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.

Lefkara alleys

Photography, Travel

Some years back we visited the hilly village of Lefkara is divided into Pano Lefkara and Kato Lefkara , and is famous worldwide for its old-school crafts of lace embroidery and intricate silverwork. The village sits at the base of the Troodos Mountains in the southeast, at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level.

Houses built with horizontal layers of limestone interspersed with pebbles.

Wandering the beautiful alleys of the tiny village reveals good examples of the area’s architecture: houses built with horizontal layers of limestone interspersed with pebbles. It is one of the few villages in Cyprus where the houses are built almost entirely of local white stone, which contrasts beautifully with the terra cotta roofs. The picturesque quality of the village’s architectural style is further enhanced by the charming cobblestone streets and colorful flower-filled gardens that adorn the pathways. Walking through these alleys feels like stepping back in time, as each building tells a story of the village’s rich history and unique craftsmanship. The harmonious blend of natural materials and traditional design creates a timeless allure.

The houses here are not those of farmers but the homes of merchants and artisans. The houses are stone-built, some with doorways providing glimpses of flower-filled and vine-covered courtyards, while others are two-storey colour washed residences with balconies and intricately patterned tiled floors.

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Door at Suomenlinna fortress

Captures from Finland, Photography

This week I found this door from my archives. I decided to add some other photos from above and around the door as well.

Suomenlinna is unique in that although it is a bastion fortress, it is irregular in shape as a result of being built on a cluster of rocky islands with highly variable terrain, requiring a very free adaptation of the theory of fortifications developed in Central Europe.

Suomenlinna is to large extent historically authentic, i.e. consisting of original structures. Several significant layers of historical development in fortifications and shipyards may be seen on Suomenlinna. The dry dock at the heart of the fortress was the state of the art in 18th century technology.

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Flower of the day – Orchids ~10.04.2024

Flowers

Continuing to post orchids – as it seems I have a lots of images of them unpunished in my archives. And it is a beautiful flower.

For Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Monochrome – visit to the blacksmith

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

Outside of the city and into the country in Monochrome Madness was the Leanne’s post this week. Since it is a great topic, I decided to follow her lead.

Visiting the local blacksmith a few years back the photos have a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. As I walked through the idyllic countryside, the sight of the red cottages against the backdrop of green fields was truly enchanting. The gravel roads, weathered by time, led the way . The old trees, with their gnarled branches and thick canopies, stood as silent guardians of the road, offering shade and a sense of wisdom to the travelers passing by. It was a scene that seemed to be frozen in time. And as a profession a blacksmith is a dying breed.

I do love black and white photography, but this time I left the red buildings as is because they are so in the heart of Finnish countryside. A traditional Finnish falu red log house in is so common. The Finnish expression punainen tupa ja perunamaa, “a red cottage and a potato patch”, referring to idyllic home and life, is a direct allusion to a country house painted in falu red.

Falu red – Punamulta : is a permeable red paint commonly used on wooden cottages and barns in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

Orchid

Flowers, Photography

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Vizcaya Museum window

Interiors, Traveling US

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens stand as a testament to the vision of businessman James Deering. Constructed between 1914 and 1922. This is one of the window’s, beautiful stained glass windows looking towards the garden.

Monday Window

Tinka the cat

animals

This week, I captured only a few photos worthy of sharing with my mobile. Despite Tinka’s reluctance, she remains a pretty little cat always ready to pose. These are my submissions for Cellpic Sunday.

✝ Cross

Captures from Finland

The old graveyards hold a poignant history within their grounds. As you cross walk through these hallowed spaces, you are met with an abundance of touching life stories etched into the very fabric of time, while the marks left on gravestones and crosses bear witness to the passage of time itself.

Each weathered inscription, each lichen-covered monument, and each carefully crafted symbol represents a life once lived, a journey once taken, and a story once told. These grounds whisper tales of joy and sorrow, of love and loss, and of the intricate tapestry of human existence.

Linked to One Word Sunday at Debbie’s here

Lens-Artists Challenge #294 – Before and After

lens-artists, Photography

I will go straight to what John wrote” One of my favorite things is to take the images I captured from my camera and put them in a workflow through two or three different photo editing applications”. I love doing this too. He asks us to feature three or four images in your gallery that you tweaked for whatever reason and the original image out of the camera. Here are my Before and After

I was going through some old photos, and this corner in an old building with light coming in from above, the texture of the walls set my creativity to flow and edited it for this challenge. With this first photo I am giving you more details to explain the edits I did.

