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<p>Eric, it must have been great working in Yellowstone! I'll be retiring in a few weeks, and we plan to travel by RV. We hope we're also able to work in Yellowstone at some point, at least for a few months. </p>

<p>Yes, the rainbow is one of the things I really wanted to see. Once we know where to view it, then we can do it later on our own. So based on the fact that you went on the photo safari and enjoyed it, I think we'll go ahead and book it. If we aren't pleased for any reason, then we'll know in the future. But from what you said, and of course depending on how much wildlife we see, I'm sure it will be great. </p>

<p>Thank you both for taking the time to give me your thoughts!</p>

<p>Irene, thanks so much for your information. Yes, many of the questions you ask are questions I'm asking myself. We've actually been to Yellowstone three times. The first time only for 2 days, but each of the subsequent times for 4-5 days each. It's a huge park, and I'd really like to stay there for a couple of weeks, truth be told.</p>

<p>I've gotten a couple of good books (guides) for Yellowstone, and one deals in particular with photography. So I'm trying to determine if we just want to use those and go on our own or try this guided tour. What I meant by 'greater chance' is simply that I think those guides get a heads-up on where the wildlife is congregating, hopefully increasing the chance of seeing something. </p>

<p>I know of a couple of really good winter tours to Yellowstone, and we hope to do that in the near future. But I hadn't heard of the photo tours until recently. The other thing (hopefully) about a photo tour is that they would go at a pace for the photographer who wants to 'stop and smell the roses'. At least one would hope. Although this one sounds pretty commercial. I'm also not sure they'd be able to give me references of who has gone on them in the past.</p>

<p>Just curious......I looked at your portfolio (nice work, BTW!), and I saw the picture of Lolo Pass. Are you from Montana? I spent last summer in photography school in Missoula, MT, and I fell in love with the area. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Has anyone ever taken the photo tours in Yellowstone National Park? I think there are couple of different companies that offer them. Though they're pricey, we thought taking a tour specific to photograpny might increase our chances of seeing wildlife since those guides stay up on where the sitings are. And they get a really early start in the morning. If you can shed any light on this, please share! Thanks!<br>

Here is one of the tours I'm looking at: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/things-to-do/summer-things-to-do/adventures-on-land/picture-perfect-photo-safari/</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Irene.....yes, I think we'd like to try to drive from Cody to the east entrance of YNP. We've always come in from the west or north before. So we'll do the Beartooth as a day trip, come back to Cody, and then enter Yellowstone from the east. Thanks for the link to the highway site! I hope you're right about the area receiving less snowfall this year.....otherwise it's possible the Beartooth may not even be open yet. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>Mike, thanks for the picture! You know, as much as we've traveled, I have YET to hit a place that had a sea of wildflowers. We always seem to miss the blooming seasons. Maybe going through so much elevation, we'll hit some area with some wildflowers blooming this June. Thanks!</p>

<p>John and David, Well, we'll certainly check on the weather conditions before we go. We'll be there approximately July 2-7, so there could still be a lot of snow up there. I think we've decided for the first time we'll leave the RV at the campground and just drive our truck. Then we can determine for ourselves if pulling an RV is something we want to do next time. Also, it will make it a bit easier to pull off to take pictures. That is the ONLY disadvantage (IMO) to the RV lifestyle. You can't just pull off anywhere to take pictures the way you can (usually) with a car. And I'll just close my eyes for the parts with no guard rails. ;-) Thanks, fellas!</p>

<p>David, for some reason it never occurs to me to look up things like the youtube posts. It's so nice of people to do that! Now since I've seen it, I don't have to go in person! TOTALLY JOKING!!! We'll have a truck, and there are guard rails, I see, so this should be fine. I don't think it will be too hair-raising for me. And yes, last time we were in Yellowstone, we got snow and our water line froze on the RV in late August, so I know weather can be unpredictable. Thanks for providing the links! </p>

<p>Phil, I see our posts crossed each other since we posted at the same time. :-) I also see that I commented on your portfolio page awhile back and mentioned the RV connection. We're always anxious to share info with other RV'ers......interesting group that they are! :-) I signed up for iRV2 and actually did plan to contact them as well. I don't think I've been on RV.net (perhaps I have....not sure). Thanks for the recommendation. Yes, it's always good to talk to people who have 'been there, done that' with pulling an RV. If you don't mind I'll message you about some RV stuff. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>John, thanks. Yeah, that's kind of what I was expecting to hear. :-) I understand there are many switchbacks. But are there sheer drop-offs on one side, or do they mostly have guard rails? Or do you remember? And are there places to pull off along the way for photography? </p>

<p>Has anyone by chance driven on the Beartooth Highway on the NE side of Yellowstone National Park? And has anyone also happened to have been traveling by RV? We're wondering if it's wise or safe to travel on that road pulling our 30 foot travel trailer. Also, does it just freak you out to drive it? I'm a bit terrified of mountain roads (switchbacks), but mostly only if there aren't guard rails. Can someone describe the experience for me? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!</p>

