Author: Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

These artists walking home over the ice, it caused many of us watcher’s missed heartbeats as there was open sea very close and undercurrents that might cause the ice to break.

Cellpic Sunday

Moody

Nature

Spring and moody weather

For One Word Sunday

Lens-Artists Challenge #290 – Cirkular Wonders

What a beautiful cavalcade of photographs Ann- Christine presented us in her unique challenge this week. Circular wonders is something that does make your think first of moon, sun, and ball. No? But you can find it in unexpected places when you take a moment to think about it. Half or full circle …

I did some digging and this is what I found. To enlarge the images just click on any of them the the separate galleries – I recommend it 🙂

Now that I covered the obvious choices it is time to concentrate finding something more creative. Few days ago we took our grandkids at the end of their visit to the Helsinki train station and went to have lunch at one of the restaurants there. It used to be a ticket office. It is a big hall, but the interior is softened by circular interior.

Half circle is a log time hit in architecture . The images are from a jewel of national romantic architecture Hvitträsk museum in Espoo ( the darker photos) and the other two from Villa San Michele in Capri.

I did mentions a ball ⚽ Well come on, I could not, not mention fruits and berries.

And then round – circular things that came up and I couldn’t help myself – just had to post them

Thanks John for last week’s journey to the basics of photography. I truly enjoyed it, as it gave the opportunity to reflect on what is essential in photography. Next week we have Patti challenging us with something else, we will have to wait and see what she comes up with.

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 – 09032024

Saturday Classics

Charles Aznavour – Tous les visages de l’amour / She

This popped up – and it is such recognized song, mostly as sung by Elvis Costello in ‘Notting Hill’

Aznavour recorded the song in several different languages aside from English, including Spanish, German Italian and his native French.

This was the theme from the UK TV series The Seven Faces of Women. It was written by Herbert Kretzmer, the lyricist of Les Miserables, and Aznavour, who wrote the music.

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.

Sun-kissed ice whispers secrets to city.

Captures from Finland, Interiors

Debbies Six Word Sunday

Forest Pathway Tranquility.

Landscapes, Travel, Traveling Australia

A serene and secluded forest path, enveloped by tall, lush green trees in Queensland. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, inviting trail. It was a delight to venture along this winding path.

I could not resist, I did two edits of this photo.

For CWWC: March 7, 2024

What a square ⬜ Solitude Amidst Urban Greenery

Cities, Photography

I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.

From an aerial vantage point, we peer down onto a nondescript sidewalk. The pavement, a patchwork of square tiles, stretches ahead like a monochromatic ribbon. But it’s not the pavement that captures our attention; it’s the lone figure treading upon it. A person walks, the posture suggests introspection—a deliberate escape from the cacophony of urban life or just maybe she is lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to the world around her .

On either side of the sidewalk, lush trees stand sentinel. Their leaves form a natural canopy, filtering sunlight into dappled patterns. Their branches reach out, as if urging the wanderer to pause, to breathe, to listen. Adjacent to the trees, empty bicycle racks stand in orderly rows. They wait patiently, like forgotten companions, for riders who haven’t arrived. Numbers—cryptic symbols—adorn the road. “20” and “20.” Are they parking spots? Coordinates? We can only speculate. Yet, these markings lend an air of mystery, inviting us to unravel their meaning.

Have a I captured this fleeting moment, preserving it for eternity, a glimpse of quietude.

In this shot you are invited to step into the wanderer’s shoes. To feel the coolness of the pavement, the rustle of leaves, and the weight of our own thoughts. It’s a reminder that amidst the hustle, we can find stillness; in the ordinary, we discover the extraordinary.

So, take a breath. Walk alongside the solitary figure. Let the greenery envelop you. And in this urban reverie, find your own moment of reflection.

Remember: Sometimes, it’s in the spaces between footsteps that life speaks loudest.

The scene unfolds like a forgotten interlude—a pause in the symphony of urban life. The buildings, stoic and weathered, stand shoulder to shoulder, their walls bearing the marks of time. The beige structure, unassuming yet dignified, seems to lean slightly, as if sharing a secret with its crimson neighbor. And there, nestled between them, lies the narrow street—a silent conduit for wheels and footsteps.

The cars, like obedient sentinels, rest in neat rows. Their colors—pearl white, midnight black—mirror the monochrome palette of the pavement.

