I’ve wanted to see the ever-increasingly famous Antelope Canyon for a long time. It’s been at the top of our travel list for years, so when we finally booked our trip to Sedona and Northern Arizona, we knew it would be our top destination for the trip to see the incredible slot canyon just outside of Page, Arizona. And yes, it was amazing. And yes, it was unforgettable. And yes, it was magical. But… if you’re headed to this amazing place (and others like it), it’s important to stop and remember there is a difference between really seeing it through your own eyes and that of a camera lens.
Let me back up and explain. If you read my post last week about how to visit Antelope Canyon, you’ll know that we booked photographer tours because we had heard good things about that versus just the regular tours. And both of us were required to have a tripod and mirrorless or DSLR cameras for that tour. So when we finally got out of the truck and entered the canyon, our guide was furiously shuffling us around to get us the best photos, the best light, the best views. And he was amazing (Roman from Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours) and for Nick, this was so great because he was able to get some incredible shots of the canyon that wouldn’t be at all possible in the regular tours. But here’s the thing, after a while of me following the lead with other photographers, I found myself not really enjoying the actual canyon itself, not remarking at how incredible it looked in the different shades of light or how the striations on the side of the walls were incredibly ornate.
So I stopped taking photos. I folded up my tripod and I found myself a spot under the rims of the canyon walls, in the red clay sand, and I just sat down. I forgot about the other photographers shuffling around me and I just looked around me. In the shuffle of it all, I had almost missed what this beautiful and spiritual place was all about. It’s also why I have mixed feelings about this incredible slot canyon becoming so commercialized and highly visited because ultimately it will ruin the allure of what it once was, a place of deep spiritual ties to the Earth.
This entire area of Northern Arizona is incredibly magical and it’s easy to understand why the Navajo (who live in that area) are really spiritual people. But as I sat in my little spot in Antelope Canyon, against the canyon walls, looking straight up as the tiny slivers of light fell into the slot opening, as the walls changed from purple to red to shades of blue. I watched as the tour groups wandered through shouting in all different languages and the photographers snapping away at angle after angle. And I just took it in and I’m so glad I did. As a traveler, I’m completely of the belief that we must “feel” a place, we must sense what’s around us and we must really see what’s in front of our cameras.
So the next time you’re somewhere amazing, when you’re exploring near or far, remember that experiencing a moment vs. photos of that moment are two very different things. Remember that the world is meant to be seen with our own two eyes, without a camera in front of it. And for me, sometimes it takes a little crevice in a slot canyon, sitting in the red sand watching everything go by to understand the meaning of really seeing something.
Lillian @ The Smalls Abroad says
I catch myself thinking the same thing. How often do we remember a picture more than the actual sight of the the place we visited. We are guilty of that. It was quite nice recently in Vatican City in the Sistine chapel where photos are strictly prohibited. We were forced to just sit and marvel at it all without worrying about lighting, framing and getting that perfect shot. Wish some places would enforce that rule. Or ensuring you have a good balance of both.
Casey says
Exactly. I think the act of “seeing” a place often gets put aside now that everyone has phones and cameras… sometimes we need to put everything away and just feel the place.
Emily says
I really appreciate this observation about Antelope Canyon. I’m headed there in July and I don’t own any good camera equipment. I know I’ll never get the amazing shots that make me want to visit in the first place, but that’s ok . I’m going to take it all in for my experience.
Casey says
That’s a great way to do it. Just take it in… it’s so beautiful.
Rachel @ STCL says
Totally agree with this. We always get so wrapped up snapping photos to remember it, but in reality it looks SO much different in person and it’s so important to just stop to take it all in!
Casey says
It really does… plus I remember the feel of the place in that moment too which you’ll never capture in a photo!
Annie says
I love this! It’s something I always struggle with, so this is something that my heart completely relates to! I am in favor of putting down the phone to truly be in the moment!
Casey says
Totally! Sometimes it’s so necessary!
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
Absolutely! I still regret that I can only remember about 2 seconds of my whale safari in Greenland cause I was so busy taking pictures. In the end, all I was left with were 3 okay pictures and those few seconds were I actually saw the whale with my own eyes…. not worth it! I totally remember to stop taking pictures and enjoy the moment now!
Casey says
Ahh I hate moments like that! And then afterwards, we’re like, “wait, what just happened!?!?”
Chantal says
So true. I’ve slowed down on my photo taking and try to take memory photos instead!
Casey says
That’s such a great way to do it!
Jennifer @This Off Script Life says
This often happens to me when I’m traveling too. I get so caught up in capturing the moment that I forget to stop to really experience the moment. But you’re so right, Casey. For any traveler, including those of us who are travel writers, really experiencing a place through our own senses is invaluably important.
http://www.thisoffscriptlife.com
Casey says
Totally! Sometimes we get caught up in documenting the moment, but what about actually experiencing the moment? That’s much more important I think.
Weekends & Wanders says
Wise words for sure! Sometimes you need to put down the camera and just *enjoy* yourself and be thankful for the amazing place you’re in!
Casey says
Yes! Sometimes that moment will be worth 100 photos!