A Perfect Day for the Grand Canyon Tour!

Samsung Electronics has provided the author of this article with the mentioned digital imaging device.

The Grand Canyon…I had heard about this place more than a thousand times!

Two weeks ago, I FINALLY saw the Grand Canyon!

It was a bright and perfect day for my tour. I left the hotel and headed to the Grand Canyon Airport around 10 A.M.

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/1000s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

We took this cute tour bus. It was easy for the general public to see where we were headed.

Samsung NX100 │ 1/60s │ f/9.0 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/25s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 400 │ 19.0mm

People were waiting for the helicopters and the airplanes. Our airplane was a bit late, so we had to wait about an hour.

Samsung NX100 │ 1/160s │ f/11.0 │ ISO 100 │ 29.0mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/350s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/60s │ f/5.0 │ ISO 125 │ 40.0mm

I was already tired even before the tour started when I finally boarded this airplane; however, I gave no complaints once I saw the view through the airplane window. I was flying over the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam!

Samsung NX100 │ 1/60s │ f/9.0 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/350s │ f/3.9 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/500s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/500s │ f/4.6 │ ISO 80 │ 6.5mm

After the one hour flight, the airplane landed at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. The airport was much colder than I thought; it felt close to freezing! I regretted not carrying my thick jacket.

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/750s │ f/4.9 │ ISO 80 │ 15.6mm

We started the bus tour in the park. The real Grand Canyon tour has started.

Samsung NX100 │ 1/160s │ f/10.0 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

It was my lunch! :)

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/1000s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/750s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/350s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/1000s │ f/4.4 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

These shots are from Mather Point which is the most popular vantage point of the Grand Canyon. The sky was so blue and the Grand Canyon made my jaw drop in awe! I felt like I was standing at the edge of the earth! My first impression of the Grand Canyon was perfect for me. :)

Samsung EX1(TL500) │ 1/1500s │ f/6.7 │ ISO 80 │ 5.2mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/40s │ f/4.5 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/50s │ f/6.3 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/60s │ f/5.0 │ ISO 200 │ 42.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/40s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/60s │ f/5.6 │ ISO 400 │ 55.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/40s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 250 │ 19.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/40s │ f/5.0 │ ISO 100 │ 18.0mm

Bright Angel Lodge, a series of stone and wood buildings along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, was the second point we visited. Fortunately, we arrived just before sunset.

Samsung NX100 │ 1/8s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 800 │ 18.0mm

Samsung NX100 │ 1/8s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 800 │ 18.0mm

On the way back to the Grand Canyon Airport, I was sleeping on the plane but I could imagine how beautiful the night view must have been.

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Elctronics Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung NX100 and EX1(TL500) and which have been provided by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net imageloger, please click here

The Aerial Photography with the Imagelogers

On November 3, 2010, four Imagelogers boarded a helicopter in Seoul, Korea. Why? To test the features of Samsung’s mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, NX Series. So they’ll be able to test the features of the NX series from Samsung’s mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cold weather was a big challenge, but the fun memory will last forever. Shall we take a look at the scenery of Seoul in the fall through the lens (literally) of Samsung NX?

After landing at the airport, our guide led us through the security check and to the helicopter landing zone; just like when you board an airplane!

A van was waiting for us on the runway where it will take us to the helicopter.

It was my first time riding down the runway! I felt like I was VIP. After driving for about five minutes, we arrived on the helicopter landing zone.

Before the shooting, we gathered at the office to check the route and to receive training.

After receiving training on check watch-outs for aerial photography, we moved to the hanger to put the safety belts on.

For aerial photography, the helicopter doors are hung open so fastening the safety belt tightly is very important! ^^

So, this is us, the four Imagelogers. The person on the right is very tall so he struggled with putting on the belt.

The helicopter we will be riding is the latest EC155B1. Cool, huh?The helicopter was made by Eurocopter and can accommodate up to 12 people. This is a picture of all of us together before boarding!

We also read the safety features manual. After we read the safety features manual, we are ready to take off!

For safety reasons, two pilots fly together. There are so many buttons and instrument panels! I wonder what they are used for. We take off with a deafening sound from the engine.

Everyone is excited!

After takeoff, the doors are opened for photo shooting – and with it, the suffocating wind and roaring engine sound!

The rope you see in the photo is literally our lifeline. Looking down is terribly frightening, but it doesn’t stop the Imageloger from clicking away on his camera.

What you see here in the middle of the picture is the Incheon Bridge. It connects the Incheon International Airport, the gateway into Korea, with the inland.

A bird’s-eye view of the Yeongheung Bridge.

Not long after, the view of Seohae Bridge comes into sight.

The two pilots steering the helicopter constantly check both sides to make sure our path is clear. They can be heard shouting: “Left clear! OK! Right clear! OK!” in turns. Wow! You are awesome!

Catching the right angle from an aerial view was quite challenging since the helicopter moved very fast.

Due to a slight delay in schedule, we closed the door and revved up our speed to reach Seoul. About 10 minutes later, we arrived near Seoul.

This is the Jamsil Olympic Stadium where it hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Seoul sure is a crowded city! Look at these tightly packed houses!

A view of a theme park and a race track.

After successfully shooting for some two or so hours, we finally landed. The aerial photography with the Imagelogers of Samsung Electronics was indeed a memorable experience full of clear skies, fascinating landscape and excellent camera function!