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.
Flax – I have a flax wreath on my door. So here are some close ups of it.
In addition to their visual appeal, red berries have symbolic meanings in different cultures. They are often associated with love, romance, and renewal. In ancient folklore, red berries were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
The close-up shots reveal their intricate details and the play of light on their smooth surfaces. It’s fascinating to observe the variations in size, shape, and texture among different types of red berries.
The honeydew mushrooms with nice bokeh background, I m happy how I was able to capture the texture especially in the first shot. Color version of the previous post of mushrooms
Mushrooms in composition that could have been staged.
The honeydew mushrooms with nice bokeh background, I m happy how I was able to capture the texture especially in the first shot. Also the change of the gray tone has an effect on the outcome of the mood.
Mushrooms
I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.
Here are some images from the library, one could assume that people would be reading books, but most seemed to have a phone in their hands.
What is reading but silent conversation? Walter Savage Landor
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. George R.R. Martin
Looking down
I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.
Red berries are a vibrant and eye-catching sight in nature. Their deep red color is often associated with passion, energy, and vitality.
In addition to their visual appeal, red berries have symbolic meanings in different cultures. They are often associated with love, romance, and renewal. In ancient folklore, red berries were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
The close-up shots reveal their intricate details and the play of light on their smooth surfaces. It’s fascinating to observe the variations in size, shape, and texture among different types of red berries.
Autumn brings a captivating transformation to the fields, as the veil of summer is gently lifted. The once lush and green landscapes now unveil a breathtaking tapestry of golden hues, as the crops sway gracefully in the cool breeze. The rhythmic dance of nature’s palette, with shades of amber, russet, and bronze, creates a picturesque scene that stirs the soul. As the sun bathes the fields in its warm, honeyed light, one can’t help but be enchanted by the serene beauty that autumn bestows upon the cropped fields. Is. Amidst the rustling leaves and the scent of earth, there’s a sense of tranquility that envelops the surroundings, inviting us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the wonders of this season.
Brown and yellow – orange tones in the field empty fields framed view
What have you captured “On the Edge” of buildings, cliffs, rivers, beaches, tables, shelves, your finger, or your dinner plate? Feel free to use any kind of edge you can think of. You can also take the theme sideways…veering off into another meaning of “on the edge.” Think of “unconventional” or “edgy” or “avant garde.”
Lets go back and think about this, I was never afraid to be on the edge until recently as I’ve developed some balance problems, I don’t trust myself not to fall. And I have lived on the edge in many of my decisions, like moving to another country on a whim… no more about that.
Patti’s images are are beautiful, check them out be inspired.
This swimmer is certainly On the edge of the cliff
I was looking at Janet’s post and this came to mind. Kid’s, grandkids – there is a difference how treat them, I knew what my kid’s were able to do, I trusted their skills. I certainly was not on the edge with them as I am with my son’s boy’s. I know they are very active and sporty boys, but as my youngest grand kid was on that edge I was so anxious that he would fall down. My son, not so much 🙂
This is from Australia, taken from the twelve apostles. I was more than once on the edge when I took these photos.
This is from last night, I saw Patti’s post and same time I was watching soccer with my husband and enjoying a glass of wine and the players came on the edge of my glass. ( I have to say it took many, many shot to get them right on the edge.) Not much of a picture, but I had fun with it.
I was hanging literally over the edge to get this lizard shots
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Often when taking landscape pictures of cliffs, you need to go to the edge to get a nice one, or that is my way of thinking.
Once again reaching out of the edge to get a nice shot, this time of the sphinx on the edge..
Lets relax on the edge of the hill enjoy the view of the valley below.
Laura Bush petunias offer vibrant, fragrant, magenta/purple flowers that contrast against dark green foliage in a spectacular fashion. This old-fashioned variety of petunia was specifically bred to achieve excellent heat tolerance and disease resistance, and that’s exactly what it has
I am looking at vacations in a warm place, I would love to sail away from the darker days…you can always dream.
In this song, David Gray offers a getaway, telling a lady he’d like to sail away with her, putting his heart in her hands. He worked on the song over a number of years, writing and discarding verses along the way. It’s what he calls a “Frankenstein song” because it was cobbled together from so many parts assembled at different times.
This features in the 2001 Robert De Niro movie 15 Minutes and in the film Angel Eyes, released the same year.
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.
The Cockspur Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) is a large-flowered South American tree that is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks. It is the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay.
it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.
