Suggestions for photographic locations in Arizona needed!

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Being British, I am very much looking forward to my first trip to Arizona next Monday-Wednesday. Unfortunately, it is for work and I am limited to only a few spare hours during my drives to and from the airport (Phoenix) and my destination (Tucson). Can anyone suggest notable landscapes or natural landmarks that might be within my reach? Thanks in advance...Malcolm

-- Malcolm Fox (foxmalcolm@aol.com), October 05, 2000

Answers

Malcolm,

Since you are heading south I would suggest The Casa Grande, an old Indian site, and the Suarjo (pardon my spelling) National Park outside Tuscon. It has incredible terrain and a zillion varieties of Cactus. Of course, all along the way your mind will be boggled by the desert terrain and sites, espacvially the sudden upcroppings of rock and mountains. Take a turn off the main road from time to time to see the side views. Arizona is a photographer's paradise, especially heading north, oh well, you can do that next time.

-- Wayne Campbell (wtcamjr@aol.com), October 05, 2000.


The West unit of Saguaro National Park is less than one hour away from Tucson, and easily explored in a couple of hours. Maybe you can get there for a sunrise or sunset during your working days. Even before getting to the national park, you'll cross a mountain park half an hour away from the city with cactus-covered slopes. The Arizona-Sonora desert museum and the old Tucson studios are worth checking too.

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), October 05, 2000.

I second the recommendation for the west unit of Saguaro National Monument. Early morning is sensational. Later in the day, I would suggest Sabino Canyon, and a trip to Mt. Lemmmon may also bring some photo opportunities. The Pima Air Museum has some bizarre photo ops. It's sort of like a dumping ground for all the planes the US Gov't doesn't use anymore.

-- steve (s.swinehart@worldnet.att.net), October 05, 2000.

Iwould definetly consider Mt. Lemmon. We took our time driving up with lots of stops and sight seeing, unfortunately all I had was my digital camera and a real yearning for the 8X10, and made it back down in 35 to 45 minutes driving straight through. We were there in February and there was still snow in the protected areas, you travel up to nearly 9000 feet I believe. The scenery goes from Saguaro catus fields to alpine firs, with a lot of places to stop and view along the way. It cost $5.00 I think for a day pass and was well worth the "donation". It is easy to get to and the roads are all paved.

-- Marv (mthompsonn@home.com), October 05, 2000.

Malcolm, don't forget to stop by Ceneter for Creative Photography (CCP) at University of Arizona. The building is along the Speedway Blvd.

-- Masayoshi Hayashi (s2016398@student.rmit.edu.au), October 06, 2000.


Malcolm - in Tucson a trip to Mission San Xavier Del Bac is a must. Brilliant white facade, multitudes of arches, wonderful Spanish Mission church built in 1783-97.

-- pat kearns (pat.kearns@coopertsmith.com), October 07, 2000.

I also vote for Mission San Xavier Del Bac. This is considered the finest of the California/Arizona Spanish missions.

While it's not take pictures, you might also want to consider visiting the Center for Creative Photography, the place to which Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and other well known photographers have willed their negatives and a lot of their prints. It's in Tuscon.

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), October 08, 2000.


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