Well, it was my cousin who did the cleaning for me.  (for free)  And he's a CameraWorld store manager.  But I still need to pick up my own cleaning kit.  
I was told that Adobe has a feature that can pin point all your "spots" and eliminate them upon download.  So, I need to look into that too.  I just got Adobe Lightroom  and maybe it has it too.

What I really need to do, is to get a laptop to download pictures while on vacation, so that way I know what my pictures look like from day to day.  So, I don't have to wait till I get home to see what they look like.  It's hard to see the spots on my little screen on my camera.  That's why I'm wanting a multipurpose lens.  Like a 18-270mm, to cut down the amount of lens changing, to keep the dust entering the camera to a minimum.


But on Monday I my mom and step dad invited us to go with them to Warrenton, Or.
And it has this--
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_179.php
http://www.nps.ghttp://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_179.phpov/lewi/planyourvisit/fortclatsop.htm
http://www.astoriacolumn.org/

And the Astoria-Megler Bridge



And hopefully, if I get time, and the kids aren't too, "dad you've taken enough pictures already!"  mode, there is Neah-Kah-Nie Mtn, and Hug Point.  But that all depends on the weather and lighting.  So, we will see what happens.  

I'm gonna try to shoot in that F range till I can get a kit to clean at home.   

I love that spot, but it's really windy and cold!

Shot this real quick on the way back.

First of all I got the latest issue of Popular Photog, and in there, was a listing for a photographer.  The name sounded familiar and of course, I went to school with this little b*std.  If you knew him 20 years ago, you would have wanted to kill this guy.  But looking at his site, he has done very well in the industry.  Some very nice work.  He likes using the shutter delay in his beach/ocean pics.   http://darrenwhitephotography.com/


But here is some of my favorites from last night.  I really love going to the Pacific Oyster jetty in Bay City, which is right down the road from me.  Kyle I know, you posted up the list of places to shoot around my place.  But you get in that mood, and forget what you have around you, because you see it all the time, or you get too busy, to realize what a half hour of your time can produce.












I wanted to go out the night before, but I didn't get time, too busy grilling meat.  But the clouds from my house were an incredible pink.  I really wished I had the chance.  But oh well. 

Thanks.  The grass was off the cuff.  Had to free hand it, since I broke my tripod last night!   
I think my biggest thing is I tend to forget to slow down and relax and think things through.  I just get in a hurry taking pictures, while I'm loosing my lighting. 

But tomorrow, I'm going north to Warrenton and hopefully, everything will be just right for photographing. 

Another shot, same location, a little to the left.

thanks Dave.

Here is my last one:

Nice work! I like the fire painting!

ok now photoshop yer truck on top

It would be pretty small, especially since you can barely see the rock climbers on that thing.

Cheers, I've been enjoying your work for a while now on DGrin

Thanks.

All of these pictures are amazing. Now Im going to have to either take a photography class or throw away my camera and never take pictures again. Any one recommend any books on photography?

Best thing you can do is read your camera manual front to back until you understand what it does, then go on the internet and find out why it does it, then buy a book on lighting and one on composition. It also helps if you know what kind of pictures you will be taking. If you will be shooting everything, learn a lot. If you will focus on one topic; Landscape, Portrait, Macro, Night then it will be easier for you to learn and cheaper for you to get the gear you need.

Think of it like this: Would you rather build a truck that can crawl and mud and desert race and street drive or would it be better if you focused on one of those and purpose built the truck.

Little edit for fun.


Yosemite River by Simpson Brothers Photography, on Flickr

Ok, some pics from yesterday in Warrenton/Astoria, Oregon.

Fort Stevens, the only place where we were bombed on US soil by the Japanese during WWII.

Steps around where the 10" guns turrets used to be.


Rings in the concrete


South Jetty of the Columbia River


Some rusty steel door frame




Astoria Column




Astoria/Mishler Bridge.  Spans the Columbia to Washington.  My grandfather was the crane operator when it was built.

Ok, some pics from yesterday in Warrenton/Astoria, Oregon.

Something to keep in mind...

Rule of Thirds
One of the most popular and well known compositional rules is the Rule of Thirds. This is based on the idea of an imaginary grid being placed inside your camera’s viewfinder. Picture a tic-tac-toe board, and you’ll get what I mean. As you observe your subject, the grid acts as a guide to show you how to compose your scene. Try placing a face on one of these intersections, or the main focal point of your image here.

You can also try and make sure that you have enough “seeing” space in your composition. If a person is looking to the right, try and place them on the left side of the frame with their eyes pointing towards the open side of the image. It just adds to the direction and story of the image.

This rule is something I think about every single time I click the shutter. It’s just burned into my brain, and I’ve found its a fast, and very simple trick to vastly improve the quality and interestingness of my photos. Try it!

Look at the "Golden Spiral" also
http://www.acdsee.com/newsletter/article/2005-10-30