​Tell us a little about yourself:

Helen – Honey, Chooky, Mum and Jellyhead are also acceptable.

​I live in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.
I think I’ve loved photography for a long time. I received my first camera for Christmas in 1989. I was 14 years old; it was a Kodak that took really small photos. I still have a few of them, but wish I’d kept the camera.

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​Are you an amateur or a pro photographer?

Definitely an enthusiast! It’s my hobby, something that keeps my brain active and the creativity flowing as I stay at home raising, (perhaps dragging up by the scruff of the neck), our 3 boys!

 

What do you like to photograph?

​I love landscape shots and all things nature oriented, particularly big views and close ups of flowers. I also love abstract shots, but I have a long way to go with those. Oh, and I absolutely love doing ‘happy snaps’ of my 3 boys and my cat, Dottie.

 

​What is in your photography kit?

I have a Nikon D3100 with the standard kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200). Oh, and friends gave us a tripod, which at least makes me appear to know what I’m doing!

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What's your favorite lens?

As I’ve only used the kit lenses I can’t really say, but if I could purchase anything it would be either a really prime 50mm or a macro lens. I have heard that a good 50mm prime lens is the best to start off with.

 

​Any favorite photographer(s)?

The friends that I have met through photography forums and groups; they continually stretch their abilities and are willing to learn from each other to better their skills. I am amazed at the quality of the pictures they put up every day, and love to see how they have improved.

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​Which is your own favorite picture?

I have a few faves, but there are two standouts. The first is a picture of the moon; I have tried with every single camera I have owned to capture the moon, only to find white splodges on grainy black backgrounds. Seeing a full moon here in about September I found some advice on how to photograph the moon with a basic DSLR and went for it – I cried when I saw the final picture; it was a dream come true for me.

The second fave of mine is of the reverse side of a white daisy, which is a bright purple colour, held up against a backdrop of yellow flowers (which I believe Siew, you asked how I achieved such great bokeh at f/14 . . . I still don’t know!). It was a work in progress which started out average on my P&S and turned out beautifully when recreated with my DSLR.

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What is your dream?

​That’s easy – to photograph the Aurora Borealis. That is my #1 photography/life goal! I’d also like to combine my photography of God’s creation with writing, perhaps as a Christian devotions book or coffee table book, perhaps.
 

​Any advice or great tips to share?

Don’t be afraid to jump in and give photography a go; if you wait until you are ‘good enough’ you’ll probably never ever start, as practice is the one thing above all others that actually helps us improve the most. Learn from others; find out what makes their photos capture your attention. And above all, remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to photography; some of the photos I’ve admired the most have broken all the ‘rules’ completely!

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