I'd also bring along a set of knee pads and lightweight gloves, especially if you break away from the same-old same-old slot shots that everyone jostles for and explore the less well-known. In the popular slots you'll deal with lots of people and rushed schedules in many cases, but if you search out your own, you'll have all the time and none of the hassles.
Why knee pads and gloves? Because shooting with your camera at shoulder height in the middle of the slot only reveals a slim fraction of a slot's potential. Getting down low or moving to the sides will be a revelation, but in a long day of shooting you'll badly abrade your hands and knees. I just use standard lighweight leather work gloves available in most hardware stores. Rather than the big knee pads used by laborers and gardeners, I prefer to wear Carhart pants and the little knee pads they sell to slip in between the two layers of fabric over your knees. You'll never even notice them, but you'll sure miss them when you put on another pair of Carharts without them. They're really cheap and washable. Just roll them up and push them up through the hole provided at the bottom of the doubled fabric layer and unfurl them. No need to remove them ever again, because they're completely washable and dryer-proof.
You'll thank me for that tip! And you'll certainly become a fan of Carharts for desert photography.
I`m already thanking you since it is obvious that you know the canyons. Could you please provide me with a number of locations off the beaten track. Here I`d hope that you could provide me with Google Earth coordinates. I`m planning on using Page as my base and working from there. What is your advice in this regard? It seems as if the visit will take place round about last 2 weeks of March 2010 or first 2 weeks of April.
Posted by William Lloyd on October 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Use of a right angle adapter, or "angle finder" adaper, is very helpful in smaller, tighter canyons such as Upper Antelope. It can be very cool inside, at any time of the year - dress layered.
Posted by Warren Xato on November 9, 2009 at 2:47 AM
I'm sure that you have found this site but just to be double sure:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html
It is most beautiful and you`re right it will last for MANY vacations. Thanks.
Posted by Varina Patel on December 26, 2009 at 8:20 PM
I agree with John, here. Shoot RAW and set your white balance when you process.
I love to shoot wide - and in a slot canyon, a wide angle lens is a lot of fun. I've attached a high-key shot from Peek a Boo Slot in Utah. Gorgeous place. I could climb around in this narrow canyons for months and still not get tired of them!
Try to shoot in overcast conditions - soft, even, lighting will help keep your shots looking great. In sunny conditions, you'll find that the bottom of the canyon is very dark, and the top is very bright. The camera has trouble with so much dynamic range, so even lighting will make a big difference. You'll still get nice shadows and highlights - but they'll be subtle and appealing.
Have a fantastic time - and good luck!
EDIT: And don't forget your tripod! You'll have to get creative with setting it up... use the walls as well as the floor to rest the legs. You may need longer shutter speeds in darker areas, and the tripod will be invaluable!
Discussion
7 repliesWhat would be the best lens to photograph inside the slot canyons? Preset or custom white balance?
Thanks.
Set AWB, shoot in RAW and then choose the best white balance later in postprocess.
Why knee pads and gloves? Because shooting with your camera at shoulder height in the middle of the slot only reveals a slim fraction of a slot's potential. Getting down low or moving to the sides will be a revelation, but in a long day of shooting you'll badly abrade your hands and knees. I just use standard lighweight leather work gloves available in most hardware stores. Rather than the big knee pads used by laborers and gardeners, I prefer to wear Carhart pants and the little knee pads they sell to slip in between the two layers of fabric over your knees. You'll never even notice them, but you'll sure miss them when you put on another pair of Carharts without them. They're really cheap and washable. Just roll them up and push them up through the hole provided at the bottom of the doubled fabric layer and unfurl them. No need to remove them ever again, because they're completely washable and dryer-proof.
You'll thank me for that tip! And you'll certainly become a fan of Carharts for desert photography.
I`m already thanking you since it is obvious that you know the canyons. Could you please provide me with a number of locations off the beaten track. Here I`d hope that you could provide me with Google Earth coordinates. I`m planning on using Page as my base and working from there. What is your advice in this regard? It seems as if the visit will take place round about last 2 weeks of March 2010 or first 2 weeks of April.
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html
This should hold you for several vacations.
Warren
Is if I`m not yet crazy enough
It is most beautiful and you`re right it will last for MANY vacations. Thanks.
I love to shoot wide - and in a slot canyon, a wide angle lens is a lot of fun. I've attached a high-key shot from Peek a Boo Slot in Utah. Gorgeous place. I could climb around in this narrow canyons for months and still not get tired of them!
Try to shoot in overcast conditions - soft, even, lighting will help keep your shots looking great. In sunny conditions, you'll find that the bottom of the canyon is very dark, and the top is very bright. The camera has trouble with so much dynamic range, so even lighting will make a big difference. You'll still get nice shadows and highlights - but they'll be subtle and appealing.
Have a fantastic time - and good luck!
EDIT: And don't forget your tripod! You'll have to get creative with setting it up... use the walls as well as the floor to rest the legs. You may need longer shutter speeds in darker areas, and the tripod will be invaluable!