going to the grand canyon

[AlphaDogPhoto]

Just keep shooting and keep learning.

It takes time, being able to know what the effect of different shutter speeds and aperture values will have on your photos is a never ending process of trial and error.

At least with digital you can see what the results are right away.

Try Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to adjust your photos, it works well, it's not photoshop elements, or lightroom or photoshop, but if it's all you got, you might as well use it. (It's free, it should have come on the CD when you purchased your camera)

[Marcuscarcus]

I might just buy photoshop elements. I bet you there isn't a lot that I need that elements can't do. I also figure that many of the controls and functions are done the same. I just feel that if i learned on photoshop then i should keep learning on photoshop. (iphoto is what i used on some of those photos to tweak the levels. really not that bad of a program but i want dodge functions and selections)
I may try and get a used version of photoshop.

Also i agree with you on the shooting and learning thing. When/if i go back to antelope valley and bryce i know things that i would do differently(bring a partial nd filter for sure)

[rpcrowe]

IMO, there are a few pieces of equipment which are just about indispensable for shooting the Southwest in general and the Grand Canyon specifically

1. Polarizing filter... don't leave home without it.

2. Tripod for all types of photography. It is amazing what quality you can get from a consumer grade lens when you support it on a stable tripod and shoot around f/8 or f/11 (but no smaller f/stop because of image quality loss through diffraction).
Tripods are also great when you shoot with auto exposure bracketing. I like a three shot sequence right on and plus and minus 2 stops for the harsh lighting conditions in the Southwest. You can also combine these three exposures into a HDR image.
Tripods are great (but, not ABSOLUTELY essential) for shooting panos. IMO, you can capture the grandeur of the Southwest and Grand Canyon better with a pano sequence than you can with a wide angle lens. I like to use an L-bracket so I can shoot my panos with the camera in the vertical position. This gives me greater coverage top to bottom and allows me to use a longer focal length lens. The left to right coverage is simply predicated on how many exposures you shoot. BTW: a CPL, while wonderful for most shots, is often detrimental to a pano because the polarization will be different from one side of the pano strip to the other.

3. UV filter. I don't use them all the time but, you will often find dust blowing in various parts of Arizona and the UV will protect your lens. A lens brush and a cleaning cloth can come in handy also.

4. Lens hood. This is essential IMO for any type of photography.

5. Some sort of photography related guide book (or Google research on your destination using the term "Grand Canyon Photo Tips"). A great photo specific guide book such as Photographing The Southwest, Vol-2, Arizona by Laurent Martres will give you pointers about specific times and places to shoot.

Amazon.com: Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona (2nd Ed.) (Photographing the Southwest) (9780916189136): Laurent Martres: Books

6. Sunblock - the sun at higher elevations can cause a nasty burn.

Don't forget to isolate portions of the scenery using the long end of your lens. Those shots often are more picturesque than the overall views.

There are fewer people on the North Rim but, I really like the South Rim better for pictures. The angle of the sun will really change the appearance of any desert vista. It may be flat and uninteresting at mid day but, very exciting early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is lower.

The Havasupai Tribe has built a fantastic Skywalk on their reservation at the Grand canyon but, the last I heard, you cannot bring a camera on the Sky Walk. They say it is to protect the glass you are walking on but, I think that it is to protect their sales of souvenir photos. Anyway, I wouldn't make the long drive over the desert (part of it unpaved) if I could not photograph on the Skywalk!

Finally, have your camera ready to shoot as you are driving off the Interstates in Arizona. You will often see wildlife along the roads and if your camera is safely tucked away in a camera bag, you will miss the shot.

[aspencade]

My biggest tip is leave yourself plenty of time when you get there so as to take it all in.Your memories will be the thing you recall most. You will never get a photograph to show how Fantastic it really is...I remember going to Yellowstone Park some years ago and watched OLD FAITHFUL through a 2inch B&W screen on my VHS Camcorder while my wife had the delight of seeing it normally, something that I will always regret......Paul

[AlphaDogPhoto]

You realize that the OP has gone to the Grand Canyon and returned by now, right?

[NewB]

eagerly waiting for the pictures.

Regards
NewB

[B..]

Originally Posted by AlphaDogPhoto

You realize that the OP has gone to the Grand Canyon and returned by now, right?

That's OK ... six months or a year from now, someone who is going to the Grand Canyon will search for Grand Canyon help and will find this thread. So if there are more words of wisdom to add, it's still on-topic.

I'm going to Niagara Falls later this month. Yes, I did search for all of the Niagara Falls photo hints. Found some good hints on a older thread. Who cares when the OP went? The wisdom is still applicable!

[Marcuscarcus]

I have been and went. I really learned alot. I need to get photoshop (since i have some ok photoshops skills) there is a lot of PP that I want to do on the shots.
I still appreciate the responses though. keep them coming.

[rickp1]

Hey guys,
I'm off to the GC next month so through searching I came across this thread. I'm not a pro at all, just really enjoy photography. I'm taking my canon 50D with me and the 2 lenses I have. The one that came with it and a 70-200 IS lens.

I read above that a Polarizing filter is a must, is there more than one type or is it like the UV lens I have? What exactely will this do for me?

What are good settings to have dialed in on the camera for late day pictures.

THakns in advance to any help.

R.

[Pen]

im going to the grand canyon in a little less than a year, stuff posted on here can always help other people. not just the OP