Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

[childers-jk]

Folks,

My wife and I have decided to leave town over the New Years weekend (a 4 dayer), and we decided on Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. I haven't been to either of these, let alone in the winter, and I was wondering if any of you had some advice for a novice photog? We will probably spend a day at each place and the other two traveling and relaxing (driving is relaxing for me), and probably a small day hike at each park. I will be able to stop off in Las Vegas NV on the way to pick up some much needed supplies (b/w film, filters, etc.) but is there anything particular I should look for? What types of shots would be good to try in this environment? I am mostly a street/portrait shooter, so the landscapes elude me :bang: !! Anyway, I would really appreciate any feedback.

List of equipment I will be taking (not carrying all on the day hikes though)

Canon F-1 - numerous lenses

Bessa R - J-8 my most fav street camera

Canon Digital Rebel - mostly as backup (I'm not a big fan of digital).

Thanks in advance.

Jeff C.

 

[djon]

Take a light tripod...you'll want to photograph yourselves somewhere, probably somewhere spectacular and not handy to your car. Bryce and Zion are totally different, one full of details, the other full of big views, massive. Do prioritize your hiking over your picture-taking.

 

[ch1]

As you probably already know - January rains are always a possibility - so get some high speed B&W in case of heavy overcast skies. But, if you luck out, you'll want some slower speed stuff should we have sunny blue skies (figure filters accordingly).

50 and 35 will be good for landscapes - a 28 even better.

The digital is a good backup because of the ease of changing ISO and WB settings depending on the weather (and sometimes just putting it on AUTO is good so you can enjoy the scenery w/o worrying about camera settings).

My wife and I will be down at our house in Tucson over same time period. Let's hope we all stay dry and the deserts stay sunny!

 

[Trius]

Jeff: Drop over to apug and look up Aggie. She lives in St. George, I think, and knows Zion extremely well.

I haven't been to Zion in ages, and only in Spring or summer, so I don't know it in winter. But isn't it high desert, and might not snowshoes be handy?

Zion is my favourite national park in the US

Earl

 

[Paul Connet]

Folks,
What types of shots would be good to try in this environment? I am mostly a street/portrait shooter, so the landscapes elude me :bang: !! Anyway, I would really appreciate any feedback.
Jeff C.

Hi Jeff, unless you and your wife are blind you will not need to be told what photos to take. I have not been there in the winter but in spring and summer the colors and topography are overwhelming. Not so sure of your B&W, but I'm mostly a color guy myself. I would think winter scenics will be spectacular.

Regards, and have a great trip.
Paul C.

 

[dmr]

Zion is absolutely gaw-jus! 🙂 I haven't been there in winter, but have in autumn 2004 the last time. I haven't been to Bryce since I was young.

They won't let you drive the north canyon in Zion anymore, but the shuttle is frequent and convenient.

For film, color! Lower speed, Fuji 100 or 200 I would recommend.

I've got some Zion shots at the bottom of this page:

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas3/

These were scanned from prints. On my do-it list is to re-scan from negatives.

 

[childers-jk]

Thanks for all the info and encouragement. I have a couple of hikes planned that weather permitting will allow us to see more of the winter scapes. I am really hoping for a little snow, but so far it doesn't look too good. Anyway, thanks again all and I will post some pics when I get back.

Thanks a lot!!!!

Jeff C.