Going to Vegas for Christmas, Is the Valley of Fire worth a day trip?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by erno james

Hey Bob, if you love doing landscape photography, I highly recommend Valley of Fire State Park. I've only been there once and spent a half day there but to me the photo opps seem endless. I use Flickr a lot when planning photo trips, so do a search for "Fire Cave" or "Wind Cave" and the increasingly popular "Fire Wave." Here's a couple from my day trip from Vegas...

---

Great shots James. Shots like this is what motivated me to consider Valley of Fire--Thanks for the titles and tips to search Flicker. The area titles also help in planning, I can now find these areas on a map and plan for arrival during good lighting.


Thanks, Bob

Thanks to all for the great tips, Perhaps you would also be willing to offer suggestions for gear? At the moment I plan on taking the following:

7D and my Wifes 400D/XTI
50 1.2 L
Polarizer filters
10-22
28-135 (wife's camera)
100-400
100 gig worth of CF Cards
Backup Drive
Laptop
Flash
Tripod
Mono-pod
Batteries
cleaning supplies

At the moment I am choosing not to bring my 500L or 100L primarily because of space limitations, but I also don't expect to spend any time shooting wildlife. I am using this trip for landscape, HDR, some street stuff and some night shots---All of which I desperately need to practice on.

Any other suggestions or comments?


Thanks,


Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob williams

At the moment I am choosing not to bring my 500L or 100L primarily because of space limitations, but I also don't expect to spend any time shooting wildlife. I am using this trip for landscape, HDR, some street stuff and some night shots---All of which I desperately need to practice on.

---

Bob, if you go for the walk I suggest downtown to the old casinos. Especially late evening when they start the overhead light show. You will find street life everywhere.

Now the 500mm L. The first time I went to Vegas in the 80's we drove. About 20 miles south out of town on the side of an outcropping of rocks we spotted big horn sheep. It might take some research, but there may be some wildlife opportunity.

I've lived in Vegas since 1990 and have never been to Valley of Fire...crazy, I know. Anyways, here are some tips/highlights:

- If you want to travel light, borrowlenses.com has a Las Vegas pickup site: http://www.borrowlenses.com/page/sfbaylocations#nevada

- If you forgot something at home or need a camera shop, there's B&C Camera (http://store.bandccamera.com/) and Casey's Cameras (http://www.caseyscamera.com/).

- Like others said, Red Rock is beautiful and very easily accessible. It won't take up an entire day either. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojica/8269619661/)

- In addition to the Bellagio fountains be sure to stop by inside and visit their conservatory, they'll have a holiday theme set up (from their Spring theme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojic...57625733080446)

- Also while in Bellagio, check out Jeff Mitchum's gallery. His landscape photography is great, and the stories behind it are just as strong as his images. (Link: https://www.bellagio.com/shopping/jeff-mitchum.aspx)

- Walking around City Center is pretty cool. The newest properties on the Strip are there, and there are is some cool architecture to see. http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojic...57625733080446

@HD, Thanks--I hadn't thought much about that.

@ acmojica--Great tips, I will definitely check out the camera shops, we don't have any good ones around here.