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.

St. Augustine

Cities, Photography, Travel, Traveling US

Unfortunately we got to the town center after 5PM so we did not have much light time to take photos of the buildings, also there were so many people around that getting a shot was a challege. This is clearly a tourist area with lots of shops and restaurants and bars in these old buildings.

The 29th Annual Nights of Lights was still going on so the there were plenty of lights. Our stop in was quick, one night only so we did not see all that much of the city. We ended the evening looking at the moot at Castillo de San Marcos

You can’t stay in in St. Augustine without visiting the Castillo de San Marcos, “St. Mark’s Castle”. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. The construction started in 1672 and finished in 1695. The fortress is made of coquina stones.
The fort was declared a National Monument in 1924, and it was deactivated in 1933 after 251 years of continuous military possession.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

Cities, Photography, Travel, Traveling US

Hardly a day goes by without checking out a lighthouse. So, before going into the historic city of St.Augustine we hit the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The climb to the top was exactly 219 steps. The view was spectacular.

The first lighthouse or should we call it a watchtower was built in 1589 by the Spanish colonials. Sturdier structure replaced the wooden tower in 1737 and it was made or coquina (shell rock) and wood. The current lighthouse was finished in 1874.

Lighthouse Keepers house was worth visiting, also, with its historic displays. It was early January so the Christmas decorations were still there, not really my thing, so they limited a bit of what I photographing as I did not want seasonal photos.

We were told that you could get the best shot of the lighthouse from the pier, unfortunately due to the backlite the shots from the pier did not turnout the best, but I understand that during an other time of the day that would have been the case.

My husband Mara Sillanmäki provided most text

The Society of the Four Arts

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach garden, Florida. Such a lovely spot to take a break, I don’t think a really appreciated all the different gardens- or to be honest noticed them, but it was a lovely spot to visit. See some art. There were several people there reading, stretching and drawing and just sitting in the shadows of the pergolas

.Originally designed in 1938, the Botanical Gardens are demonstration gardens that educate residents and visitors about the diversity of plants that thrive in South Florida’s climate. The gardens are divided into themed spaces that reflect popular architectural and planting styles in the area: Chinese Garden, Fragrant Moonlight Garden, Palm Garden, Bromeliad Garden, Jungle Garden, Spanish Facade Garden, Formal Garden, Tropical Garden, and Madonna Garden.

My favorite was the Chinese garden and I found the statues and art to be lovely.

The different areas of the garden were lovely also even if it was winter.

There were several statues in the garden I took photos of some of them.

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages

lens-artists, Photography, Travel

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages is hosted by Donna from Wind Kisses , LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #234:-Messages

Donna Wrote; To some, photography is formal, with clear and concise messages. Others want you to feel the photos, and take away impressions from what you see. At the end of the day, it is always our story, driven by our character and passions, that we showcase.

As I’ve stated before I am not a very technical photographer, more into composition, mood. I do my magic on the edit table mostly, if you can call it magic, more like my interpretation of places and people. I am also not one to write all that much, let the photos speack for themselves.

I think some of these speaks, relates a story. Hope you agree 🙂 I find monochrome images are great way to showcase messages of emotions and action as all unnecessary is taken away

In colors also – obviously.

Nature in all its forms speaks volumes

I have two cameras an old reliable SONY SLT-A65V, and I have two lences I use with it one for Macro Sony Macro 2.8/50 and portraits. The other for nearly everything a Sony 18-200mm.

The Sony has been in less use since I bought a new lighter one to carry around, its a Olympus E-M10 Mark II with a 14-150mm lense and I have a OM-D M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 for street and portrait photography

LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #233: A One Lens Walk

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

For this week’s challenge is hosted by Anne from Slow Shutter Speed , LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #233: A One Lens Walk The challenge is for you is to take a lens for a walk. Yes, choose a lens and walk.

I have two cameras an old reliable SONY SLT-A65V, and I have two lences I use with it one for Macro Sony Macro 2.8/50 and portraits. The other for nearly everything a Sony 18-200mm.

I am not a very technical photographer, more into composition, mood. I do my magic on the edit table mostly, if you can call it magic, more like my interpretation of places and people. I am also not one to write all that much, let the photos speack for themselves.

These are shot with the Olympus and the with a 14-150mm lense

Natures green always inspires me

Details from nature are often important things to photograph to me at least as they are found near and are beautiful, the birds had been leaving lots of feathers.

Posted for Slow Shutter Speed

Wakodahatchee

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

The first day of out holiday to US we were in Florida and went to visit Wakodahatchee wetland park.

