Antelope Canyon, Arizona Photography Location
Visit this prime spot for photography enthusiasts in Lake Powell, Page, Arizona. Currently, there’s a single tour designed specifically for photographers, permitting tripods. To create good images, this tour is the only way to go. See below. We went here many times several years ago. It seems things are so much different for some reason. The bus driver stopped because I got so excited about this shot below. He pulled the bus over so we could take this picture!
ANTELOPE CANYON
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Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona, consists of two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon (The Crack) and Lower Antelope Canyon (The Corkscrew). Named after the pronghorn antelope that once roamed the area, its discovery date is unknown. Local Navajos recall it as a winter grazing area for cattle. For older Navajos, entering the canyon was akin to entering a cathedral, requiring a respectful mindset to connect with nature spiritually.
Upper Antelope Canyon, known as Tse’ bighanilini (“the place where water runs through rocks”), is at 4,000 feet elevation and has walls 120 feet high. Lower Antelope Canyon, called Hazdistazí (“spiral rock arches”), is more challenging, with narrow paths and uneven footing, and it ends with a climb up several flights of stairs.
BEST TIME TO GO
We definitely like the winter months when there are no crowds, but the light is better in the summer, but all the humans are there.
HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH
The tour that allows tripods is a three-hour tour (longer than most other non-photographer tours). The others are 1-2 hours.
HOW TO GET THERE
TADIDIIN TOURS – MAP OF THE AREA
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY
Tons of photography near here! Horse Shoe Bend, Lake Powell, Lee’s Ferry and more. See our Arizona Hot Spot Page.
HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?
When going on the tour with this company, they limit the number of people on the tour, but there will be other tours going through, so again, we like the off-season months for this. Seasonally, it may get very busy.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
On the TAADIDIIN Photography Tour only:
- Children are not recommended on this tour.
- All customers must be able to walk unassisted on uneven surfaces and elevation changes with their camera bag.
- Landscape Photography Workshops are accepted. Please apply for a permit no less than four weeks before the tour date. If you have any questions, you can reach out to our Reservation Coordinator at antelopecanyonx@gmail.com OR call the Lake Powell Tribal Park and Recreation office number below.
- The Special Use permit issued by the Lake Powell Tribal Park and Recreation office can be obtained by calling (928) 645-0268.
- Pets are not allowed.
RESTAURANTS, CAMPING & WEATHER – SEE BELOW
Antelope Canyon Photography Information
NOTICE: Tripods are prohibited on tours, except for this specific company – TAADIDIIN TOURS LLC
$133.00 – ANTELOPE CANYON PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE – 3-Hour Tour. This is the premier tour for photography enthusiasts.
Many bloggers tell everyone that tripods are not allowed. They are not investigators like we are. We found the only company that will allow them. This company welcomes camera equipment and is uniquely tailored for photographers. We are highlighting this option for you.
NON-PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS: If you’re using our publication merely as a travel guide, you’ll find other companies listed below, but they do not permit tripod use.
CONTACT TAADIDIIN TOURS:
Reservations – +1 928-660-8890 – acx.reservations@gmail.com – Milepost 308 Highway AZ-98 – Page, AZ 86040 US
You can get some amazing abstract shots inside the canyon. We went in December, so very few people were in our way. Without a tripod, you will have to increase your ISO quite a bit and shoot wide open (F/2.8 or as low as your lens will allow). You can use Topaz Noise Reduction or other software to reduce the noise of the image later.
SHOOTING ON A TRIPOD – MANUAL MODE:
- Put your camera on the tripod and set your camera to manual mode.
- Set the lowest ISO possible on your camera, 50 or 100 or low mode, depending on the camera. This avoids grain in the pictures.
- Set your aperture to somewhere around F/8 to get the depth of field of the rocks.
- Scroll your shutter speed until the camera meter is at 0.
- This should give you the proper exposure, but you can adjust your shutter speed from here.
We liked it in December when we had two people on our tour. We went back in March; again, very few people were around.
You will want to use your tripod on your shots since the location lacks light. Your tour guide will point out all of the good spots for photography. Please don’t listen to a word they say. What does a tour guide know about creating dynamic images? You might find one who is a good photographer, but they all tell you to shoot the same spots. Secondly, when the tour guide tells all photographers to go to the right to take a shot, don’t listen, to be creative, go to the left. You have to work harder to get that here since it is one of the most photographed spots in Arizona.
The Best Time is between March and October (11 am—1 pm), so the photography guides told me. We went in December, when we had two people on our tour. We went back in March; again, very few people were around.