This is the one I added light and contrast, texture, and clarity. I also added some vibrancy but used less saturation. I toned down highlights, lessened blacks and shadows. I did not change the composition.

This is the one I added light and much more contrast, texture, and clarity. I also added some vibrancy towards yellows and added orange to the shadows. I toned down highlights but not as much as in previous version, used more blacks and shadows. I did not change the composition.

For this image I converted the original image to black and white. I did not touch the exposure or contrast. I turned down the blacks, added dehaze and texture. I turned the colors all down except purple and magenta that I added a bit

This shot I took while running to the seaside to capture the sunset at Páfos in 2011. The original is very bland, but with my newfound editing skills I was able to bring the warm tones of the moment into the photo.

I adjusted the exposure and contrast down as well as the highlights and blacks. I toned down the texture, but added clarity and dehaze. Touch of added vibrance and saturation. Added touch of orange to highlight and midtones. Then inspired by John I changed the sky and did lots of little fixes and had an enhanced version, that I then converted to black and white. I have very rarely changed skies, because I try mostly keep it real – well the way I see it – or in this case remember seeing it.

This is a street view from Vancouver that I converted to monochrome – I am a big fan of B&W images. The last one is trying to replicate the style lots of movies and TV shows now use, with teal and orange colors. In both edits I have also edited the exposure, contrast and shadows and light.

Last week we enjoyed the inspiration from Sofia – Water motions , it was a theme I really enjoyed. I saw so many wonderful posts about it. Next week Donna is bringing us a new challenge, looking forward to seeing what she comes up with. Until then, keep smiling ☺

To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Saturday Classics –06042024

Saturday Classics

The lyrics convey a feeling of being lost in one’s thoughts while people and their actions become mere shadows and echoes.

Harry Nilsson – Everybody’s Talkin’ – Midnight Cowboy

“Everybody s talkin at me I don’t hear a word they’re sayin, Only the echoes of my mind. People stopping staring, I can’t see their faces, Only the shadows of their eyes. I’m going where the sun keeps shinin Thru’ the pouring rain, Going where the weather suits my clothes, Banking off of the North East wind, Sailin on summer breeze And skipping over the ocean like a stone.

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.

Amidst the blizzard’s icy fury, silence reigns.

Captures from Finland, Photography

This is so not what I wished for in April. Amidst the blizzard’s icy fury, silence reigns.

April blizzard

SixWordSaturday

Flower of the day

Flowers, Still life

I should say flowers of the day. Here are some still life photos of the flower bouquet I got myself for Easter. I took these and wanted to play with the idea of creating an art photography type of images.

That was the aim, did I succeed I’m not sure. I had fun editing the images, that I know. The rose captures my mood today, that’s for sure.

I read that , for photography to be Fine Art, it must be more than just a literal representation of something. The image must communicate that it was deliberately curated by an artist to convey an idea, not just snapped by a camera to immortalise a scene.

Cee’s FOTD

delicate blooms

Flowers, Nature

We had a few days of spring, so I took advantage of the opportunity to capture the mandatory photos of snowbells. As one of the first flowers of spring, they symbolize new beginnings, hope, rebirth, and the ability to overcome challenges. The sight of these delicate blooms filled me with hope and positivity.

However, nature had a surprise in store for us – a fresh coat of snow arrived just two days ago. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I seized the opportunity to capture the enchanting snow-covered landscape. It’s fascinating how the same scene can take on a different, yet equally captivating, appearance with a layer of snow.

As I’m writing this, a snow blizzard rages outside. While witnessing a snow blizzard at this time of year wasn’t what I had in mind, it’s a poignant reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the beauty it holds, even in the midst of unexpected circumstances.

Posted for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Riga

Cities

This image portrays my sister standing in the shadow, framed by an open doorway shot of her on the way out of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, that reveals a sunlit street beyond. In my opinion the interplay of light and shadow creates a dramatic and artistic effect.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Our Lady of Sorrows Church is a Roman Catholic church in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The church was built in 1785.

Monochrome – an old, weathered building

Black and White photos

The cobblestone streets led me to an enigmatic relic—an old, weathered building that stood defiant against the passage of time. Its walls bore the scars of countless seasons, each crack and peeling paint layer a testament to memories etched into its very essence.

an old, weathered building in Riga, Latvia

The windows, some boarded up like secrets held too close, others revealing glimpses of the past, beckoned me closer. The sun, cast its golden brushstrokes upon the facade. Shadows danced, revealing hidden nooks and crannies. I imagined the building’s heyday…

Posted for Dawn’s Monochrome Madness

Hydrangea Edits

Flowers, Nature

The delicate beauty of hydrangea petals as they slowly deteriorate during the winter months is truly captivating. The intricate lace-like patterns that emerge from this natural process are a testament to the mesmerizing transformation that nature undergoes throughout the seasons. It’s truly remarkable how something as fleeting as the delicate decay of flower petals can create such a stunning visual display.

