Nice app ... I use it a lot. Cannot believe for what they charge for the camera, they don't include that function in the camera. And yes, getting it downloaded almost drove me to returning the camera and buying a Lumix, even with Sony on the phone.

I got the same camera and had the same issue. HORRIBLE documentation. Anytime I have had a question about a function, I have had to Google it, usually with successful results. The Time Lapse app is fantastic on this camera, though I cannot believe that I had to spend another $9.99 for the app after spending $800 for a pocket camera. And then figuring out HOW to get the app in the camera almost drove me to return it and buy a Lumix.

I often find the "backstage" shot of some of these premium locations to be more interesting than the shots we think we want (which everyone else has often taken as well)

The Seven Sacred Pool at Haleakala Park; Maui


What was going on behind me while making the photos of the Seven Sacred Pools

This is a point I enjoy exploring and bantering about on my photo tours. Are photographers artists or voyeurs? As it is usually characterized, artists "make" art. Photographers "take" pictures. I like to invoke Ansel about "making a photograph" by being carefully considerate about composition, subject, and overall technical considerations including lighting.

Recently I read a piece by Bruce Barnbaum in his book "The Essence of Photography" that gave me a whole new perspective on the question. (Much like recomposing a scene!) I would like to share that here, as I think it underlines what differentiates "making" from "taking" a picture or photograph:

"Photography is inherently different from the other arts. If you're a painter, sculptor, writer, composer, or virtually any other type of artist, you start with a blank slate and create (...). The subject or scene that inspires you can be imagined, remembered, or found in photography, on the other hand, (the photographer) must start with a "found object" -- whether it is a landscape, portrait, (...), or virtually anything else you can imagine -- and respond to it with (your camera) that you can then interpret in your own creative way. You generally have to start with what is in front of you, rather than invent something new." "The interpretation begins with the exposure itself, where you see what's in front of you, and simultaneously imagine what you can do with it."

"With landscape or architectural subjects, sports photography, or street photography, you have to work with a changing scene, with the ambient light, and you have to do it with few controls. A painter does not have the same restrictions. The painter can ignore the lock of hair springing upward or the conflict between the sitter and background. The painter can put anything into that painting that does not actually exist in the scene, and can remove any undesirable aspect of the scene from the painting. The photographer has to see the distractions and figure out how to eliminate or subdue them to the point of insignificance. Sometimes it's as simple as moving the location of the camera, so that the relationship between the forms of near and distant objects is better revealed, and sometimes this has to be done quickly before conditions change. The requires skills of quickness in seeing and responding that are quite different from anything required of a painter.

"Most important, you are thinking about the final image while standing behind the camera, and making sensible decisions based on your vision of the final image. You are not just recording the scene. You are now elevating the seeing of the scene to the same level of creative importance as that of your subsequent processing of the exposure."

I can help you connect up with photography tours in Skagway or Haines, if you want to drop me a private message to discuss serious options.

Will you be stopping in Haines or Skagway?

Be happy to help you plan your trip and do some guiding for you if you wish. At that time of year, there are actually some better places to view eagles than the Chilkat, which is certainly THE PLACE in late October/November, but September is a bit early yet. Bears are a good opportunity that time of year as well.

Great to see you on the Hog, Bruce! Drop me a line and tell me about your friend.

ProDPI out of Boulder, CO. (proDPI.com) Great quality, reasonable prices, great customer service. This is not a printing service. They develop your shots on Fuji Paper, and they do canvas wrap, metal, and all the other new popular styles.

Made the trip to Brevard last year, and did the following album with a 28-70. What you should take is a good strong ND filter and quality tripod! http://timenspace.smugmug.com/Collections/North-Carolina

Here is an example of having eliminated UV haze from an airshow in the Mojave desert, taken mid-day in warm weather. Other than the cropping, the post processing was in Lightroom using the clarity and vibrance sliders. I understand PS Elements have the same controls. (It also helps to have shot in RAW.)

While in Denali, definitely take the bus ride. I advise making reservations ahead of time. I would also suggest taking the ride out to the Eielson Visitor Center. Great views of the mountain (if it is out) and the surrounding BIG country. The trip beyond to the end of the road is time consuming and boring otherwise. (It gets you out to wonder lake, but if you are not there in the early morning or late night, the photo op is quite compromised.)

Here are the results of my trips up the road:
http://timenspace.smugmug.com/Collections/Alaska/Denali/

It is not my company, and most folks come prepared. I was just trying to be helpful. Never mind, and good luck to you. You will need it.

We do not officially, but you can easily rent a lens for the duration of your trip. I am sure that would fit with your budget, and give you a chance to experience using the lens before you invest big money. What equipment do you shoot with? I have been amazed at the zoom capability of the Canon SX50HD. For the money, it renders some excellent shots.

Will you be stopping in Haines? I work with a company up here that offers photography tours. We offer shorter tours in Skagway as well, and a lot of folks take the fast ferry over to Haines from Skagway for the longer tour. Let me know if I can be of help. We do supply tripods for those who need them, and I might offer some other tips as well. Cheers.