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More orange at: Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
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.
Orange chairs
Windows in sunshine
Windows in black and white
Windowss ( compare B&W to color)
Windows
Macro Monday
Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Snacks
So what do you snack on? Simple challenge but see if you can put your snacks in interesting pics…
I have tried cutting down on chips, tortilla chips so I have been eating dried bananas. But the mouse with a sweet tooth is always there first.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Treasure
I usually do not explain my photo choices. This lane takes me to a place I treasure for peace,my summer home. Watching this road you can see sun making beautiful colors and shadows as it goes around it. So it looks different all the time.. You can hear the birds sing – you can hear the silence! What a treasure to go and relax from the hectic life we lead.
More at: Weekly Photo Challenge: Treasure
carrots
Raspberries
Värikollaasi #166
Click the logo to see more color collages
Silent Sunday
Click logo to see more of silent Sunday
The Weekend in Black and White
More at. Friday, 14th February, 2014.
Valokuvatorstai – love
Omnia vincit Amor: et nos cedamus Amori.
Love conquers all, and so let us surrender ourselves to Love.
Listen to Sam Cook CUPID
Cupid draw back your bow
And let your arrow go
Straight to my lover’s heart for me
Cupid please hear my cry
And let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover’s heart for me
More photos of love / rakkaus.
314. haaste
Villa Rulludd
Black and white photos of this lovely villa
Nature Photos from Porkkalanniemi – Finland
One of my favorite places
Porkkala is a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland located at Kirkkonummi in Southern Finland.
The peninsula had great strategic value, as coastal artillery based there would be able to reach more than halfway across the Gulf of Finland. If the same power controlled the Estonian coast, on the opposite side of the gulf, it would then be able to block Saint Petersburg’s naval access to the Baltic Sea. The distance to Estonia at the closest point is only 36 km (22 mi). Porkkala is furthermore located only 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Helsinki, the Finnish capital, and a foreign power based there would be able to exert significant pressure on the Finnish government.
Nowadays the coasts of the peninsula are popular bird watching areas during spring migration as the Arctic geese and other waterfowl are on their passage. I love going to this place, it is so beautiful .
Immilä Watermill
I posted pictures of this place during winter , here are shots from summer.
 The village of Immilä has a traditional mill site. The oldest written proof of this comes from the year 1548. The first sawmill in Immilä was constructed around 1760. Several mills running there contemporaneously were owned by the local villages of Immilä and Uusikylä together with two large mansions, Arrajoki and Toivonoja. Also other services such as an inn, a blacksmith’s forge and many other different craftsmen found their place in the neighbourhood. Even in 1950 there were still three watermills and two sawmills in use. Then rural life changed rapidly. Although the oldest power plant of Nastola became functional here as early as 1903, it was only in 1950 when proper electricity network was established. This new energy form along with better transport facilities was the end of the traditional milling industry and mills closed down one after another. The old Immilä village watermill was restored in 1997 –… |
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Kite surfing
One of my best shots
Elefants
Elefants
Blue whale at the coast of Sri Lanka
Huge
In this week’s Wild Weekly Photo Challenge, we’re challenging bloggers to photograph what they feel best represents the theme Wildlife!
We saw this wonderful sight at the coast of Sri Lanka. One rarely gets to see a blue whale so close. We were told to be quiet and having listened to the captains orders; the whale came to check out our boat. It swam around and under our boat, so we were able to see it up and close – It was impressive!
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Wild Weekly Photo Challenge # 5 – Wildlife / Monkeys
Cute Monkeys
I’m participating in the LetsBeWild.com Wild Weekly Photo ChallengeThis week’s Challenge is: Wildlife
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Cee’s Black & White Challenge: 50 Years or Older
Immilän mylly – this place and these “machines” are over fifty years old!
more at_ Cee’s Black & White Challenge
Black & White Wednesday ~ tables
welcome to the table -first stop at the vanity table and then lets go to the dining room table, all set for dinner
Press the logo to see more black and white shots at:
orange heart
The Liebster Award
Shaniqua Marie from Inside My Head nominated me for this award, these are always an honor, if someone appreciates what I do. Thank you so much, I highly appreciate this! Also
Ajaytao 2010 gave me an award – also Highly appreciated!
Apparently The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers and the rules are that:
- Each nominee link back to the person who nominated them.
- You answer 10 questions which are given to you by the nominator.
- You nominate 10 other bloggers for this award who have less than 200 followers.
- You create 10 questions for your nominees to answer.
- You let the nominees know that they have been nominated by going to their blog and notifying them.
- What are your top three favourite songs ever? Well, things change so much at one point I loved Carly Simon and her song, they reflected the emotions I was going thru at the time. Jesse ( boyfriend trouble) at one point I loved Aimee Mann…and year after year I listen to Bruce Springsteen.
- What do you prefer: sweet or savoury? Both – I love tasty food.
- Do you enjoy reading? I am sorry to say that this moment in my life I read way too little. I spend most of my time with my “art” Photography, painting and sculpture If so, what is your favourite genre? I read chick flicks and detective stories
- What country in the world would you most like to visit and why? There are so many, I would love to visit countries in South America for one, Maldives. Australia at the moment is on the top of my list. I have long lost relatives there that I would love to meet and see the vast and beautiful country as an adult.
- What is your season: Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? SUMMER no question.
- Do you like sports? If so, what is your favorite? Not a huge fan, but walking , swimming is enough for me.
- What feature do you most like on a girl/guy? I’m going to go with kindness with both.
- What is your major flaw? Me…flaw? I am sure there are plenty. Lazy?
- What do you most like about yourself? my self confidence is an asset that has helped me a lot in bad or good times
- What superpower would you like to have? no this is hard one…give peace a chance – power to stop wars.
As I’ve previously also stated I am not going to name blogs to nominate. The ones I’ve chosen to follow all deserve a nomination. The blogs I follow bring inspiration and joy and I thank you all for that.
And if you feel that you would like to grab this – I am happy to provide questions.
- Why do you write your blog?
- Why did you start?
- hat gives you enjoyment, happiness?
- Do you like to be on your own?
- What makes you sad?
- Summer, Spring,, Winter or Fall?
- Which do you prefer, sea or lake?
- City or country side?
- Are you morning or evening person
- How are you today?
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 