<p>Michael....thanks, but that was the first thing I tried, and I got the error message. So I began looking for ways around it. When I first typed it I didn't think there was anything unusual about my text, so I couldn't understand why I would get the error message. So I tried cutting and pasting from my word processor. That has worked for me in the past, but it didn't work this time. Go figure. Anyway, thanks!</p>

<p>Thanks, Lex. Since I pasted my critique in my post, you should be able to see it. How would I strip out the html? I have no idea? I'm not a computer person and I don't even know what html is. </p>

<p>I did do your last suggestion. I typed it in my word processor, then pasted it in PN. That has worked for me before but it didn't work this time. I'm getting so frustrated with PN that I'm about ready to bail frankly! There seems to be almost no traffic anymore.....or maybe I'm just not traveling on the right roads. :-)</p>

<p>A couple of times today I have received the following error message when I try to leave a comment on an image:</p>

<p >Problem with Your Input</p>

<p > <em >We had a problem processing your entry:</em></p>

<p ><em>Because of abuse by spammmers, we can't accept submission of any HTML containing any of the following tags: applet area base body button div embed fieldset font form frame frameset head html iframe ilayer input layer link marquee meta object option pre script select span style textarea /applet /area /base /body /button /div /embed /fieldset /font /form /frame /frameset /head /html /iframe /ilayer /input /layer /link /marquee /meta /object /pre /script /span /style</em></p>

<p ><em>Please back up using your browser, correct it, and resubmit your entry.</em></p>

<p > </p>

<p >Why am I getting this? Once I got out of PN, came back in and tried again and it worked. But now nothing I try works. The message I'm trying to post is pasted below, and I don't think it contains any of the things mentioned above. </p>

<p >To be honest I almost passed over this one because it didn't look that impressive in the small view.....I guess it's often that way here on PN. But the larger view really pops! There is a certain beauty in that bleakness, and the interesting circular spots in the water create interest as well. What are they caused from? What do you think about bringing out a little detail in the end of the boathouse? With that bright sky on the right, it could balance it out just a bit. It's also an interesting looking building that I'd like to see a bit more of. As always, a very well thought out image (I like your toning), and you can find beauty even on a bleak day as this!</p>

<p>Doug and Tom,</p>

<p>I am just seeing your responses. Thanks so much. We had wanted to go somewhere to view the eagles over Xmas vacation, but the weather hadn't really turned cold enough and several people told us it would be best to wait. Now I'm in the process of retiring.....should happen soon, so I should be able to 'up and go' whenever I want. So this information will come in handy yet this winter (hopefully). :-) Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Lee......You're so lucky to live close to LBL. It's been years since we've been there. We camped when our kids were young. Though I probably won't go in the winter (I want snow and ice), thanks for reminding me about that place. We can definitely swing a trip there in the spring or summer. </p>

<p>Edward.....thanks for the details about the Locks 14 & 15. I've been researching it, and some other folks in my local photo club also have been there. So I think we'll go for sure, tho' I've been told it's best to go after it's been really cold for awhile to allow things to freeze. We'll keep a watch on the weather. Just hope we don't have the brutal winter we had last year. I'll also check out around Montezuma. I know there are Eagle Watches at Salomonie, which is close to there. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>JDM.....somehow I get the impression you like New Harmony! ;-) I played a chamber music festival down there 25 years ago and have not been back since. It's high time for another visit. But we'll probably wait until spring because I want to go somewhere that has snow and ice. So far it's been so warm that not too many places have winter weather yet. We're even considering Niagara Falls, which I've never seen in winter. Thanks for the great picture! </p>

<p>JDM.... I didn't mention this, but ideally I'd like to go someplace where there is a likelihood of snow and/or ice (for photography). Otherwise things can look rather bland in Indiana in the winter. :-) We've been to Spring Mill and French Lick recently. Had forgotten about New Harmony......haven't been there in years. A possibility for sure. Thanks for your suggestions.....sounds like you know Indiana pretty well!</p>

<p>Edward.....Through our local DNR, they offer a holiday package that includes a state park pass, lodging at a state park inn and a subscription to our Outdoor Indiana magazine. We bought that and are scheduled to go to Turkey Run for 2 days in a few weeks. Yes, you're right.....it's a great place, but last time we were there parts were inaccessible because of the ice. I think we'll check in to buying cleats. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Stephen.....thanks so much for the links. I did do a search online for eagle viewing spots, but there were a lot of them, and I thought I'd cut to the chase a little bit by asking around here on Photo.net first. We've heard about the eagles at Starved Rock, so we stopped to visit that park on the way home from out west this summer. It appears that the eagles are pretty far away there....over on an island.....perhaps not as accessible as other places. Not sure. Have you been there by any chance? I'll check out your links.....thanks so much!</p>

