Grand Canyon - Final

[Teton Chuck]

This is the last installment of my raft trip through the Grand Canyon. From a photographic standpoint it is a difficult place to work. The conditions are harsh, you are at the mercy of when and where the rafts go and stop, and most of the time you have lighting conditions that do not favor good photography. I took too much equipment. I should have left my D7000 and 80 – 400 lens at home. I didn’t use it. The tripod was absolutely necessary to photograph at night and in the shady canyons. The good news is that it is a trip of a lifetime. I have roamed the rims of the Grand Canyon, hiked to the bottom and back up another trail, and floated through the entire length of the canyon. My conclusion is that no matter how you try to know the place it is too big to comprehend. I will have to be satisfied with the parts as I have experienced them.

This last set of photographs are of Havasu Creek. Havasu Creek flows into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Its blue color is due to a high concentration of calcium carbonate. I worked about a hundred-yard stretch of the creek. I would like to spend at least a week there.

As we ended our trip we were floating through a narrow gorge. A staff member picked up a flute and started to play. All twenty-four people became silent. I think it was out of respect for a place that is incomprehensible in its size and beauty. It was a spiritual experience. Thank you for letting me share it with you.

[Shadowman]

Nice conclusion to the series. Regarding the harshness of the trip and the raft, was it due to stabilizing the camera, protecting the camera from the elements, or a bit of both?

[Teton Chuck]

John, It was mostly due to protecting the camera from the elements. I seldom used the camera in the raft. I would get it out just in time for another soaking rapid. And on land there was sand and dust everywhere. Shooting this set of photos I waded into the creek and shot from there. At one point I dropped my remote trigger into the stream. I couldn't believe when it still worked.

[Donald]

As we ended our trip we were floating through a narrow gorge. A staff member picked up a flute and started to play. All twenty-four people became silent. I think it was out of respect for a place that is incomprehensible in its size and beauty. It was a spiritual experience. Thank you for letting me share it with you.

Thank you for sharing it. We have been informed, educated and entertained.

[Nicks Pics]

These are indeed beautiful creeks and waterfalls. The soft colors of the rocks and water compliment one another nicely. Thanks for sharing.

[Mike Buckley]

Sorry to learn that your series has come to an end. The photos and narrative in all four threads have been really enjoyable.

From a photographic standpoint it is a difficult place to work. The conditions are harsh, you are at the mercy of when and where the rafts go and stop, and most of the time you have lighting conditions that do not favor good photography...The good news is that it is a trip of a lifetime.

Those were also my experiences.

I have roamed the rims of the Grand Canyon, hiked to the bottom and back up another trail, and floated through the entire length of the canyon.

Hopefully you get to add a flight over the canyon to those perspectives. The best flights by far depart from the South Rim unless something drastic has changed since I was last there. Even so...

My conclusion is that no matter how you try to know the place it is too big to comprehend.

Completely agreed. That's one reason I especially like Canyon de Chelly; it's really beautiful but small enough that it's far easier to comprehend.

[bnnrcn]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with your lovely photos and stories Chuck

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback and encouragement as I shared this adventure with the CIC community. When I was younger I climbed lots of mountains, canoed the rivers and lakes, went to remote fishing holes. I was always going to a destination. But since I have taken up photography I have learned to stop and look, and listen, and feel what is around me. It has helped me discover a the world that in the past I walked through. On my trip through the Grand Canyon I was aboard a raft that was going to a destination. I couldn't miss the boat. But oh what I would have given to have had the opportunity to sit for two hours for the light to be just right.

By the way, I hope you take time to view this set in llytebox.

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback and encouragement as I shared this adventure with the CIC community. When I was younger I climbed lots of mountains, canoed the rivers and lakes, went to remote fishing holes. I was always going to a destination. But since I have taken up photography I have learned to stop and look, and listen, and feel what is around me. It has helped me discover a the world that in the past I walked through. On my trip through the Grand Canyon I was aboard a raft that was going to a destination. I couldn't miss the boat. But oh what I would have given to have had the opportunity to sit for two hours for the light to be just right.

By the way, I hope you take time to view this set in llytebox.

It is certainly worth the while to sit quietly and soak in the beauty of the earth... at least so they say, I'm sure it would be worth it if I wasn't usually going at a busier pace.

Where will you be posting images from next? I wouldn't think Yellowstone is getting much more attractive as we get closer to winter! (except for to shoot winter scenes, at least)

[Stagecoach]

This has been an interesting series Chuck especially seeing these closer details that are not what's normally seen.

No 4 has a magical feel about due to the light it when viewed in the lytebox.

[IzzieK]

Quiet reverence. I am sorry your series here came to an end. Very nice narratives and most of your shots are tack sharp and composed well. Here in this last one, I love the first and the last. The first one both catered to my taste here in the water presentation. Each of your shots conveyed the beauty of the place which you captured so well. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me, us...here at CiC. Though we missed the physical experience, we do not have to get wet...you did.

[Teton Chuck]

Nick, Grahame and Izzie, Thanks for the comments. Grahame, number 4 is one of my favorites too. It is taken on one of the surviving pools. Apparently the canyon had many of these in the past, but they were destroyed in a flood. If you look at #5 you can see the pool on the left side of the photo. It was protected by the rocks directly in back of it. Maybe my favorite part of #4 is the leaves on the edge of the pool. Izzie, I was afraid you would not like this series because of the silky texture of the water. I'm glad that you found some that worked for you. Nick, I just returned from Yellowstone just before it was closed for the season. I think I will have a few photos to share. Brace yourself.

[rpcrowe]

Chuck,
I like the way you used the slow shutter speed to smooth out the water but not turn it into cotton candy. Lovely images!

I don't know of any underwater digital camera that produces high quality images. My Fuji XP60 is the kind of rugged camera that you could use on a trip like that. Unfortunately the XP60 image quality is only adequate. I purchased mine to carry on fishing trips. I was in a weather front on Mexico's Sea of Cortez in which we received green water over our boat. A "weatherproof" camera would not have stood up under that type of drenching. I don't need the optimum quality to document images of my catches. The XP60 only cost me $80 (USD) used and is adequate for my needs...

[IzzieK]

+1 to Richard's comment about the water -- so I can hardly wait for your Yellowstone shots too.
Cheers...