At Lake Ruuhijärvi
Autumn colors paint a breathtaking masterpiece on nature’s canvas. As the crisp air descends, the foliage transforms into a vibrant symphony of oranges, yellows, and reds. The once lush green leaves now burst with warmth and enchantment. Each tree becomes a glorious work of art, showcasing the beauty of transition. Take a moment to immerse yourself in this kaleidoscope of hues, as nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the season of harvest and reflection.
clouds over the lakeSomeone left a broken kicksled outside ready for the winterDarker clouds started to gather to the sky
This summer/ autumn the mushrooms have been really popping up, I don’t remember when we have had this much of them pop up in our yard. I Don’t recognize them from each other, so I don’t pick them up. I take photos instead and buy the ones I eat, better safe than sorry .
White fly agaric
The white fly mushroom (Amanita virosa) is deadly poisonous. Dangerous cell toxins damage internal organs: kidneys, liver, heart muscle, brain and blood vessels.
The white fly mushroom is completely white, and the color does not change from contact or other handling. The cap is egg-shaped when young, then bell-shaped and almost flat when old. It is sticky when wet and silky shiny when dry, and slightly yellowed in the middle when older. The gills are permanently white.
The leg is also completely white. Its upper part has the characteristic sign of a fly agaric: a ragged and hanging ring. A good sign is also the thick, lumpy basal part of the foot surrounded by a sheath.
you can find them everywhere – don’t know this one
fly agaric have been popping up some of them are rather big
Armillaria borealis
I did some search about these mushrooms, and was surprised that they are editable. The cap of the honeydew(Armillaria borealis) mushroom has clear scales, the ring is strong and effervescent. The scales of the tadpole mushroom, on the other hand, are insignificant, its leg is club-like and often dirty yellow. The ring of the species is thin and pendulous and often disappears completely.
The way the species grow is also different: the mushroom grows in dense clumps on the stump.
Oriental bittersweet is not flowering at the moment , but we are at the stage when the berries are yellow and leaves still green. Soon to turn orange and the leaves to turn yellow.
I like to see the leaves to entwine around each other
Water, the essence of life, flows endlessly through the rocky crevices and gentle streams. It is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and transformation. Just like water, we too must learn to flow through life’s challenges, gracefully navigating the twists and turns that come our way.
Movement
Imagine a babbling brook, its gentle melody soothing your soul. The water, sparkling in the sunlight, dances over pebbles, creating a symphony of nature’s music. It reminds us to embrace the beauty and serenity of the present moment.
Pebbles in flowing water
flow – flow
As water cascades down a waterfall, it reminds us of the power and strength within us. With every drop that falls, it signifies the potential for change and growth. Just as the water carves its path through solid rock, we too can carve our own destiny, shaping our lives through determination and perseverance.
So let the flowing water be a constant source of inspiration. May it remind you to adapt, to embrace change, to find strength in the face of adversity, and to let your spirit flow freely. Like a river, may you navigate through life with grace and purpose, leaving your mark on the world.
I was playing with my photo, or should I say editing my images. I shoot in raw so I can easily play with the color tones and change the mood. Mostly I stay true to the actual photo. If I don’t I mostly bring it to in the open. I usually do not like over edited and color enhanced photos. If it is beautiful – it is that with out over doing it. There are lots of images like that in Instagram, the may look lovely. but realistic is long way from them.
As I’ve opened about that… lets go. The image above is the original photo. I have edited the light and contrast.
Below you can see too mood changes as I yellows and softened the greens to get a more autumn feel to it. The one on the right I added orange tones and blue tones to the green.. autumn also , but the mood is totally different.
Then there is the monochrome image. Time well spent editing ☺
Any thoughts about these, please share, I would love to have opinions on these.
The road may be beautiful or ugly; it may be easy or hard, smooth or rough, it doesn’t matter; what matters most is where the road will take you!
Mehmet Murat ildan
gravel road
Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. Lin Yutang
road in countryside
I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.
Last chance this year to take photos of fall phloxes or other commonly used names are, garden phlox, perennial phlox, summer phlox, and panicled phlox.
She challenges us to choose up to a MAXIMUM OF TEN images which are your all-time favorites and tell us why you chose them.
I enjoyed looking through my archives to choose my favorite images. I have to say that I had really hard time picking the images. I had already a picked some images that I like to my blogs side banner. I noticed there are few that I chose here too. Some of my favorite shots .