<p>I made another post asking about where to find bald eagles in the Midwest. Alternatively, I'd be open to any suggestions for photographic places to visit in winter in the Midwest.....just about a 1-day drive from Indianapolis. We just need a little get-away, and I'd like to get some good winter shots while we're gone.</p>

<p>Where could we go in January to see bald eagles? We live in Indiana and are looking for a short little get-away, not more than a 1-day drive away. That could include the Mississippi River area. It would be great if it were a place where the eagles are known to congregate in numbers so we'd have better odds of seeing them. I'd hate to drive all that distance and only see an isolated 1 or 2. </p>

<p>Michael.....I know it was a Sony, but I'm not sure which model....but it was something unopened he could get on Craig's List. Not sure what his recent thoughts are on that now. I'll check with him.</p>

<p>Craig....all good info. I'm kind of interested in this for myself, as well, as I said above, but I'll pass this along to my friend. Thanks!</p>

<p>Michael.....thanks....and yes, you're right....I think he actually used his phone, tho' I'm not sure about that. It could have been a P&S. He plans to purchase an actual video camera to improve the quality. He found a good deal on one, but it didn't have auto focus. He was wondering if he should buy it, and I couldn't answer his question. Thanks for your info!</p>

<p>Wendy.......didn't know about the focus rigs....that will come in handy for me when I start doing video. And the shallow depth of field makes sense....thanks! He doesn't have a DSLR, but he's looking at a video recorder that apparently has excellent sound quality. I have a Canon 60D, but I plan to get a new camera soon. I didn't realize you can plug in an external microphone to a DSLR....will have to consider that when I purchase. Thanks for your time and advice!</p>

<p>Matt, I'll pass this along to my friend. He's a highly intelligent guy who plays in my orchestra. He's doing a series of Youtube videos that are on the order of the old Leonard Bernstein 'Guide to the Orchestra' series. He analyzes pieces we will be performing on our concert series each week, and these 'guides' go out to our fan group and email base of subscribers. The videos are highly creative and humorous, and he's striving to improve the 'product'. He's such a bright guy.....and a researcher. So he'll be interested in your book suggestion, as well as the rest of the information. I think he has found a great idea....a way to help people grasp and gain a better understanding of classical music through this very clever approach. The audio is of course very important to him, as you mentioned. In case you're interested, here are a couple of the ones he's done so far. I think he may join Photo.net, so you may be hearing from him. :-)</p>

<p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BfH_sB_l7E<br>

and a more recent one which is already more sophisticated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cd9Vv_yg1I</p>

<p>I appreciate your advice, Matt. Just FYI, when I was at photo school this summer, toward the beginning they asked who among us were interested in video. Only 3 or 4 hands went up. We were told that by the end of school, probably 75% of us would be interested in it. Well, that's what happened to me. I saw the possibilities in video and hope to try something with it in the near future.</p>

<p>Hi folks, <br>

Knowing I'm a photographer, a friend asked me what I knew about video cameras. I'm afraid I don't know much, tho' eventually I'd like to do video. My friend asked me if auto focus was an important feature for a video camera (we're talking an actual Sony video camera....not video on a DSLR). I had no idea. But I have a hard time understanding how you can shoot video without auto focus. As you're taking moving pictures, wouldn't you NEED auto focus? I'm not sure how manual focus would work. I'm interested out of curiosity, but of course I'll pass along any answers to my friend as well. Thanks so much! BTW, the video camera is needed for shooting advertisement videos for a performing arts organization in town, and they need to be good quality.</p>

<p>Michael.....Now that you mention it.....yeah, I guess there wouldn't be much need to carry a roll with me.....except for the job I just did shooting 75 head shots. I can see the possibility though, so it's nice to have a car that it could fit in. But you're right.....I love natural light whenever I can get it and would prefer to shoot that way. To be honest, the main reason for wanting the darker background is because my daughter and her family are coming this weekend from Canada. I'm going to take our family portrait this time.....never done it before. The last portraits we've had done were with white backgrounds, and I want something different this time. But I also just love the more dramatic look a darker background can provide. BTW, I'm looking for a space I can use for a studio. Right now I'm using my garage, but I want to move to another location. Will keep you posted on that! </p>

<p>Bill.....very helpful advice. I think I'm going to forego the black for now and get something in black fabric later. As for the width.....the roll I have is the 9' roll, and it just barely fits in my SUV if I place it between the 2 front seats and let it rest on the dashboard. It won't even fit in our pick up truck. But I really want the wider one, which will allow me to take a group shot or family more easily than with the less wide one. I'm lucky it fits in my car, or I wouldn't be able to do that. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>For those of you who are interested, I posted in another thread the items I ended up buying. I just wanted to follow up with you all and thank you again for all of your advice and suggestions. It's been a real learning experience for me, but my first gig went well and I'm finally getting this lighting thing! :-) Here is the link to the other thread in the lighting forum.....it's my very last post at the bottom. <br>

http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00cpYp?start=25</p>