Flowers #4
Author: Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
My name is Ritva. I am an avid, self-taught photographer from southern Finland, currently living in Kirkkonummi. Interest in life is evident in my diverse subjects, capturing anything that catches my eye. Whether it’s the delicate intricacies of a plant, the breathtaking beauty of a landscape, or the compelling energy of urban life, My lens finds and celebrates beauty in all its forms. Nature serves as an enduring wellspring of inspiration for me, as I seek out and immortalize its enchanting moments. Additionally, in portrait photography I try to capture human emotion and connection , as I aim to encapsulate the very essence of each fleeting moment.
I totally enjoy playing with photos and immersing oneself in the editing process. It’s truly satisfying to have the flexibility that shooting in RAW provides, opening up a world of possibilities for editing. I’m of the same mindset when it comes to photo editing; I prefer to maintain the authenticity of the moment captured, striving to avoid over-editing and keeping the essence of the shot true to life. However, I also appreciate the occasional opportunity to explore artistic expressions through my edits, transforming images into minimalist monochrome representations that beautifully convey the essence and emotion of the scene. Or using colors to enhance the mood of the image. This delicate balance between realism and artistic expression is what makes photo editing such a captivating endeavor for me.
Inspiration and ideas change. My knowledge changes and grows. Each piece I create is simultaneously an extension from the past, where I’ve come from and what I’ve learned, as well as a preview of the future, where I’m going.
I do not classify myself as just a photographer, as some might think from looking at my work. I am a sculptor, a painter, a photographer, an artist.
If a viewer stops for just a moment to view and reflect on a photograph, a photo collage or a painting I have created, then I have succeeded in my work.
Flowers #3
Flowers #2
Minimalist plant
Flower #1
Towards the light
Finnish summer night, walking towards the light
Small is beautiful
Mist colored fields
Night time
it was a beautiful misty summer night at the countryside, I went for a walk…with my camera and this is something I captured on my camera.
Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley
The lily of the valley is in bloom even thought we are already in mid June. I love this delicate flower. I took several photos of it, here are few in monochrome.
The Three Muses – FENCES
I have done several Digital Art posts on my other blog, this is one of them. if interested go and have a look
MM 4/7 – empty bottles
It is interesting what you can find in an old barns, I have visited this ones yearly and still always something new pops up, like these bottles. More Monochrome photos at Monochrome Madness, please visit.
Old Barn #1
Mattress springs
We ripped an old mattress to pieces, and put the springs on the wall of our outdoor storage as an art piece, waiting for it to rust. Here is a study of springs 🙂 what do you think ?
Old Barn #2
Wood sorrel
Wood horsetail
Wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum) one, two, three and four of them 🙂
MM 4-6: Repetition
Weeks pass so quickly, here is my entry for MM 4-6: Monochrome Madness This is a theme week, Repetition being the topic. Here is my take on it.
WPC – Friend
PHOTO CHALLENGE Friend . This week, share an image of a friend – a furry friend (s). Here are Emma, Veikka and Tinka.
before rain
wet spot
Nesting of the swan
As we walked around the island, we came across this swan nesting her eggs. We made sure we did not go too close as they might leave the nest if you go too near the nest.
The female swan nests alone. The male is guarding the nest or is eating somewhere further away. The female rarely leaves the eggs during this month’s nesting time. So it’s virtually not eating of for four weeks. Even when the female leaves for a small distance to get something from the edible from the bottom of the sea it covers its eggs so they do not cool too much.
WPC Evanescent
PHOTO CHALLENGE Evanescent was a new word to me, as I am not a native English speaker, ev·a·nes·cent [evəˈnes(ə)nt] Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.
When I was a kid, when taking car trips, we would try to spot cows on the side of the road. Pass the time counting them… Well it is not a sight you see to often now a days, at least were I live. These are from near my summer place, countryside. Even there you do not see cows that often. And seeing them, it does bring memories of day less hectic and fast paced.
On a hill
the path we take
Walking in the primeval forest in Linlo Island in Kirkkonummi. The path we take leads us to very varied nature types. Here are few that we walked.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 