I love trying to bring it out details in my edits. If you are not familiar me as a photographer, I love the editing process. The framing of the subject and capturing the mood and details. Mostly, I do my best to stay true to the subject, just to enhance it a bit. Sometimes, well quite often I take artistic liberty when editing. I often convert the images to black and white as I find it it brings the essential part to focus. Or I play with the tone of the photos. Both styles shown in this post.

The last two images are true to what I saw. The last image is the original RAW shot, no edits. Above it is a a cropped and slightly edited version and on the top you see how I played with the image.

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

yellow

Flowers

Debbie’s One Word Sunday Yellow is this weeks theme. I bought myself flowers and just by luck there was some yellow flowers in the bouquet. What is the chance of that?

What I want to bring you with yellow flowers is the brightness of the sun, the cheerfulness of a new day, and the promise of positivity. If you are seeking to be inspired by warmth, enthusiasm, and joy, yellow flowers is an impeccable choice. Yellow flowers have been cherished for centuries for their ability to convey a message of happiness and friendship.

the Factors Walk windows

Cities, Traveling US

River Street is along the broad Savannah River. The century old buildings, once cotton warehouses, have been converted to antique shops, distinctive boutiques, spectacular galleries, quaint brew pubs, fabulous restaurants, unique nightspots, elegant inns and hotels.

we visited the section known as the Factors Walk, an original cotton trading area. It was constructed in 1817 and contains several pedestrian bridges that cross over the street below. Taking time to cross the bridges and reflect on the lives of those almost two centuries past, is mesmerizing. These walks have surely been crossed hundreds of thousands of times by many a hard working soul.

Monday Window

Last on the card – from March 2024

Photography

The rules are at the bottom, but I have to bend them a little bit, so I have also included the edited one except the one from my mobile.

This was the last photo on my Sony camera- shot with macro lens. The unedit on the top if could not tell 😀

I took a photo of bread with my mobile and unfortunately that is the last photo there. Luckily it was not the selfie I took 🙂

I took my OLYMPUS camera to a walk in the middle of March.

Last on the card

1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st March or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do

4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Spring day

Captures from Finland, Photography

Yesterday felt like the first day of spring, the temperature was about +9C the sun was out – shining bright and there was hardly any wind. I ended up sitting on the patio and watched the snow melt. It’s truly fascinating how the change in weather can bring about such a delightful shift in our surroundings. The gentle warmth of the sun, the gradual disappearance of snow, and the newfound opportunity to spend time outside can truly rejuvenate our spirits. It’s moments like these that make us appreciate the beauty of nature and the promise of new beginnings.

For Cellpic Sunday

Lens-Artists Challenge #293 – water motion

Photography

Water, the very essence of life, is rarely still. It flows, it crashes, it tumbles – a mesmerizing display of motion that has captivated humanity always. For this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, Sofia came up with this topic. Her post has beautiful inspiration to us all. I absolutely love the water element, she could not have chosen a more boundless topic for me.

The ocean, Earth’s pulsating heart, breathes life into every corner of our existence. Its currents carry warmth and coolness, shaping climates and nurturing ecosystems. As we gaze upon its boundless blue, we sense eternity.. The oceans salty embrace cradles memories, dreams, and the promise of distant lands.

Also the sea, with its endless horizon. It cradles life within its depths. The salty air invigorates our senses, reminding us of our primordial connection to the vast expanse beyond. Standing on a rocky shore, waves crashing at our feet, we feel both insignificantly small and profoundly connected.

Rapids are a symphony of whitewater, a chaotic dance of water rushing over rocks and churning into frothy pools. Rapids are a playground for the adventurous, and experience the rush of nature’s power.

Waterfalls are nature’s grand displays of cascading beauty. A curtain of water plunges down a cliff face, mist rising like a mystical veil. The sound is a deep, resonant roar, a constant reminder of the force of gravity. Waterfalls leave you breathless, humbled by the sheer power and timeless elegance of water on the move.

Lakes, nestled between mountains or hidden in forested valleys, mirror the sky’s moods. Their stillness invites contemplation. We watch ripples expand, carrying our thoughts across the water’s surface. In their quietude, lakes hold our reflections, revealing both our vulnerabilities and resilience. Still waters, their glassy surfaces reflect the world above—a mirror for our innermost musings. Here, we find solace. In the quietude, we glimpse eternity—the timeless dance of light and shadow.

