The Navajo Nation
Various scenes taken in and around the Navajo Nation that takes up Northeastern Arizona.
During March 2013, on a whim I decided to travel back to Arizona for some photography. I've seen photos of The Grand Falls of The Little Colorado River for years in magazines such as Arizona Highways. For the uninitiated, Grand Falls is about thirty miles outside of Flagstaff Arizona on the Navajo Nation, located far from any paved road. The falls were created by an ancient lava flow from the Merriam Crater filling the box canyon of the river. The river then went skirted around this newly formed dam and rejoined the canyon by spilling over the edge of the cliffs at the intersection of the lava flow and the canyon. The results of the river's detour is impressive, and at 185 feet tall, Grand Falls is actually higher overall than Niagara Falls, but unlike its more famous cousin, Grand Falls can be dry most of the year.
With a near full moon on the horizon at the end of the month, I wanted to try to get a shot of these iconic falls in the lunar glow. Driving 300+ miles from Albuquerque to Flagstaff and back for a few photos of a waterfall would be fun, but I wanted other locations to justify my expense of making this trip (though in a MINI Cooper, the fuel expense is low, and the fun is high). The original plan was to hit Sedona Arizona and shoot the iconic Cathedral Rock the next night, but other plans soon unfolded. Because Grand Falls is on the Navajo Nation, a Commercial Photo Permit is required for non personal photos, and since I have these for sale for you to purchase, I played nice and purchased one. In doing so, it was good for a week, and I suddenly got the idea to head to Antelope Canyon near Page instead of going to Sedona.
Having seen Antelope Canyon in Arizona Highways, I had always wanted to see this natural wonder of sandstone. Since the rise in popularity of the social network Instagram, I've began to follow some seriously good photographers, thorough which I found a man named Lionel BigThumb, a fellow Nikon photographer, whose family runs Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. While I was not able to go on a tour with Lionel personally, my tour was nothing short of exceptional, as I was the only one on the photographer's tour, which was aimed at those who want professional quality shots ala Arizona Highways. The guides will hold back traffic in the canyon so that you can get a crowd free photo throughout this sandstone cathedral.
Read MoreDuring March 2013, on a whim I decided to travel back to Arizona for some photography. I've seen photos of The Grand Falls of The Little Colorado River for years in magazines such as Arizona Highways. For the uninitiated, Grand Falls is about thirty miles outside of Flagstaff Arizona on the Navajo Nation, located far from any paved road. The falls were created by an ancient lava flow from the Merriam Crater filling the box canyon of the river. The river then went skirted around this newly formed dam and rejoined the canyon by spilling over the edge of the cliffs at the intersection of the lava flow and the canyon. The results of the river's detour is impressive, and at 185 feet tall, Grand Falls is actually higher overall than Niagara Falls, but unlike its more famous cousin, Grand Falls can be dry most of the year.
With a near full moon on the horizon at the end of the month, I wanted to try to get a shot of these iconic falls in the lunar glow. Driving 300+ miles from Albuquerque to Flagstaff and back for a few photos of a waterfall would be fun, but I wanted other locations to justify my expense of making this trip (though in a MINI Cooper, the fuel expense is low, and the fun is high). The original plan was to hit Sedona Arizona and shoot the iconic Cathedral Rock the next night, but other plans soon unfolded. Because Grand Falls is on the Navajo Nation, a Commercial Photo Permit is required for non personal photos, and since I have these for sale for you to purchase, I played nice and purchased one. In doing so, it was good for a week, and I suddenly got the idea to head to Antelope Canyon near Page instead of going to Sedona.
Having seen Antelope Canyon in Arizona Highways, I had always wanted to see this natural wonder of sandstone. Since the rise in popularity of the social network Instagram, I've began to follow some seriously good photographers, thorough which I found a man named Lionel BigThumb, a fellow Nikon photographer, whose family runs Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. While I was not able to go on a tour with Lionel personally, my tour was nothing short of exceptional, as I was the only one on the photographer's tour, which was aimed at those who want professional quality shots ala Arizona Highways. The guides will hold back traffic in the canyon so that you can get a crowd free photo throughout this sandstone cathedral.
Tsé Bit'a'i ("rock with wings" "winged rock"), better known as Shiprock rises from the high desert of the Four Corners. Silhouetted against the setting sun, the outline is unmistakable.
The "(Real) Monument Valley Sunrise", not that faux one I caught in Antelope Canyon years ago. See: This Photo . HDR version of earlier composition.
The Grand Falls of the Little Colorado river tumble from the around the lava flow that diverted the flow many millennia ago. To the right one can see the lava flow that filled the canyon here to create these majestic falls.
"Monument Valley Sunrise"
The "(Real) Monument Valley Sunrise", not that faux one I caught in Antelope Canyon years ago. See: This Photo .