One of the “Original" 25” images placed on view at the 2011 Grand Opening of the Bobby Wheat Gallery

The slot canyons near Page Arizona may be the most photographed canyons in the world.  A stark contrast from the remote quiet location more than a decade ago, people from all over the globe travel to this sacred Navajo treasure to capture the stunning textures of the sandstone and brilliant color of the light playing on the canyon walls.  The day Bobby made this photograph; however, was an experience that few on earth have had or will ever have again.

In the spring of 2011, One of the Navajo Guides named Lionel Bigthumb was working on a “special” personal project the morning Bobby arrived at the canyon entrance. While closed to tourism for the morning, Lionel generously invited Bobby to join him and his assistant for something extraordinary. After setting up and photographing this iconic arch from its most-photographed side to create Lady in the Wind, Lionel instructed Bobby to move his camera to the other side of the arch. A few minutes later, a beam of light made its way directly through the arch into the cavernous area where their tripods were set up, a phenomenon that only happens twice per year and only if conditions are perfect. In the midst of the magic, Lionel’s assistant began playing a native tune on a flute that reverberated throughout the canyon. Bobby exposed just two frames, one of which became Epiphany.

To photograph Antelope Canyon was a long-standing rite of passage in many ways, and sadly, those days are now gone. Tripods are no longer allowed in the canyon to help streamline the amount of tours that can make it through in a day. But no matter what the future holds for this gem in the desert, Bobby will always remember the magical morning in which he was able to experience Antelope Canyon as the sacred treasure that it once was.

Location | Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Medium and Materials | Chromogenic Print from Film on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper, Face-Mounted with 2 layers of UV protection in the Bobby Wheat Gallery’s Signature ANTIGLARE Presentation.

Camera and Film Used | Pentax 67 Medium Format Camera with Fuji Velvia Film

Edition Size | Edition of 25 + 5 Artist’s Proofs for a Total of 13 Enlargements Regardless of Size (Your Edition Number will be assigned by the Bobby Wheat Gallery After Checkout)