Stay off the interstate highways as much as possible. Creede is a cool mining town if you go to the Gorge. Another cool ghost town is St. Elmo. Guess it depends on your interests. I try to find the less visited locations as they can be more interesting and less commercialized.

Always sign the Matt on a print. Never sign the print itself as this decreases the value and over time can bleed into the print ruining it's collectability. Watermarks are not the same as a physical signature and as stated previously enlarge with the size of the print.

Machinery HDR is what I use and the price is decent. No monthly fees free updates all for around 40 bucks.

Love it

Live view with the filter on should not damage the sensor. Should it? I would zoom out to 200 center as best you can and zoom in from there. I need to practice also.

Some here say not to shoot the eclipse and leave that to the pros. Not me I am attempting it as it could be my only shot at doing it and who knows it might be a shot of a lifetime.

I won't be going any more than 500mm and probably 200 to 300 during totality.

And this applies to the question from the OP how?

And some people think nothing of slamming their doors open dining other vehicles. My guess is with a Buick they want to save the body work.

I bought the 7100 over the 7200 as there was little difference between them other than price which I used the savings towards better glass. No regrets here. As far as WiFi I don't need it and post process everything.

Thanks for the link. Getting fired up for this.

As a fellow Iowan you have much the same routine as myself for taking photos. Iowa offers many opportunities for fabulous shots it just takes a trained eye and gravel travel.

Tokina has a great wide angle lens for your camera. I have the 11-16 and do not regret it. As far as shooting the eclipse you shoot it how you want. I have seen some cool wide angle eclipse shots.

For night shots the Tokina allows for 30 sec exposures without trails. Again have seen some great shots with this lens and a crop sensor.

I am going to Nebraska to view and will be doing a wide shot along with a zoom. Two bodies helps with that.

Wow some people can be troll rude in here. You comment and others like yours give UHH a bad rap. You do know you do not need to post to the OP. Really rethinking how much I want to remain here with replies such as yours. Are there no moderators?

I got the Tokina 11-16mm used in mint condition for 375. Love it for landscapes.

I got an older Tokina 11-16 a couple of months ago on ebay for 370 and am glad I did. A great high quality lens.

Agree with what you said on marketing but because one does not know how to market does not mean he is not a professional photographer. It means he is not a professional marketer.

I do not earn a living at photography but suppliment my income nicely more as a freelancer. I don't make a living off of my photography but I have results that has gotten 5 images published in magazines since October.

Marketing is the hardest part to overcome. I am working on it and getting my name out there. I do not consider myself a professional yet but my goal is to get there in a few years.