I agree, it was a fine short walk to visit and view. There were piles of driftwood to sift through. I want to make the trip again. Thanks for the reminder with your haunting view of the lighthouse!

Very nice pieces. I prefer the first; the building and site are in disrepair, the sun off the corner is like a metaphor for the possibility of rebirth after a terrible time, the close up of the purple flowers (symbolic of love at first sight or undying love) seem to symbolize there is life and love beyond the setbacks of living. For me, (a poet who writes to photography at times) there is the realities of a life lead, and the hope of a life to be. I like it. The second is a more macro version, less personal for me.

I believe, in many ways, aside from the art of photography it's like anything else. Microsoft Excel wasn't really an art when I had to think, and work, and set up the algorithms with its specific language; now I know it so well, most times I breeze through what was difficult and don't' give it a second thought. Excel has become a bit of an art.

These new camera's are much the same. Once the language and procedures have been done a hundred times, it becomes second nature and I do them without much thought to the procedure and necessities. I now point, my fingers move things to where I know I want to move them, and although I am mentally and artistically setting up a shot, the "computerized assistants" are set without having to work at them. So (except when learning a new camera system which takes less and less time each time one is added), the art gets all my brain power.

I'd say the answer to the philosophical questions is; repetition of the process, makes the advanced, computerized systems we are now dealing with, merely an invisible means to the art.

I back up all my recordings, photography, and writing onto (3) separate hard drives, (1 off site). Usually I do a single transfer of all files I want backed up, onto each of the hard drives, then use a working folder on my main drive so all subsequent transfers are much smaller.

There should be no trouble making the transfer to from your computer. I usually use USB cables. I have had drives die, and so back up my working folder/drive, once a week or more often, onto the other drives. The entire transfer of edited/new material to all drives takes about 15 minutes. Easily better than losing data.

As for the cloud, almost all thefts, illegal transfers, and other mischief have happened to the cloud. I know some swear by it, but my backups are all localized, and I do not use the cloud. Wherever I travel I carry my work drive (flash) and a back up drive, so small it causes not problems. Also, as with other online features for music, back up, if you are in the mountains or other areas where cell connection is spotty, the cloud will be inaccessible, my small 1 gig/ 2 gig, back up drive will always be there.

I definitely encourage backing up, however you do it.

Quite stunning and beautiful. My third trip planned is driving up 395 from Victorville, through Lone Pine, on to Yosemite. What a great inspiration your photos are.

I guess I sort of have my marching orders. I will let everyone know how it went. Thank you.

Thank you for that posting. This is my first foray into serious photography since my Mamiya 645 days. I have been doing mostly point and shoot the last few years with a Canon 4i, your posting inspired me. Funny thing is, considering the advancement in photography and equipment, I am a novice all over again; and if I get one good shot to compare with your posting I will consider it a good trip.

Thank you again. I will put this to work in my first rentals. Alaska, here I come. Smile for me.

Thank you, and if I may; I am looking for top quality - Model Number- lenses to rent to fit the Canons. When I buy, it will be with a wish list for what I may get. The sites offer many lenses, I want to try out the best of them. I will add a wide angle lens. BTW, my next trip will be to the Oregon Coast, there I will be renting the Nikon. Thank you all.

I am flying to Alaska for some shots and my first rental will be a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or a Canon EOS 5DS, I also want to rent the best zoom to at least 200 or more, and the best walk around lens. The selection is so broad that I haven't a clue when moving up from my present, inadequate camera, which lenses to rent. (I will be renting a NIKON D810 next to try out). In your all accomplished photo experience, which two lenses (I doubt I'll get a consensus, but I'll take a poll), should lenses should I rent considering, valleys, mountains and close ups of wild life and really close ups of flowers? Eventually after rentals and learning curve, I'll purchase a target camera.