Photo Ideas For Phoenix/Sedona Trip

grimace

I'll be in the greater Phoenix area in 2 weeks and I'm looking for some photo locations to hit.

I plan on hitting Sedona as well. Any suggestions for these two locations would be greatly appreciated (along with best time to shoot). Thank you.

-Adam



www.adamstravelphotography.com

DJ-S1

I was in Sedona years ago and lucky enough to see the mostly-full moon rising over the red cliffs at sunset. Don't know if the stars will align for you to see that, but if so it's very photogenic!

The big thing I did on that trip was to visit Kitt Peak Observatory. At the time, they had an observing package for $35 that included a "bag lunch" meal while watching the sunset, then guided observing with large binoculars (provided for you), and then a few hours with a 20" scope and a guide. I would highly recommend the experience.

ajgauthier

hiya -

be prepared, it's monsoon season here (Tucson/Phoenix) and we get wacked every afternoon with heavy rain. Seriously, be careful driving and DO NOT go through any part of the road that looks flooded. Really...we have a "Stupid Motorist" law here...you go in and get stuck and you pay the bill for all the emergency crews to come out and get ya! The rain comes fast and heavy and the runoff can knock someone off their feet.

That being said...

Sedona is extremely beautiful and colorful. A must have is a circular polarizing filter. Get one if you don't have one! Lots of spectacular puffy clouds around b/c of the monsoons, another added bonus! You'll also want to have a good wide angle.

Once you hit Sedona, you will be able to drive around and go where you want. You won't be satisfied with just one day! Be sure to buy a day pass so you can park on the side of the road and do excursions. A must-see is the Chapel of the Holy Cross and going up to the Airport Mesa for sunrise or sunset.

Another serious note: it's really really hot, bring tons of water, when you think you have enough, add another 2 gallons! I suggest a 3L camelback/hydropak.

Since you will be in Sedona, drive up Oak Creek Canyon on 89A - BEAUTIFUL!!! Lots of places to stop and shoot pictures.

If you are in Arizona long enough, and are staying in Phoenix...it's worth a day trip down to Tucson to go to Sabino Canyon. Again, bring lots of water and watch for flooding! For Sabino Canyon, I'd tram up to the top and walk down (4 miles). There are tram stops all along the way if you get tired. Call first, I'm not sure if anything is washed out.


best,
Adrienne

Higgmeister

Wow, can't add much more there. I was there many moons ago and Adrienne hit most of the highlights I can remember. The other place I went was Montezuma's Well which, if I recall right, is between Sedona and Phoenix.

Watch out for the heat and have a good trip,
Chris

ajgauthier

If you are in and around Phoenix/Sedona for more than a few days...it's really worth the trip from Sedona out to the Petrified Forest in Holbrook. It is extremely unique and it feels like you are on another planet. For that trip, I'd leave Sedona around 7am, it takes about 2 hours to get to the lower point of Petrified Forest. Then you just drive the 26 miles (with a loop at the end that goes through the Rainbow Desert), then hop back on the highway back to Sedona. It's a good day trip for sure and there are about 20 pull-outs through the Petrified Forest w/ walking paths and such. Again, oodles upon oodles of water. For one person, going out to the Petrified Forest, I'd bring 6 gallons of water and a cooler full of food, lots of sunblock, hat, long sleeve light colored shirt, and comfortable walking footwear. It is a very desolate trip out there from Sedona, and also the Petrified Forest is desolate, so bring everything you need and more :-)

You can google Petrified Forest to get a look, it's just such a neat place!

Adrienne

grimace

Thank You!!
Just wanted to thank everyone for all of your fine ideas!! I'll be in AZ 8/24-8/26 so hopefully I'll come back with something worth posting!!

-Adam

www.adamstravelphotography.com

grimace

Disappointed Trip
I only had 1 hr in Sedona with bad lighting but came up with these 2 shots. I guess it was more business than pleasure on this trip.

-Adam
www.adamstravelphotography.com

grimace

2nd shot
Still haven't figured out how to do multiple pics per post.
-Adam
www.adamstravelphotography.com

Dee

More than one photo per post
Since you are using smugmug to host the images it's really easy.

You already know how to get the URL for the image, hit the yellow mountain icon, hit delete, paste in the url, and hit the yellow mountain icon again.

Hit a carriage return, get the next URL, hit the yellow mountain icon, hit delete (to get rid of the http) paste in the URL, hit the yellow mountain icon again, etc....