Need Advice Re : First ever visit to South Rim of GrandCanyon in January

[Torontoamateur]

I was postponed by cancer last year and this year I AM GOING. I will be stayin at ElTorvar and have my Kodak Magnesium 8x10 with 240mm Sironar and a 155 Grandagon. Carbon fibre manfroto and 26 sheets of Velvia and Provia, some Ilford Delta 100 too. Where are good place to shoot frmand also must be accessible. The Hermit Rd is open. WHat can I expect for weather? Where are the " best" places to go to. I don't mind doing the "typical" shots, in fact I relish making my own 8x10's of famous views.

[Tin Can]

Cold on top and far warmer on bottom

Snow

Please don't fall in

However January was my favorite time to go there, far less maddening crowds

[Vaughn]

Cold on top and far warmer on bottom

Snow

Please don't fall in

However January was my favorite time to go there, far less maddening crowds

Warmer -- but I spent a week down in the Canyon in a January and only when the sun was on me (rare) was it above freezing and anything close to something one call 'warm'! LOL!

Just hit all the pull-outs and have fun!

[Alan9940]

Just about anywhere along the rim makes for nice photos, especially if you get some beautiful light and, maybe, some weather. All around the Watchtower is nice, too, IMO. Have fun and make some great photographs!

[scheinfluger_77]

It’s hard to go wrong there.

[Alan Klein]

Here's a Google map of the area my wife and I used to drive around. https://goo.gl/maps/s2FN1LRQoRxzPgd78
We came in from the east and stopped at the Watchtower first. You can walk from El Tovar along the views and get great views pretty much everywhere. There's a pretty good restaurant along the way, I forget which one. It's right on the overlook so we got pictures after dinner. Not sure which one was taken where, but here are some shots. They're all digital, however. Have a great time.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/

[Alan Klein]

Here's a Google map of the area my wife and I used to drive around. https://goo.gl/maps/s2FN1LRQoRxzPgd78
We came in from the east and stopped at the Watchtower first. You can walk from El Tovar along the views and get great views pretty much everywhere. There's a pretty good restaurant along the way, I forget which one. It's right on the overlook so we got pictures after dinner. Not sure which one was taken where, but here are some shots. They're all digital, however. Have a great time.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/

I went through my vacation shots and found these taken from Desert View Watchtower. Lots of people making fools of themselves with selfies. But a nice walk that kind of extends out. It should be more deserted when you're there. The first picture is a better look at the actual view.

Grand Canyon 4 by Alan Klein, on Flickr

[Torontoamateur]

Here's a Google map of the area my wife and I used to drive around. https://goo.gl/maps/s2FN1LRQoRxzPgd78
We came in from the east and stopped at the Watchtower first. You can walk from El Tovar along the views and get great views pretty much everywhere. There's a pretty good restaurant along the way, I forget which one. It's right on the overlook so we got pictures after dinner. Not sure which one was taken where, but here are some shots. They're all digital, however. Have a great time.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alankl...7694819890421/

Thank You This is inspiring.

[Sal Santamaura]

First, as a Torontonian (i.e. acclimatized to essentially sea level), I'd advise that you ask in advance whether El Tovar can place you in a ground floor room. There's no elevator in the building, and an 8x10 Kodak -- even a magnesium one -- might be quite a chore if you, like I did last August, end up on the third floor.

Second, although it depends on how one "sees," I've found that something in the 450mm to 480mm range is best suited to photographing from the rim. Billowing monsoonal clouds in summer break that "rule" for me, but you won't find any in January.

My best shots so far have been a vertical at Mather Point and a horizontal at Desert View. In the former case, go down the overlook stairs and then right into the small cul-de-sac. Frame eastward and exclude railing and people at the left edge. For Desert View, go almost all the way out on the small projecting railed pathway. Frame northward and use front fall / rear rise to keep the lower left "rock pile" from exhibiting excessive keystoning.

Finally, hope for a good snowfall followed by late morning clearing the next day. Good luck, and enjoy.

[Torontoamateur]

I don't agree with the lens choice you recommend, I will have my 240mm and 155mm. To me the point is to record the expanse. I have already spoken with some other very well respected Large Format Photographers on my choice of lenses and they have agreed with the 240mm and 155mm. AS to the negative about the stairs, That seems you are being sort of negative. My health is fine and I am robust. I also have a backpack for the camera The Airports are much more demanding than a simple three floor walk up. If it si too much then I will store the camera with the Concierge or in my vehicle. Or if needed I will hire a local as a sherpa. As to the Altitude issue , that is a non starter. I have experience hiking mountains. I know how to deal with this change in Altitude. In saying that I also recognize that the north rim would be higher. I really think you are trying to throw a wet towel on my adventure and that you dreadfully underestimate my present health and physical condition. Frankly I will not fall for your subtle anti-Canadian Bull. Now stop being a we towel. I will do it my way and that will yield some magnificent shots which I intend to have blown up to at least 8 feet wide.