Hidden Canyons

Although the bottom of a 100+ foot slot canyon (with spots that Beavis & Butthead would have a hard time wriggling their skinny butts through) is probably not the ideal place to be in the event of a flash flood, Hidden Canyons is sure to offer you (not me) food for vacationing thought. This exquisitely shot video follows professional photographer Robert Howard into four slot canyons--deep and intricate crevices created by years of rushing water--in Utah and two in Arizona as he looks for areas where the combination of rock forms and available light conspire to create a tableau begging to be captured on film. Moving from one picture perfect scene to the next, Howard offers tips and techniques for shutterbugs who might want to tackle the slot canyons, and he comes up with these stunning shots using only a 35mm camera. The video offers really good directions to each of the locations (you'll even be shown which tree signals an upcoming right turn), points out which offices to visit for permissions and information, and--a testament to the videographer--does an excellent job of capturing beautiful video shots of the slots while filming a crackerjack photographer. Whether viewers are inclined to visit the canyons in person or not, Hidden Canyons is a fine armchair trip with some good pointers for amateur photographers and a healthy respect for some wondrous places. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: Black Rabbit Productions, 2525 Arapahoe E4 #266, Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 443-2232.)