We were already at the Wakodahatchee Wetland (Delray Beach) just after 10am. We toured the Boardwalk and saw e.g. four alligators enjoying the sunshine, great blue heron, egret, wood stork and double crested cormorant, and tricolored heron and a turtle. The birds were reportedly preparing for mating and nesting, the woodstocks were very active making the nest but otherwise it was a pretty lazy day for the animals.

We ran into a few people who said they go to the wetlands every day for a walk. I can say I was not the only one thre with a camera. Here are some of the shots that I got.

Here is some background info about the he park, it was created on 50 acres (20 ha) of unused utility land and transformed into a recreation wetlands open to the public with a three-quarter mile boardwalk that crosses between open water pond areas, emergent marsh areas, shallow shelves, and islands with shrubs and snags to foster nesting and roosting.

Over 150 species of birds have been spotted inside the park, including wood stork, pied-billed grebe, snowy egrets, and black-bellied whistling ducks. The park is also home to turtles, alligators, rabbits, frogs, and raccoons.

Each day, the Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps approximately two million gallons of highly treated wastewater into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which in turn acts as a percolation pond, returning billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.

Saturday Classics – 28012023

Saturday Classics

This weeks choice is a classic to me at least, it was part of our wedding ceremony.

Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting. The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions.

Judy Collins’ first few albums consisted entirely of traditional tunes and contemporary folk songs. By 1966’s In My Life, she was branching out, bringing attention to songs written by The Beatles, Donovan and Leonard Cohen.With her 1967 album Wildflowers, Collins started laying down her own compositions. “Since You’ve Asked” was the first song she recorded that she wrote herself.

Judy Collins explained the story of the song to Mojo magazine.”When Leonard (Cohen) asked me why I didn’t write songs, I kind of didn’t have a clue. I didn’t know how you even started writing a song. So I called Bruce Langhorne, who played guitar and tambourine on Carolyn Hester records and Bob Dylan records and was living up in White Plains (north of the Bronx) and I said, ‘Can I come and see you?’ I had all these notebooks of depression and darkness and desperation, really random, nothing finished. I’d been writing my dreams down for years because I’d been in therapy already, three years I guess.He read my dreary little notebook and said, ‘OK, you’re going to go home and you’re going to write five songs about a relationship, the beginning, the middle and so on end-to-end.’ I said, ‘Oh good, that’s simple.’ ‘Since You’ve Asked’ was the first. It took me about 40 minutes.”

What I’ll give you since you asked is all my time together
Take the rugged sunny days, the warm and rocky weather
Take the roads that I have walked along
Looking for tomorrow’s time, peace of mind

As my life spills into yours changing with the hours
Filling up the world with time, turning time to flowers
I can show you all the songs
That I never sang to one man before

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.

Saturday Classics – 07012023

Saturday Classics

This weeks choice is a classic… if it makes you happy….

“If It Makes You Happy” is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, released as the lead single from her 1996 eponymous album in September 1996.

This song describes a person who seems depressed or upset no matter what happens. According to Crow, the inspiration for the song was her feelings after the massive success of her first album, as her record label and the media put pressure on her to follow it up.

Sheryl Crow (b. 1962) has won nine Grammys and sold more than 50 million albums, but success has not come easily. Crow has had to fight sexism in the music industry as well as her own depression and perfectionism, and she has had breast cancer. His private life has also been exposed in public, so this part of the lyrics make sence

You get down, real low down
You listen to Coltrane, derail your own train
Well, who hasn’t been there before?
I come ’round, around the hard way
Bring you comics in bed, scrape the mold off the bread
And serve you French toast again

If it makes you happy
It can’t be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?

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

Vacation time

Travel

I will be going on a vacation on Thursday for three weeks, will be enjoying new places, sun and experiencing new foods, hopefullymeeting new people. I will post photos taken with my camera when I get back, I am brave and I am leaving my laptop home. I might post something from my phone, most likely, but who knows.

I bought these tickets two years ago, but all thats been going on has postponed it. But now, so happy to have a break from the winter and the dark season, even if we have snow now. Our plan was to go in February but the fact that we had to postpone also changed the month. Hope the weather is pleasant anyways. last time it was a bit nippy 🙂 in January.

Looking forward to sunny beaches, warm sand under my feet.

Sightseeing is the other part and cooler weather is good for that as long as it doesn’t rain. It will be what it is, but we will be on vacation from the normal life rut. So looking forward to this. We rented a car so we can move from one place to an other, hotels are booked and research done for the places we are going to visit. We are ready.

