One of my favorite places on earth to take pictures is Sedona, Arizona. My wife and I have been going up to Sedona for vacations for the last eleven years. From the red rocks to Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock a photographer will find hundreds of locations to shoot. Whether it is winter, fall or spring the beauty is everywhere. Not in the summer though, it is just too stinking hot.
Getting to Sedona is easy. Heading out of Phoenix up I-17 toward Flagstaff and take SR 179 to Sedona. You will need to stop at the The Forest Service Administration Offices just south of the Village of Oak Creek on highway 179 to purchase a Red Rock Pass parking permit (required almost everywhere in the region). If you are coming from Flagstaff, you can head down I-17 to SR 179 or you can take the scenic route and when you leave Flagstaff, take the Airport road down Highway 89 through Oak Creek Canyon (as I describe below).
You can then backtrack into the Village of Oak Creek and take Verde Valley School Road South to its end to see the "backside" of Red Rock Crossing. Great pictures of the most famous of Sedona photo scenes at Cathedral Rock can be taken there, especially if it is wet or raining. Look for standing pools of water for great foreground shots.
After photographing that area you can backtrack to SR 179 and head East toward Sedona and then take any one of the numerous scenic pull outs to trails or other spots to photograph Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. This is where you will see the best of the red rocks. A real treat will be found when the rocks get wet with the red colors shining through all their shades. These scenic pull outs are not just for tourists. Many have the start of a hiking trail head that will lead to very good locations to photograph. Try to catch these areas in the hour around sunrise and sunset, the so-called "Golden Hour". This is the time of day that the sun is lowest on the horizon that imparts a golden glow to your images.
After the scenic drive into Sedona you will want to check out the world famous Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts shopping district will be on your left before you get to the "Y". Great urban shots of classic Southwestern architecture abound. After time shooting (or shopping) you can head North at the "Y" and travel up Oak Creek Canyon.
There are hundreds of photo spots in the Canyon from Midgley Bridge to Slide Rock, and all around Oak Creek. Once you have your fill of shooting in a pure mountain forest you can head back toward town, staying on Highway 89-A to upper Red Rock Loop Road. Take the loop and you will come to the Crescent Moon Picnic Area at Red Rock Crossing where the iconic shots of Sedona have been made of Cathedral Rock. Fees do apply at this area.
At this point you will be on the opposite side of Oak Creek where I started you out on this photographic journey. Continue around the Red Rock Loop Road to Highway 89-A and go into Sedona for a frosty beverage and dinner or to take in an art gallery.
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