Twilight Near Mather Point
South Rim - Grand Canyon, AZ
TWILIGHT NEAR MATHER POINT
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TWILIGHT NEAR MATHER POINT
The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic locations in the US and has been a favorite destination for both adventurers and photographers for years. The incredible canyons carved by millions of years of erosion along with the amazing colors provide endless photographic opportunities. But sometimes the grandeur can be overwhelming to find a great location to capture the essence of the canyon.
Many articles and several books have been written to try to address the very best place(s) to visit and photograph the Canyon. Mather Point is likely the most visited and photographed location on the South Rim - and for good reason. Its proximity to the visitors center, natural viewing area and stunning view of the Bright Angel Canyon will draw a large crowd for both sunrise and sunset every day of the year.
This shot was taken about 50 yards east of the Mather Point Overlook on the Rim Trail tucked away from the sea of tourists. From this location, you can capture the grandeur of the Bright Angel Canyon and include just a bit of the overlook to give it some dimension. There are many, many other equally impressive angles and view of this part of the canyon within 50-200 yards east of Mather Point. Just walk along the Rim Trail and pick your favorite composition.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). This location is on the Rim Trail, just 350 yards from the visitors center (100 yards from the parking lot) and is set behind a secure safety railing.
Timing is everything for capturing a great image at this location. For me, on days without dramatic weather, the canyon is best photographed just before and/or just after the sun sets.
In the last few minutes before the sun goes below the horizon, the fading sun provides a soft warm glow that illuminates the canyon walls - and significantly reduces the extreme dynamic range. This is a good time to photograph.
I personally prefer the first few minutes just after sunset (twilight) to photograph this location. Even after the sun sets, the back walls still retain the warm glow of the sun (the camera will pick this up more than your eye) and the pastel colors of the canyon really start to pop.
Take pictures at both times and determine which you prefer.
You can shoot anything from a super wide to a telephoto lens when photographing the Grand Canyon. The shot above was taken with a 24mm lens.
7,000 Ft. Elevation
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KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
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LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
