Hey everyone: Thanks for all your inputs! The advice regarding how to compose the shot and set the f-stop is very useful. I checked out the proffered links for Photoshopping sun rays-- there's a wealth of good information there (as with most PS techniques, there are a lot of different ways to achieve a desired effect). John Marks

I've always been intrigued by photos showing light rays streaming through trees or clouds or whatever. In a lot of instances, the light streams are more pronounced than anything I've ever seen in nature. So, are such effects the results of careful planning and set-up? Or do they happen in post-production? Or is luck involved? Or, as I suspect, is it some combination of all three? Any tips or enlightenment (no pun intended) will be mucho appreciated. Thanks. John Marks

The Battery Compartment Door fell/was knocked off my Nikon D500 and was lost four months after I got it (from B&H). Per Nikon's direction, I sent the camera to them and was informed that it wasn't covered under warranty and would cost some $165 to be repaired. I called Nikon and questioned their not-under-warranty decision. I pointed out that the D500 was my seventh Nikon camera, going back to my old Nikon F. The C/S representative agreed with me and promised to plead my case with her supervisor. Soon thereafter, I got an email from her stating that I would be getting a complimentary repair since I was a "Loyal Nikon customer." A few days later, I got the camera back as good as new at no charge and free shipping. So, no complaints here. john marks

jeepdaddy: Thanks for the detailed tips on night photography. I haven't done much night photography so your advice will eliminate a lot of trial-and-error the next time I give it a try. john marks

Speaking as a native Oregonian who now lives in Maryland but who always loves to sightsee when he returns home to visit family, I recommend some day trips to consider out of Portland. For one, a drive in the a.m. east out SE Powell Blvd (OR 26) to Mt hood is a good one. You can drive up to Timberline Lodge for lunch and some great views. After that, swing east and north around the base of the mountain to Hood River on the Columbia. Hood River is famous for its apple orchards and wind surfing (it's always windy there). Then head west back to Portland on I80, stopping at Bonneville Dam for the sights there. Continue west until you reach Multnomah Falls which is just off the highway for some iconic photo ops. From Multnomah Falls, take the Old Columbia River highway west, stopping at the various roadside parks with their picturesque waterfalls (my favorite: Waukenia Falls SP). Continuing on, you will eventually reach Vista House at Crown Point SP with its fabulous views up and down the Columbia River (in the distance to the east, you can see Beacon Rock -- see below). From there, it's a short hop back to downtown Portland.
Another interesting trip (I'd say about three hours one way) is a visit to Mt St Helens in Washington, but ONLY if there are no low clouds that day. I took friends up there once on such a cloudy day and we never ever saw the Mountain, even from the Johnson Visitor Center which is right at the base of the volcano.
One other trip to consider is going east up the Washington side of the Columbia River (cross over at Portland) and stopping at Beacon Rock. BR is the second largest monolithic rock in the world, second only to Gibraltar. There's a winding trail that leads all the way to the top. In my 60s, I remember it being a pretty strenuous walk up all those swithchbacks, but the view at the top is well worth it. You can cross back to Oregon a little father west at the Bridge of the Gods.
As someone else has already mentioned, there is mucho beauty along the Oregon coast. You can do a day trip by driving west out of Portland to Astoria and then heading south along the scenic coast highway (be sure to check out Cannon Beach and nearby Ecola SP, my favorite stops) to Tilamook (be sure to visit the cheese factory there). Thence you can head back to Portland via the Wilson River Highway.
As you can tell, i love Oregon. About Idaho, sorry, I know nothing. john marks

After I got my D500 in July, my Photoshop version CS5 couldn't handle the RAW files from the D500. So, I was forced to bite the bullet and sign up for the Creative Cloud version of Photoshop. Now everything is copacetic. jdm

How do I get it sharp? I find Viagra helps.....

I've had a D300S since it was introduced in 2010. It's a great camera, but eventually I started hankering for an upgrade, too. So I got a new D500 recently: WOW!-- it's a significantly improved version of the D300S. The layout is similar, so the learning curve is shallow, but it's got a number of new features that are awesome: 8.6 more megapixels (20.9 vs 12.3); larger ISO range (100-51,200 vs 200-3200); faster frame rate (10 fps vs 8 fps); higher buffer capacity; improved autofocus; easier back-button focusing; improved battery, and many more. If you love your D300, you'll adore the D500! john marks

In 2012 the BAs performed in Baltimore. My daughter, who lived in Canton, took me to a small harbor-side park in the area. I don't remember the name of the park, but it's a water taxi stop. It's across the harbor from Fort McHenry. I got a lot of good shots there.

Whoa! Who appointed you [tdekany] arbiter of UHH? OK, so you are put off by a friendly post that's not asking some esoteric question about HDR or whatever. Do you have to be such a jerk about it? I'm originally from Oregon also; you, sir, don't make me very proud. John Marks

Whoa! Who appointed you arbiter of UHH? OK, so you are put off by a friendly post that's not asking some esoteric question about HDR or whatever. Do you have to be such a jerk about it? I'm originally from Oregon also; you, sir, don't make me very proud. John Marks

I had a D300S for six (6) years and absolutely loved it. I just got a D500 and love it even more. The camera body lay-outs are similar so the D500 didn't require a steep learning curve to get comfortable. I shoot sports and portraits and "scenes." It's been perfect for me. I'm just glad I was able to convince the missus that I needed the upgrade.

Photogate? I saw that and wondered "What camera manufacturer got caught in a scandal now?"

While at Cannon Beach, be sure to visit Ecola State Park, just a few miles north of CB. I think is offers some of the most spectacular views anywhere. And it's so serene and peaceful, it is a joy to experience. Probably my most favorite place on earth -- I want my ashes scattered there. John Marks (an Oregonian by birth living now in Maryland)