Tina’s images for “Tell Us Why” are beautiful, check them out be inspired.
This image has the mood , an element that I enjoy catching. It is sea and clouds two topics that I love.
I took this on a supposed beach day in Florida, Del Ray Beach, that did not happen, instead I did get this
Again, I love the atmosphere in this night street shot, it was early October night, a bit of drizzle in the air as we walked in old town Nice, in France. I like the framing in this photo and the feeling of waiting that I sense in this photo.
Taken in Thailand in a temple in Phuket. This monk statue placed so that it looked at the mountains with well wishing bell hanging in front of it. Yes, Mood and I like how the photo is composed. If I would now edit it, I would remove the rope hanging that causes distraction.
Black and white still life from Verla It is a unique UNESCO World Heritage site that brings the turn of the 20th century to life. This is a detail from the THE MILL MUSEUM . I was given permit to take photos for a photograph exbibition that I had. This is one of my favorite shot of used cogwheels placed on the wall. The side window gave the shot beautiful light.
This is from Australia, taken from the twelve apostles. That coastline is so beautiful, I could have picked one of many shot I took there. I like the natural colors and the composition in this one, it is balanced and you can feel the cool wind.
I took this at the Helsinki Zoo as the brown bears were playing in the water. I le the movement and action in this animal photo. I like how the bears fits the frame and you can feel the energy they created in the moment.
This is from my home town of Kirkkonummi in Southern Finland. A road in afternoon light. The leading line of the gravel road and shadows from the low light gives it a mood and invite you to go t the light.
Composition and simplicity of the nature make this shot.
Well this one of my favorite shots of my husband, it fills the frame it is authentic in expression and you can see signs of life lived.
Sunset are lovely. spectacular color shows, but in my mind if you have something else also frame it is more interesting. This from Key West, Florida the sun setting and the pelican flying in front of a pier. The composition works and the silhouette’s of the background gives it depth.
Let’s end with a shot appropriate for the season. Colors, framing, leading lines make this shot.
The header is 10+1 it from Cape Verde . I love the colorful feeling of it the leisurely mood and I think the framing works. 🙂
September In The Rain – that is what’s happening here now. Raining, really dark and gray, not the same mood as in the song. Two versions of the song Rod’s from 2010 and Guy’s 1937
I don’t know why I love these kinds tunes. Old soul maybe…
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.
We all have these photos … throwback photos! Don’t we just… so many. It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.
This week (#TB Thursday). I was editing photos and for some unknown reason LR just kept taking me back to photos I took at Mojave Desert in Southern Nevada. I then took the time to have a fresh look at the photos. made few edits and Voilà – Here we are , some of the winding roads from the drive
The colors of the rock formations are really something so to name the place valley of fire is very appropriate
This one I know – I think, my guess is Cholla 🌵cactus
Devil Cholla
The various species of Devil Cholla are all Club Cholla, so-called because they have club-shaped joints with well-defined tubercles. Devil Cholla have no sheaths on spines. All are low-growing, often forming thick mats that can be impenetrable. Spines come in all colors, but can be sharp as daggers.
Mojave Desert of southern Nevada is where I took these photos
Desert view in Mojave Desert
Opuntia parishii Desert: Mojave Desert of eastern California, southern Nevada and eastern Arizona Height: Up to 4 inches Joints: Obovoid segments up to an inch in diameter Flowers: Lemon-yellow with greenish centers Fruit: Fleshy, smooth, yellow, to 3 inches long Elevation: 6,000-8,000 feet
Guest host Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyessays he turns to nature to rejuvenate and asked us how we recharge our body’s’ batteries. I would have to agree to that, nature does that.
Music, art and good food and dessert and wine accompanied by friends.. got to love that.
This weekend is a good sample of recharging for me, if you have read any of my posts you know that I am a often at my summer house, like many other Finns are, away from the city, hassle and buzzle of everyday life. Outdoors, barbecue, sauna and glass of wine, maybe two. Nature surrounding us is it the forest, lakes, sea or fields , as in my case.
Driving this road already set the mood for the moments ahead. Below water as an element is recharging. I love the sea.
Animal’s well you got to love them. Veikka and Tinka are my most recent pets. Cuddle them and you relax as you hear them purr.
Forest, trees, well the lungs of the earth, they are so important at the prospect of recharging no matter what the season.
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Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 