highway from Upper Antelope Canyon. This canyon is deeper, and must be accessed by ladders. The Navajos have install metal ladders, and stairways which make access into this canyon very easy. In 1997 a tragedy occurred here when 11 lives were lost. A flash flood roared through this canyon while a guided tour was exploring, the speed and volume of the rushing water was impossible for these people to escape. Because you are descending into a deep slot canyon remember you are vulnerable to the threat of a flash flood. The flash flood tragedy of 1997 could have been prevented with just the use of common sense. Check the weather before entering into Lower Antelope.









"Sleeping Chief", as this stone face peers through the slot in Lower Antelope it's hard not to see a peaceful face resting in the back of this canyon. Yes a little imagination is required, but you can see how easy it can be to imagine faces, forms, and visions trapped within the walls.













"Mask of Zorro",yes this is definitely a stretch, but I look for artistic expression within my work. It does look like the mask of Zorro doesn't it? Many of the photographs you'll see print beautifully in a 11x16 format with white matting.













Many of the walls have streaks of light touching the edges of each turn. Just a little change in the camera angle, and you have a totally different composition. In Lower Antelope you can lose track of time. Hours just pass by. Be careful, don't forget where you are.












It truly is amazing how many colors you can capture in one photograph. Remember these are just stone walls, no grass, trees, or flowers to give you color. Somehow purple, brown, and yellow came through my lens on this photograph.













Ahh yes, a tripod, don't forget that piece of equipment, or you'll need some extremely fast film, really fast. I have found myself in some strange positions trying to photograph parts of these canyons, a trip to my chiropractor was needed after one.








My friend Greg Wills posed for this photograph in Lower Antelope to show how small people are in comparison to the depth of these canyons. The canyon is actually 30 higher at this point, but because of film burnout was cut off so you could see the color of the natural walls. Going into these canyons with a tour guide, or at least a friend is wise. A check of the skies every once in awhile is also a good idea. It's worth the time to just take a trip outside and look up. Weather systems in this area of the country can change quickly. The 1997 flash flood started 13 miles away.







Another thing to think about is clothing. Even though you may visit these canyons in the summer, remember that the canyons are cut off from full sunlight. They are slot canyons, and a long sleeve shirt is worth packing. If you are brave enough to venture into a slot during the winter you'd better bring lots of clothing. On a recent trip I wore sweats underneath my regular clothing. A wool cap, and gloves, and I still was cold. I would run out into the sun every hour or so. There's very little light down and because of that very little heat either.








"Waves in Stone", when the flash floods come through these canyons they cut wave patterns over the solid rock walls. Then the light seemingly follows the wave with it's own bit of artistry.











Finally, leave these canyons as you find them. It's taken hundreds of years (I Don't believe it took "Billions" of years) to scupture the beautiful curves that filter the light that passes into them. And the sandstone walls are a rare gift for our eyes to behold, and to share with all who venture into them.










WARNING! If you venture into non-guided canyons during the summer months, especially in the late afternoon, be VERY CAREFUL! Watch out for critters ... Like snakes. Remember that this is their home, and you're visiting!

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