I began traveling and photographing in 2008, beginning with a trip to South Africa. Since then I have been to a lot very special places, each with its own unique beauty and intrigue. But a few of these places are extra special for me and hold a very dear place in my memory. Some of these places are extraordinarily beautiful and enchanting, while others have a sacred quality that is simply captivating and sets them apart from the rest.
One of these special sacred places is Upper Antelope Canyon. It is both extraordinarily beautiful and sacred. I had seen pictures of this canyon for years and was yearning to visit and photograph it. Finally, in 2010 we made a family trip to Page, Arizona, on the shores of Lake Powell. Antelope Canyon is very near Page and is very easy to access. Making reservations with a guide in Page, we made straight for the canyon located about three miles out of town.
A Deeply Sacred Navajo Indian Canyon
Even though visiting is done along with of many other visitors crowed into the narrow slot canyon, one still gets a sense of the deep sacredness in this canyon. I can only imagine what it must have been like in years past when one could visit this canyon alone. I yearn to sit in the solitude it offers, to pray, chant, or to simply be still and listen to sound of its silence, watching the changing light.
Most of the time I spend in Upper Antelope Canyon I am looking up. The canyon was formed by flood waters and the tops are very narrow with the canyon widening toward the bottom as it is eroded and made deeper by the intermittent floods. Light comes in the narrow opening at the top and bounces off the canyon walls as it descends to the canyon floor. The color of the light progresses from warm yellow hues at the top to cooler blue hues toward the canyon floor. These colors mixing with the red of the sandstone provide an enchanting array of light and form.
On this trip I was in the canyon for about an hour, not nearly long enough to satiate me. I determined to return again and spend considerably more time, not only here but in other slot canyons in the area, like Lower Antelope and Water Holes Canyon
Notes for the Photographer:
Images taken with a 16mm lens on Canon 5D, Mk II. Tripod, cable release, manual mode. Be prepared to protect your camera from falling sand/dust. And do not to change lenses in the canyon.
If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy A Return To Antelope Canyon
Even though visiting is done along with of many other visitors crowed into the narrow slot canyon, one still gets a sense of the deep sacredness in this canyon. I can only imagine what it must have been like in years past when one could visit this canyon alone. I yearn to sit in the solitude it offers, to pray, chant, or to simply be still and listen to sound of its silence, watching the changing light.
Most of the time I spend in Upper Antelope Canyon I am looking up. The canyon was formed by flood waters and the tops are very narrow with the canyon widening toward the bottom as it is eroded and made deeper by the intermittent floods. Light comes in the narrow opening at the top and bounces off the canyon walls as it descends to the canyon floor. The color of the light progresses from warm yellow hues at the top to cooler blue hues toward the canyon floor. These colors mixing with the red of the sandstone provide an enchanting array of light and form.
On this trip I was in the canyon for about an hour, not nearly long enough to satiate me. I determined to return again and spend considerably more time, not only here but in other slot canyons in the area, like Lower Antelope and Water Holes Canyon
Notes for the Photographer:
Images taken with a 16mm lens on Canon 5D, Mk II. Tripod, cable release, manual mode. Be prepared to protect your camera from falling sand/dust. And do not to change lenses in the canyon.
If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy A Return To Antelope Canyon
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