From the rhythmic pulse of waves to the heart-pounding rush of rapids and the serene majesty of waterfalls, water in motion offers a mesmerizing spectacle for all. Whether you’re a beach bum, a whitewater enthusiast, or simply an admirer of nature’s beauty, there’s a form of water motion that will capture your imagination and leave you wanting more.

Last week Tina‘s challenge gave beautiful faces from around the world with so many emotions on display. I truly enjoyed seeing all these people in your posts. Next week John will present us with a new challenge, looking forward to seeing what he came up with. Until then, keep smiling ☺

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Saturday Classics –30032024

Saturday Classics

Saturday tune for Easter.

Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye / and by @cdkcompany

Said Gotye of the song’s inspiration and meaning, it was “definitely drawn from various experiences I’ve had in relationships breaking up, and in the more reflective parts of the song, in the aftermath and the memory of those different relationships and what they were and how they broke up and what’s going on in everyone’s minds. Yeah, so it’s an amalgam of different feelings but not completely made up as such.”

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

Two people, share a digital universe.

People

Couple, **intertwined in the glow of their mobile**, share a digital universe.

For Debbie’s Six Words Saturday.

Whispers of Yesteryears

Cities, Traveling Crete

“Whispers of Yesteryears: A Stroll Down Memory Lane”

In the heart of the old town in Chania, where time weaves its tapestry, lies a hidden gem – an enchanting alleyway that beckons the curious traveler. As the sun dips low, casting a warm golden hue upon stones worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, the air becomes charged with nostalgia.

Step into this timeless scene, where modernity dances with antiquity. The narrow alleyway, flanked by centuries-old walls, exudes a quiet magic. Each stone, each weathered brick, holds secrets – tales of love, loss, and resilience.

The sun-kissed walls wear a coat of faded ochre, their surfaces adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and cascading ivy. Quaint shops line the way, their wooden shutters half-open, revealing glimpses of treasures within. An artisan’s workshop spills out onto the path – woven baskets, hand-stitched leather bags, and delicate pottery. The craftsmanship speaks of generations past, a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity.

For CWWC

appreciate the uniqueness of doors

Cities, Traveling US

Lately on Thursdays I have been posting photos of doors, since I started doing this I have discovered that I loads of them in my archives. Dan’s Thursday doors has given me a great reason to post them.

What is the fascination to take photos of doors, and I know I am not the only one. So I gave myself a t moment to think about it.

Door from Savannah and beautiful wrought iron stairs

Taking photos of doors has become a delightful pastime for many , myself included, and it’s fascinating how something as seemingly mundane as a door can capture our attention. I took so many door photos when we visited Savannah.

Is it the architectural beauty, as doors come in an array of styles, from grand wooden entrances to charming little garden gates, each door tells a unique story. Or is it capturing these details allows us to appreciate the beauty in everyday structures.

Is it because doors symbolize transitions, opportunities, and boundaries. Do they evoke feelings of curiosity, wonder, and anticipation. We wonder what lies beyond that closed door, and our imaginations take flight.

I have noticed as I focus on framing the shot, adjusting angles, and noticing small details, I become fully present in the moment. It’s a form of meditation—a way to escape the noise of daily life and immerse ourselves in the visual world. The act of observing and capturing doors and it’s surroundings becomes a calming moment.

A house with a row of door behind the wrought iron work fence

The surroundings around the doors change with the seasons. Flowers bloom around them in spring, leaves fall in autumn, and snow blankets their thresholds in winter. Always something new to discover. Additionally, the play of light and shadow on doors varies throughout the day. A door that looks ordinary in the morning might appear enchanting during golden hour.

So, the next time you encounter a captivating door, take a moment to appreciate its uniqueness. Capture it with your camera, and perhaps you’ll discover a hidden world waiting to be explored—one door at a time!

a canvas for the imagination

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

The Veil of Morning Fog

As the sun timidly rises, it casts a soft glow upon the rolling hills, shrouded in a delicate veil of morning fog. The mist clings to the rugged peaks, blurring their edges and lending an ethereal quality to the scene. It’s as if the hills themselves are reluctant to reveal their secrets.

A narrow trail winds through the landscape, disappearing into the mist. Perhaps it was once a well-trodden route, but now it lies almost forgotten.

Here, silence reigns supreme. The only sounds are the occasional cry of a bird. Even the wind seems to hold its breath, respecting the stillness of this beautiful place.