And then, the trees. Ah, the trees! their branches stretch upward, defiant against the rigid geometry of man-made structures. Leaves flutter in the breeze, casting fleeting shadows on the asphalt. No bustling crowds disturb this tableau. Only one’s hurried footsteps echo off the walls.

Amidst the beige and the red, the cars and the trees, we glimpse the poetry of stillness.

Emma – museum of modern art

Here are some photos I took from our visit to the EMMA museum in Espoo.

Below ROLAND PERSSON, PANAMA PAPERS, 2016

Glass and ceramics are made from natural raw materials. When cared for properly, they can last forever. Their enduring appeal rests upon a legacy of skills and knowledge passed down through generations. The visionary artists featured in this collection have been inspired and influenced by international trends, but their work is also informed by local traditions. The result is a unique creative fusion.

Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968, the Futuro House is a round, prefabricated dwelling that resembles a flying saucer. Its unique shape and airplane hatch entrance have made it an iconic piece of architecture.

Exhibition Centre WeeGee in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, houses the first-ever mass-produced Futuro house (No. 001)

Echoes of Time: The Forgotten Ruins

Black and White photos, Photography

This is an old barn that at one point burned but the ruins are still standing. You are not supposed to enter the building, but as you can see, I am not the only one who has been there.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Click one the images to get a better view.

Echoes of Time: The Forgotten Ruins

The whispers of history cling to the air like cobwebs, stands a relic of the past—a crumbling brick building. Its walls, once proud and sturdy, now bear the weight of time and neglect.

The focal point of the scene is the remnants of an arched brick structure. Each brick tells a story—a laborer’s sweat, a mason’s precision, and the dreams of generations. The arch, though weathered, still holds a hint of elegance, as if it once welcomed visitors with open arms. But now, it stands as a silent witness to the passage of time.

A door, stubbornly clinging to its frame, beckons me closer. Its dark brown hue suggests years of exposure to the elements. Now, it hangs askew, its wood softened by rain and sun.

Around the ruins, nature reclaims its dominion. Fallen leaves carpet the ground, their fiery hues contrasting with the gray of decay.

Above, an overcast sky weeps silently. It mirrors the melancholy of the scene below. Raindrops, like tears shed for lost memories, have etched patterns on the bricks. The clouds seem to mourn the passage of time, obscuring the sun that once bathed this place in warmth.

For even in decay, there is beauty—a quiet resilience that defies oblivion. And so, I leave the ruins behind, carrying their echoes within me, a witness to their silent tale.

Monochrome – textures

This week it’s very straightforward – photos of different textures. I took my time looking for these and ended up with, once again, too many images. I took lead from Sarah’s great samples.

All images can be enlarged by clicking on them. For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Sarah’s #3: Seeing textures in black and white

First college has textures of fur and feathers.

Second set is man-made materials

Last set is filled with textures from nature. I once again posted too many. Well that’s me.

Last but not least fresh grapes 🍇

View to Finnish National Theatre

Photography, Traveling Crete

Last week I posted pictures of doors and hallways in Ateneum Museum – this is from there too. On the other side of the square you can see the Finnish National Theatre. This week for Ludwigs Monday Window I give this view.

The Finnish Theatre was established in May 1872 . For the first 30 years of its existence, the company operated at the Arkadia theatre. The theatre did not acquire a permanent home until 1902, when a purpose-built theatre was erected in the heart of Helsinki, adjacent to the city’s main railway station. The building design was by architect Onni Törnqvist-Tarjanne. The company moved to its new home on April 9, 1902 and was renamed the Finnish National Theatre.

Monday Window

Turquoise chairs

Debbies One Word Sunday: Seating

Lens-Artists Challenge #289 – Tools of Photo Composition

lens-artists, Photography

Of the many composition factors in photography, this challenge focuses on Shape, Form, Texture, and Light, that’s what John’s from Journeys with Johnbo challenge this week is about. I really had to concentrate on this one, not the easiest to tackle. Thank you John for providing great samples to get me started.

Photographers often capitalize on the architects’ use of triangles, circles, rectangles, arches, and other basic shapes.

Click on the photos to see the larger images of this Amalfi Catholic church and the many shapes it has. Also the last shot from Capri has some nice arches.

For Geometric form I am taking you to Paris 🙂

The difference between shape and form can be muddy, but artists typically consider shape to be two-dimensional while a form is three-dimensional. Organic form in flowers – in black and white from my garden.

