Utah advice needed

[Wander]

A friend of mine just signed up for a conference in SLC next March and wants to go out a few days early and shoot Zion or Bryce (or both).

He's looking for info on where to go, when to be there and what to bring.
He shoots a Cannon digi SLR (not sure which one and has a 18-50 IS (I think), 70-200 IS and a 105, manfrotto tri-pod with sweet fluid head and a few flashes. I'm not a Cannon guy so I'm sorry for not knowing the specifics but I can find out if needed.

 

[nwoods]

Bryce will be covered in snow in March, though the road might be open by then. Zion is quite a bit lower. Personally, I think Zion is fresher and more unique to shoot than Bryce. It is also more difficult and arduous to shoot Zion's back country. For that reason, it's less frequently shot.

 

[Wander]

Thanks I was thinking Bryce would still be snowed in/over then but I wasn't sure. I'll tell him about Zion being a more likely location that time of year.

 

[DrMoab]

You might consider places outside the national parks. Utah is an endless wonderland of beauty. I get a little tired of seeing photos taken from all the popular spots in the parks. Some of the best photography I've seen comes from people willing to stand outside of the box a little and look for the lesser known treasures our state has to offer.

 

[pismo62]

I would consider Arches and Canyonland, which is slightly closer with maybe less snow. You could spend days there, with moab as your base.

 

[Wander]

I agree Ryan, and that is one of the reasons I asked. This is my friends first trip to Utah and so I think Bryce and Zion are the first two he thought of and maybe doesn't know what else there is-heck he could spend more time than he has in and around the Wassach range and not travel that far out of SLC. There is a picture at the local camera shop of diffused light in a slot canyon at Zion and that is his inspiration so far. He will be flying in for the conference and will have a rental so will that limit him on getting to some locations too much?

It's good to hear that Arches might be clear-that would be a good location.

Great stuff, keep it coming!- Thanks

 

[DrMoab]

If slot canyons is what he is after, have him do a little research on the subject. There are some really great ones outside of the NP's. Escalante is one area that comes to mind.

Arches and the surrounding Moab area is much closer to SLC than Zion or Bryce Canyon. I'm not sure what kind of time you will have.

 

[Wander]

I'm will not be on the trip-I wish I was. This is for a friend of mine-he is planning to add two days to his trip for photography, then he has to attend a conference. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll suggest he look into the Moab area first as that will offer him the most time to get out and shoot.

 

[fowldarr]

I don't want to play party pooper, but even arches is several hours south of SLC and with only 2 days most of it he will spend driving, not shooting pictures. I would look for great photo opportunities nearer to SLC. It seems like there are some fairly active members of this board and particularly the photo threads that are from SLC area, maybe they could chime in and suggest some closer locations.

 

[DrMoab]

I don't want to play party pooper, but even arches is several hours south of SLC and with only 2 days most of it he will spend driving, not shooting pictures. I would look for great photo opportunities nearer to SLC. It seems like there are some fairly active members of this board and particularly the photo threads that are from SLC area, maybe they could chime in and suggest some closer locations.

He said a few days early. If you had two extra days it would give you time to do a little shooting in Moab. It's only four hours south. I've driven to Moab done a little wheeling and shopping and drove home the same day. I've also done weekend trips quite often.

 

[Michael Slade]

If he wants to go to S. Utah, let him do it. There is too much to see in two days, so I think he'd really just enjoy a day through Arches and a day over at Dead Horse Point. If he wants to really shoot, he'll have to come back. This is really just a scouting trip IMO, and he'll just get a taste of what's there allowing him to make a better decision about what he wants to shoot if/when he comes back.

Moab = 4 1/2 hours south of SLC.

 

[fowldarr]

The post right above mine says two days. I'm thinking it can definately be done, but the prime hours of sunrise, sunset, will be much more limited, unless he can work his schedule around all of that. Again, doable, might be more reasonable to stay close.

 

[fowldarr]

I default my opinion to Mr. Slades, his advice on this forum has never led me astray.

 

[Wander]

Thanks guys, this is why I thought to post this for him in the first place. Having been out west (but not enough time in Utah) I know that the choices are so many and the distances much further than a guy from NC is used to that it can be overwhelming. When he told me about the slot canyon idea I was thinking, you've got to get there from SLC, hike into the canyon (if not snowed over) and be there at the right time for the shot AND still be able to hike out back to your car-pretty tough task for someone with only two days and rental wreck. The advise about areas closer to SLC is great as that will give him more time to shoot and the landscape is no less awesome. I'm also tucking away these suggestions for when I can get out there and spend a week or so.

 

[Michael Slade]

I default my opinion to Mr. Slades, his advice on this forum has never led me astray.

Be careful...those are famous last words.