Utah and Arizona's Canyon Country

The desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona are packed with iconic photographic opportunities. Amongst them are mesas, hoodoos, arches, slot canyons, sand dunes, balanced rocks and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon itself. All these features result from geological uplift of the Colorado Plateau over millions of years and the resulting patterns of erosion.

Photographing these natural wonders requires an understanding of light in desert environments and local knowledge to be in the right place when light is at its best. Thus tour will take you to many classic sites such as Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. We will also explore little-known wilder areas using our high clearance SUVs, which we use to maximize access to the best photographic locations.

A particular feature of this tour will be astrophotography, making use of the desert landscapes and exceptionally dark skies to capture images of the night sky with striking foregrounds. Full advice will be given on astrophotography techniques.

Our leaders are professional photographers with a thorough knowledge of the area who will guide you to take your landscape and astrophotography to the next level, as well as enhancing your understanding of these remarkable desert landscapes.

Highlights

• Photograph six spectacular National Parks and two iconic Navajo Tribal Parks

• Includes many lesser-known locations “off the beaten track”

• Sunset visits to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Canyon, Rimrocks Hoodoos, Alstrom Bay, Monument Valley, Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Pectol’s Pyramid and The Watchman to make the best use of light for photography

• Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Mesa Arch, North Window, Devil’s Garden, Bryce Canyon, Checkerboard Mesa and Towers of the Virgin

• Experience the wonderful potential of reflected light in Antelope Canyon

• Photograph the stars and Milky Way in the dark skies and striking foregrounds of Monument Valley and Arches National Park

• Capture image of the night sky over moonlit landscapes of Bryce Canyon and Zion Plateau

• Led by expert landscape photographer Robert Harvey

This is a specialist photography holiday, aimed at the keen amateur photographer, focusing on remarkable desert landscapes and night skies of the American South-West. Meal times will be fitted around the best photographic opportunities, which will often involve early starts to the day and occasional late finishes. We will be traveling by privately rented SUVs throughout (except in Zion canyon) and private boat on Lake Powell, affording plenty of space and allowing us to quickly jump out of the vehicle whenever impromptu photo opportunities present themselves. Our leaders are professional photographers, who will provide detailed guidance on shooting positions and image capture based on many years’ experience of these destinations, including astrophotography, working with reflected light and high dynamic range. The itinerary will also include digital presentations on landscape photography on the Colorado plateau, together with opportunities to review and process the group’s images taken during the tour. This comprehensive programme will ensure the best possible opportunities for participants to improve their photographic skills and return home with outstanding images of these exceptional landscapes, by both day and night.