Monument Valley

[jim_whittle1]

<p>I am going to monument valley late next month. I am interested in what lenses to take. I am planning on a 12-24mm, 18-55mm and 70-200mm. Do I need to take a longer lens. I have a 200-400mm but carrying all this on the plane is an issue. Thanks</p>

[sattler123]

<p>You'll be fine with those lenses - I have never used anything longer than 100mm in Monument Valley. Don't miss a short trip to the Valley of the Gods - much less crowded than MV, no fees and free access anywhere. While you are there, check out the Gooseneck State Park.</p>

[mark_poseley]

<p>I don't think I used anything but a 24 - 70 F2.8 in MV. It could be I get overwhelmed just looking at some of these places though and don't think to switch out the glass I am using... ;)</p>

<p>I shoot for my own pleasure to simply record my travels and experiences, so if you have higher aspirations of selling prints you may want to do something different.</p>

[famico]

<p>I second Juergen's comment about Valley of the Gods and Gooseneck SP. Both are very worthwhile trips. Also, if time permits, take a ride up the Moki Dugway. It's an exciting ride, and gives you a great view of the valley floor.</p>

[eric_brody]

<p>If it is a primary photo trip, you think you might use it, and can take a given lens, do so even if it is inconvenient. You'll not regret it. I agree, the view from the top of the Moki Dugway is astounding, especially at sunset. In MV, get a good photo oriented guide so you can see beyond the simple roadside scenes. Some of the trips stop at a given location for 30 seconds, people jump out and make photos with their point and shoots and then get going again. If you are travelling a long way, spend your resources on these kinds of things and eat/stay simply so that you might have better photo opportunities. I was fortunate to go with John Sexton and Ray MacSavaney and we went to some amazing places in Mystery Valley.<br>

Good luck,<br>

Eric</p>

[david_henderson]

<p>I think you'll be fine with the lenses you indicate. If you're spending a day at MV them dawn and dusk near the visitor centre, and the loop in your own car early morning and mid a/late afternoon should see you fine, and you won't need a guide. If you're spending two/ three days or longer, or if this isn't a first trip, then there may be some mileage in getting a guide to take you to areas off limits without one, for the sake of some variety. But don't get the impression that you can only see the good stuff in MV with a guide. Take a look at Flickr- most of the good photographs made in mV are from the visitor centre or the loop. Again look at Flickr for Goosenecks and Moki Dugway. IMO these are locations you go to when you've pretty much exhausted the valley- there's a couple of good shots available from both but there's not a lot of variety especially if you're there when the sun's high in the sky- certainly nothing that should be persuading you to leave MV until you're sated. </p>

[gary_anthes]

<p>Phillips' best "tour" is all day -- "from can't see til can't see," as he puts it. He'll take you to nearby Mystery Valley, which is closed to the public, for some amazing sights. Email me if you want to see some of them. Below is a photo of Tom smoothing out foot prints in the sand so they won't show in my photo.</p><div></div>

[gary_anthes]

<p>PS Sorry I didn't address your question, but I'm just so enthusiastic about the area and about Phillips. If I were going back, I wouldn't take anything longer than 200mm.<br /> G</p>

[jim_whittle1]

<p>Thanks to everyone</p>

[miles_hecker]

<p>For those planning a trip to Monument Valley or Navajoland in general,I have just published a Navajoland Photoguide PDF.</p>

<p><img src="http://wyofoto.com/Photo_maps/Navajoland/images/Tear_Drop_cover_small.jpg" alt="" width="419" height="550" /></p>

<p>More info is available at http://wyofoto.com/Photo_maps/Navajoland/Navajoland_Photoguide_PDF.html</p>