Thank you, I guess I missed page four. Both of the photographs show a lot of emotion, but the popular one probably illustrates the work involved much more than the first photograph.

I don't think I have ever seen the original one before.

I have two kit lenses (at least they came with my D5100), an 18-55mm and a 55-300mm. Depending on what I was shooting, I would use one or the other. However, I discovered, for a walking around lens, neither of them met my requirements. Many times the 18-55 was too short, and other times the 55-300 was too long.

So I purchased an 18-140 mm and I love it. It is almost always on my camera. Yes, I do have the 55-300mm for wildlife, and other long distance opportunities. BUT, if I went to Disneyland with grandkids, I would probably only carry the 18-140.

Now, having said that, there is a number of people on the hog that would prefer the 18-200mm or the 18-300mm for a walking around lens. I can't really comment on that but they also offer some potential advantages.

I remember hearing that this was not the first flag raised. Although the story I heard was slightly different from what you posted, but I do not question what you posted. I vaguely remember that the second flag raising was done to get the photo.

However, in fact, that doesn't matter. From a pure photography stand point it may not be technically a perfect photograph. However, the emotion of the event, and the story it tells makes it worthwhile.

However it was done, whatever the reasons, it is a remarkable photograph regardless of its faults. After all, this was war, the photograph is photojournalism. For those reasons, it was a great photo. It creates emotion for the viewer.

Remember the photo of the young girl running toward the camera after a Napalm attack in Viet Nam. Another stunning, emotional photograph in the same category.

Sometimes you just shoot what you can or what presents itself to you. There is nothing wrong with that!

When we were in Alaska in 2002, we saw bald eagles almost everywhere. They were on the dock in Valdez, Homer, and Seward. We took a ferry ride from Skayway to Haines, this would have been in August, well before the eagles come back to Haines, but we actually saw dozens of eagles in Haines.

Alaska is a wonderful place and be ready to take probably 10 times as many photos as you think you will. One of it's nicknames is "The Last Frontier" and that is very appropriate.

Above all, enjoy the scenery, the wildlife, and the history of the place. It is really an amazing place. I just have no plans of spending a winter there.

In 2002, we drove our motorhome to Alaska. In all, we spent about 2 1/2 months in Alaska, and about 2 months in Canada. I went from carrying a Film SLR with four prime lenses to purchasing a bridge camera. Not having to switch lenses was a great advantage.

I wish I had a good DSLR with everything from a little longer than a fisheye lens, to the longest lens I could afford (I did have a 400mm lens).

So my recommendation is take all of them. Also be prepared to shoot hundreds of photos per day, in some cases it could be a thousand or more.

The bottom line is Alaska (and Canada) can be a photographers paradise. Be prepared to be OVERWHELMED.

Sometimes the shot of a lifetime will be dependent on weather but there will always something to shoot.

Please don't ask what to look for or places to shoot. There are just way to many to list. You can take what should be a 1/2 mile walk in Fairbanks and spend an hour or two taking photos. Take a whale watching boat ride for 4 hours and if you don't take several hundred photos you should have your eyes checked.

If you are in Valdez, check out the Lulu Belle 4 hour boat ride (I recommend the afternoon ride) assuming it is still there. Amazing and you can find a photo opportunity every few minutes.

Be prepared to take probably thousands of photos, certainly cost effective when you are shooting digital. Make sure you have plenty of battery power, and plenty of cards for the camera.

By all means, make sure you enjoy the "Last Frontier." It is an amazing place.

In Lightroom, in the Library Module, go to the view menu at the top of the screen. Select Sort, and sort by File Name, or Capture time. Now all the photos you show in the grid will be in order.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Congratulations, you have an excellent camera that will take great to excellent photographs (depending on your skills) for many years. I would say about the same thing no matter what brand you bought.

Remember, the camera is only the tool, great photographs are made by who every is behind the camera!

Since you don't mention what computer or operating system you are using, my comment may be totally useless. I have used iPhoto (now Photos) on a Macintosh for several photo books. Apple prints excellent photo books and it's easy to do, and at a reasonable cost with excellent quality.

I too like the confirmation, it's just that so far, it hasn't seemed to be too loud.

I too have a D5100, and I have never had a problem with shutter or mirror noise.

Make an appointment before you go. Based on my experience, you will find fantastic customer support from Apple. You can also call for help since you have a new Mac, but the Apple store is usually a great experience, Customer Service like it should be.

I agree Picasa from Google is very good and is free. You can also do a fair amount in iPhoto (Now called simply Photos). You can stick with iPhoto for a while before you go to something more sophisticated.

Are you saying that Ansel Adams dealt in altered reality and wasn't really a photographer?

Perhaps we should create a new term: "PhotoGRAPHIC Artist." My first thought it that this term makes a lot of sense. However, it should never be applied to photojournalism!