Texture images entice viewers, create moods, and communicate ideas. Old rusty tools, newspaper clippings on wood show the time added textures. The spiders’ web with droplets and decay of the flower has a lovely texture. The vibrant orange jellyfish gracefully floating. The jellyfish exhibits delicate, translucent tentacles that appear to glow, and its bell-shaped body displays intricate textures and layers.

Capturing light.

Photos wouldn’t be possible without light and since the first cameras, capturing light is what photography is all about. This is the most important thing about photography. I still have tons to learn more about it. There are so many ways to describe light in photography; Ambient Lighting, Long Exposure, Key Light, Light Soft or Hard . It does not matter what you call you need to use it , or you don’t have a photo’s.

Last week I hosted my first official challenge as team member. I was happy to see all your responses and how you all have interpreted the topic. So many beautiful posts. Thank you for the nice welcome you gave me. I did my best to notice all your entries.

Next week Ann-Christine of (aka Leya) is hosting, and she always has interesting topics and her photography is beautiful and inspirational, always a blog worth a visit.

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

What a square ⬜ Need A drink?

Cities, Photography

I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.

For some reason I have lots of window shots newly edited, due to having gone through the archives lately looking for forgotten gems . This looked good as a square, a view to a bar. As I played with it I did two edits and I prefer the one on the top with the faded colors and haze finnish.

I do like editing and see if can capture mood I was in when I took the shot. Mellow maybe?

Saturday Classics – 02032024

Saturday Classics

The cranberries – linger

This week I am posting a song that came up in my Spotify feed in one of the playlists. Yes I like it, so I thought I’d share it.

Dolores O’Riordan wrote this song about her feelings following the breakup with her first boyfriend, the soldier who broke her heart. She said the song is about “the way I reacted to infatuation.” she described this as “a love song.” In the lyric, she describes being mistreated by her love and seeing him with another girl, yet unable to break free because he lets their relationship linger. This hardy seems the stuff of dreams, but the feeling of first love is what O’Riordan keyed in on. It brought her back to a time of innocence.

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

Color ✏pencils ✏

The Last Photo on my card is from the EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art. We went to the museum shop before we left and I took pictures of these color pencils. As this was the request for one unedited shot, here it is. Last on the Card – February 2024

#LastOnTheCard

A day at the museum

Here are some artworks from the collection exhibition; A Question of Time reflects on the major questions of our time through art. The exhibition also offers fresh perspectives into Finland’s oldest and most extensive art collection and how it was built.

each gallery can be opened separately and click the image’s to see them larger

Doors to Ateneum

Cities, Traveling Australia

This year we did not fly to the sun vacation due to many reasons, so this week we have been visiting few museum. We went to see the collection exhibition; A Question of Time reflects on the major questions of our time through art. The exhibition also offers fresh perspectives into Finland’s oldest and most extensive art collection and how it was built.

Here are few doors from the Ateneum – Finnish National Gallery entrance and few doorways at the museum.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Revisiting photos – nighttime in the city

It’s amazing how a fresh perspective and improved skills can breathe new life into old photos. The process of revisiting and reimagining them can be quite rewarding; it allowed me to uncover hidden photos that I previously overlooked. Embracing artistic freedom and honing your editing skills can truly transform the way one looks at your own captures.

I took these in Australia, but I ignored them previously due to not being sharp enough. But with a bit of artistic liberties they turned out to be Okey shots. First shot is from Sydney and the other from Melbourne

What a square ⬜ Fashionable?

Cities, Photography

I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.

For some reason I have lots of window shots newly edited, due to having gone through the archives lately looking for forgotten gems . This looked good as a square.

What a square ⬜

Becky is back again with her Square ⬜ Photo Challenges and I thought I’d give it a go. I don’t often crop my photos to square . This month the subject is Square Odds.

I don’t do odd – or do I ? I do whatever catches my eye. This time I looked up these shoes.

old geranium is on grandma’s windowsill

Here is this week’s entry . There is a song in Finland called Tango pelargonia. It came to my mind when I rediscovered this image from Tammisaari.

The old geranium is on grandma’s windowsill
and under the window
sings a street singer.
He sings to my grandmother …

Monday Windows

shadow

Early Spring shadows on the frozen lake.

One word Sunday – Shadow

Cellpic – Escalators