welcome Denise .here is a fun project for you buy the book PhotoSecrets San Diego by Andrew Hudson and try to duplacate the pictures in the book t/o san diego.
you might try buying David Buschs book on the Sony A65 it covers how to deal with noise and also how to clean the sensor. there is so much information in this book it is a must have if you own the A65. Also Gary Friedman Guide to the A65/a77 has a ton of information in it. I have the A65 and have not had any problems like yours.I have had mine for a year.
if you do visit again check out the book PhotoSecrets San Diego by Andrew Hudson.you can buy it used on Amoson for about $10.00 or new for $19.00.it is a great book on San Diego.It tells you all the locations to see and go to take pictures.It is a great keepsake of your trip to San Diego.
check out the Sony cameras also.
Georges Camera is on 30th st not El cajon blvd and Second Exposure is on 26 st and Adams both have great deals on camera grear.
check out the book The Complete Guide To Digital Night & Low Light Photography by Tony Worobiec it will ansewer all your Questions.
the Grand Canyon is about 100 miles from Phoenix.you could take a day trip there.route 66 is also in the area.
check out the Mob museum is a great place to check out;it is in the old post office building. it tells how Las Vegas got started history etc.
very nice pictures of the Mission you captured it well.glad you enjoyed your visit to San Diego. there is so much to see and do here hope you visit again.
p/u the book photosecrets San Francisco & Northern California by Andrew Hudson $17.00 new cheaper used .this book covers Yosemite and all the areas around it.it tells you everything about you need to know.it covers all the photo ops and gives you the best times to take the pictures and it gives you some history to go with the places you will be shooting pictures of. Its a great book of the whole area.
the A77 was selling for $900.00 body only brand new at Georges camera in S.D. last nov. the A65 was $700.00 brand new.
I have the sony A65 and I love it.it does everything I need it to do and more.I passed on the A77 only because I didnt think I needed to spend the extra $200,00 for the w/p feature on the A77 being I live in San Diego. Its a great camera with the Tamron 18 to 270 0n it.I paid $700.00 last nov. for the body and $500.00 for the lense.
i
if you have the time hike up to the summit of Diamond Head it is .7 miles 271 steaps and the view is unbeliveable,well worth the hike up.
the first one I think would be better if you blured the background so only the Statue was showing.