"Who I am"

For my multimedia class we were given a quick turn around assignment that would show the viewer who we are as a photographer.  I believe who we are is where we come from, how we spend free time, and who we surround ourselves with.   All this influences my work.  I have always said, "You are what you shoot and you shoot what you want to be."   The  music by Nicklecreek: "When You Come Back Down."  It is significant to me because of all I had to say good bye to, to go to photography school.  As the song progresses I feel like I am the one "below" capturing people's moments.   I am there as others soar.  I am waiting for them to "come back down."  Here is what I ended up with for the short time we were given.  Hope you enjoy.



Untitled from Rebecca Helms on Vimeo.

Look Closer

I've spent some time in the studio this week focusing on my macro images.  Here are a few of the ones I liked that were shot on a Nikon D300 with a 60mm macro lens.  Lighting set ups varied.

Candy Ribbons

Candy ribbons are one of the nostalgic candies that are only sold during the Christmas season.  They made excellent subjects for macro photography because of their color, texture, and shape.  This was one of the many shots taken.  It is a 1:2 ratio.  Shot with a Nikon D300s @ f 8.

Forever Changed

In the summer of 2007 I had the life changing experience of going on a mission trip to Honduras.  Below is  a image that will forever stay imprinted in my mind and heart.  Fortunately, I had a point and shoot camera at that moment.  In August of 2008 I began photography school.  My snapshot may not be my best work but it is one of my own personal favorites for sentimental reasons.  This semester I have begun macrophotography!  I was able to bring home some Honduran money but have never displayed it.  The first macro assignment subject was our choice.  Below is a photograph of a couple things besides a changed heart that I brought back from the mission trip.
The currency was shot at f32 for maximum depth of field with a 20 second exposure.  The camera used was a Canon 5D (full frame) with a ring flash.  This image is a 1:1 ratio.

Ashley

My friend, Ashley agreed to model for me one cold, Sunday afternoon in November.  She did wonderfully.  She has so much personality and a wonderful attitude.  She was so fun to work with.  "Thanks so much Ashley!"

      

A Few Portraits from Portfolio

"Word Salad"

My final assignment in my digital imaging class was a montage.  Each student received: a type of person, theme, and 2-3 items.  Since your words are luck of the draw you can imagine the excitement and apprehension this project created.  My type of person was "bourgeois" (meaning middle to upper class), My items I had to include were: "tree, retro hairstyle, and ascot."  Lastly my theme was "expectations."
The image you see is almost exactly what came to my mind the problem was finding models who would fit the part.   I couldn't wait to shoot! One Sunday, I looked over at some friends in church and "saw my picture."  I had to trouble shoot numerous times.  My lens kept fogging up.  I was shooting through the back doorway of my parents home in the cold while the fire heated the front end of the lens from across the room.  Motion blur was an issue; Also, having enough fill without changing my white balance from the warm amber look was difficult.
I had a couple images I really liked, but this one struck me.  I did some blurring in photoshop to the background and added some ornaments to my Christmas tree. Some would call it neurotic; I call it attention to detail.  I have learned it's the little things that matter most in life, as well as photography.  Merry Christmas!!!