I will be in northern Arizona next week with my 4x5 field camera. It's the first time traveling out west with my LF system, and was wondering if anybody had suggestions on locations to check out. I have travelled quite a bit in southern Utah with a 35mm, but this year it's Az.
Any stories or tips about airline security and trying to carry on a field camera and several lenses? Todd
Thanks for the info. We plan to land in Phoenix, spend a day or two in the Sedona/Flagstaff area, then spend the rest of the trip in the northeast portion of the state. Meeting another couple out there for hiking and backpacking. The Mogollon Rim looked pretty awesome, at least from some of the Arizona Highways magazines I've seen. Didn't recall the fire though. Good point.
There is one place I remember, passing through on my way to Cali. Maybe it was Saguaro National Forest. There was one spot just off the road where, with a little imagination, it looked as if the cacti were marching single file up a mountain. Since I was on my way to a new job and everything was locked up and boxed up, I never got the shot. I can't remember if it was closer to Phoenix or Tucson though. Maybe you can get down there for a day.
Careful though...if it rains like it is now (not a problem from the origonal post date) the slot canyons are a bad idea.
A print viewing at the CCP in Tucson is always a good one. Open to the public.
And they a great Weston/Mather exhibit right now. It is funny to see how they avoid the words "affair", "adultery", etc. in it. It is merely a "Passionate Collaboration".
I am surprised that no one has mentioned Canyon de Chelly. I found it to be an awesome place. If you visit be sure and get a guide to take you into the canyon itself (the location of one of Ansel Adams famous images). Additionally, if you are up to a bit of an additional drive, Hovenweep (SW Colo, NE Utah) is an interesting series of ruins (not heavily visited). Tilman Crane did a study of this area that was published in the past year (not many images of that area publically presented.
There is a book out by Falcon called "Ruins Seldom Seen" and is a guide book to rarely seen ruins in Arizona. It is a great book. Be prepared to hike though....