SIDE NOTE: Many bloggers know nothing about photography and let AI write articles for them. Be very careful who you listen to and pick your sources on how to do photography wisely.
Wide-Angle Lens—You will want to use a wide-angle lens here. People go by, and dirt gets in the air, so don’t plan on changing your lens.
Tripod – HERE ARE OUR FAVORITES
Flashlight—Bring a flashlight to focus on a spot, then set your lens to focus manually for this image while on a tripod. It’s dark here, and your camera will not focus on all the shots. Maybe no one will notice that you turned on your flashlight—well, almost no one. It’s probably a more acceptable practice in photography than the regular tour, but check with the tour before you go. We will be talking to them about thier other tours so that we will ask them.
Coast – XP11R Rechargeable Dual Power LED Flashlight, 3000 Lumens
Our Favorite Coast Flashlight for light painting photography – Coast HP7R 300 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight with Slide Focus, Black
UPPER AND LOWER CANYONS
Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Ideal for photographing light beams, particularly from 11 AM to 1 PM during summer.
– Offers a flat terrain for a more leisurely hike.
– Tends to be more crowded.
– Offers fewer tour choices because of stricter regulations on photography tours.
Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Features a narrower and more varied landscape, perfect for imaginative shot composition.
– Less frequented than Upper Antelope, although still a major attraction.
– Requires climbing stairs or ladders and navigating confined spaces.
LIGHTING AND TIME OF YEAR
Spring & Summer (March – September): The brightest rays are most prevalent during this period, usually appearing from late morning to early afternoon.
Fall & Winter (October – February): Although light rays are seldom seen, the canyon becomes less busy.
The beams of light occur between the months of April and September. They are a bit smaller at the beginning of April and the end of October and don’t last as long. They appear around noon.
CARDIAC CANYON PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
Six-Hour Tour! Now we’re really excited!
The same company mentioned above, TAADIDIIN TOURS LLC, also does this lesser-known tour, which is also geared towards photographers. Our staff is so excited that we are considering jumping on the next plane. This will have fewer people, less interference, and fewer people walking directly in front of your tripod while you are shooting. For $324.00, it is well worth the investment to get incredible photos and a spiritual experience.
We are reaching out to the company and more details will follow… if we are off on a plane, you might have to wait a week… j/k.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
Park and Area Information:
Here is all you need to know before you go. We have been here several times. The canyon is about 10 degrees cooler, so dress accordingly.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
- The temperature is usually five to ten degrees cooler, all year around in the canyons. Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
Tours of Antelope Canyon:
Adventurous Antelope Canyon
www.navajoantelopecanyon.com
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
www.navajotours.com
(928) 698-3384
Grand Circle Adventures
www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
(928) 645-5594
Overland Canyon Tours (Canyon X)
www.overlandcanyon.com
(928) 608-4072
Tse Bighanilini Tours
1.5 hour tour – $92 – @112.00
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Entrance Fee: Weekly Passes, Annual Permits and Boating fees.
1-7 Day Vehicle Pass – $30
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
1-7 Day Individual Permit – $15 per person
Admits one individual when entering on foot or by bicycle. Not to exceed a $15 vehicle fee. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free.
Glen Canyon NRA Annual Pass – $55
Allows unlimited entry to Glen Canyon for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Hotel Information:
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Two outdoor pools, one with a bar
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Restaurants include Latitude 37, a floating restaurant on the lake
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Boat tours and rentals are available.
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Fitness center with machines and sauna
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Large gift shop
Best Western Plus at Lake Powell – $250.00/Night – 208 N Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ 86040 – Phone: 928/645-5988
The Best Western Plus at Lake Powell is within walking distance of many local restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. The hotel is also a short distance from Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon State at this Page, AZ hotel, which not only offers scenic landscapes but also offers easy access to many of the area’s photography locations.
Restaurants:
Rivers End Café – 130 6th Ave – Page, AZ 86040 – Phone (928) 645-9175
At Rivers End, you can eat healthy and vegan. We suggest you try their Veggi Hummus Sandwich, Veggi Wrap, or select healthy salads.
Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge – 644 N Navajo Dr – Page, AZ 86040 – Phone (928) 645-0007
The Blue Buddha Lounge is home to a delicious way of eating: a variety of mouth-watering raw fish, select vegetables, rice and mystical seaweed. The Blue Buddha offers oriental cuisine that will not soon be forgotten.
Area Weather:
Find the local weather here.
