Arizona in Mid May

[Scott Walker]

I am going to be in the Phoenix area in May (specificaly 15th to 23rd) with my 8x10 and 4x5. Any tips on shooting in the desert or good locations/times would be greatly appreciated. I have only been in the area once before and spent most of my time on the golf course but I did get out on horseback one day with the 35mm and managed to get some decent images. Which brings me to my next question, what is the best way to travel the countryside with a couple of big cameras. I like the horse idea but it's impractical for short visits. I saw lots of different kinds of ATV's and that might be the best way to go but I don't know the regulations in the area parks etc.

[memorris]

May is usually a month of transition here. It is warm but not too bad at the beginning but by the end it is usually way too hot. So depending on the weather you may be disinclined to shoot in the desert at least during the day. Early mornings can be nice. You can rent ATVs, or a jeep, there are plenty of roads to travel. If it is hot you might consider taking a trip up to the Sedona and Jerome areas.

Feel free to contact me directly and I may be in a position to act as a guide. Always ready to go out and shoot.

[Robert Hall]

I like this place just north of Fountain Hills...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=phoenix&sll=39.860003,-4.023265&sspn=0.002372,0.003932&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Phoenix,+Maricopa,+Arizona&ll=33.665497,-111.74263&spn=0.329176,0.503311&z=11

If you get a chance go out to see Taliesin West as well.

[Tim k]

If I were you, I'd head north. Sedona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyons, Jerome, Oak Creek Canyon, just to name a few. But thats just me. Nothing but people and cactus down here. But if your looking for Cactus, you dont have to go far, in any direction.

[Gem Singer]

When you are in Phoenix, stop in to Photomark on McDowell RD and say hello to Rod Klukas.

He is usually more than willing to give advise on interesting places to shoot, what equipment and supplies you will need, etc.

Photomark is an interesting camera store to visit.

[Tim k]

When you are in Phoenix, stop in to Photomark on McDowell RD and say hello to Rod Klukas.

He is usually more than willing to give advise on interesting places to shoot, what equipment and supplies you will need, etc.

Photomark is an interesting camera store to visit.

But hide your money, he's an evil genius salesman. Don't ask me how I know.

[Chuck Pere]

Not sure about that time of year but Boyce Thompson Arboretum is an interesting look at the SW: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/BOTH/

[Tom Monego]

You can always go north an do the National Parks, Grand Canyon, Zion (don't miss the northern section), Bryce and a little gem Cedar Breaks. In Cedar breaks there is a lookout where AA took a photo, it is the one direction to take a photo from. So you can make the same decision as AA. Nice to know great minds work alike.

Tom

[Richard M. Coda]

There is a LOT of talk about closing many of the state parks down. You may want to chekc ahead.

[Scott Walker]

Thanks for the input everyone.
I may take you up on the offer memorris
Robert that google link didn't really pinpoint an area, were you refering to the McDowell Mountain natural area. If so it's real close to where I went on the horse, we were about 5 miles north of Rio Verde Drive and rode the area to the north of that.
The canyons are definately on my list

[Jim Michael]

Plenty to do. You could drive down to Tucson and visit the Saguaro Natl. Monnument (East & West) (early morning or evening is best), drive to the southeast towards Douglas and some of the small towns in that area, meander over to Nogales for some colorful stuff there, up to Sedona & red rock country, then maybe over to Chinle for a visit to Canyon de Chelly. I'd rent a 4WD. Carry plenty of extra drinking water, a GPS, and your Spot tracker. Go to the Flagstaff airport and arrange a flight through the red rocks to Sedona late in the afternoon as the Sun is lighting up the rocks. Hard to shoot that with a 4x5 from a Cessna though. Check the Arizona Highways photo tour site for a list of the ghost towns on their ghost town tour.