Saturday Classics – 31122022

Saturday Classics

Wishing you all a great New Year!

Almost hits? Classic . Elvis Costello and the attractions , Everyday I write the book from 1983. This is one of his most beloved songs.

The song contains lyrics using writing as a metaphor for sustaining relationships;

Costello’s clever lyrics are the best, He describes himself as “a man with a mission in two or three editions,” then proceeds to summarize a tumultuous relationship

Chapter One we didn’t really get along
Chapter Two I think I fell in love with you
You said you’d stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three
But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six

Then he chronicles the highs and lows of their relationship:

The way you talk, and try to kiss me, and laugh
In four or five paragraphs
All your compliments and your cutting remarks
Are captured here in my quotation marks

he ends the song on a bitter but humorous note:

“With my pen and my electric typewriter / Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal / I’d still own the film rights and be working on the sequel.”

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

Happy New year !

Captures from Finland

I wish you all a very New year!

I will leave this year behind with some quotes I can relate to and someone has worded them better than I could.

Here are some winter scenery ro celebrate the holiday season.

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” —Paulo Coehlo

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” —Carl Bard

Decorations of the season

Photography, Still life

I have rested and eaten and only photographed with my mobile so this is a great challenge for me, even trying to post it with the phone

For https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/2022/12/25/cellpic-sunday-niagara-falls-up-close/

Saturday Classics – 24122022

Saturday Classics

Wishing you all a peaceful and safe Christmas, with lots of Joy and Love!

This is a classic; Bing Crosby, David Bowie – Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy

Peace on Earth can it be?
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of goodwill
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on Earth
Can it be

Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

November 2022 marks the 45th anniversary of the Bing Crosby & David Bowie’s duet “Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy” which premiered to a global audience in Bing’s 1977 Christmas special, “Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas”.

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

Winter Solstice

Captures from Finland, Cities

With the winter solstice, and these citylights I am now starting Christmas preparations and I take this opportunity to

I wish you and your loved ones a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

I want to thank you all who have taken the time to look at my photos, press like and I really appreciate all the encouraging comments I’ve gotten this year.

These I took yesterday when doing my last minute shopping. The cobblestone streets in Helsinki with the rain made it hard to get really great shots of the season lights in the city from a moving car, but I ended up with moody, artistic shots and with a little help from the editing they came out OK.

Beautiful in Black and White 14

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I took several winter wonderland photos last week, so I thought I’d try them as monochrome. Misty fields and snow-covered
roads with trees heavy with snow surrounding it. This is how they turned out.

It is nearly Christmas, and I hope that
these winter shots will help you to get into white Christmas spirit.

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Spruce trees by the side of the snowy road

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #230 – Last Chance

Captures from Finland, lens-artists, Photography

For this week’s challenge is hosted by Tina Schell from Travels and Trifles Lens-Artists Challenge #230 – Last Chance we’re show casing our forgotton or should I say our not yet published shots. Now, the challenge is remebering if I’ve posted them or not. I discover that I have not taken all that many photos this year… sad but true. It obviouly also depends how people defines much.

The image above is new from last week. winter can be beautiful

She wrote; But what about the images that are among our favorites but have not fit any of the categories? This year we’re giving you an opportunity to include images on any and all subjects that are personal favorites – BUT, they must have been created in 2022 AND must not have been previously published.

Here are my Last Chance photos, please link your post back to Tina’s original post and tag Lens-Artists if interested in participating in it.

Hailuoto was one of my favorite places to visit this summer, I posted several black and white images from that trip, here are some with colors. I love watching clouds and they played a big part in the photos I took there.

My summer house and the nature is a constant inspitation to me – below

Details from nature are often important things to photograph to me at least as they are found near and are beautiful,

I have taken still life shots that I have not posted lke these pearls

And I found this 🎅 Santa resting on a bench during summer…

Posted for Tina’s Lens-Artists Challenge

Minimalist winter scenery

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I have been away from my computer, and photos for a long weekend visiting my son and his family. So obviously I have missed a lot. Here are some more winter wonderland shots from last week

Wahat a calm view

Frosty trees at dusk

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

White trees

I stopped several times to capture the beauty of the moment of lovely winter views with snow covered trees and hovering mist

Snow covered lane

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

I am just going to put this here, as I went out today to take winter photos, I need to go through them. This is the first ones I am going to post. At this moment the sun was still shining. This Lane/ road looked so lovely I ad to stop to photograph it. Hope you enjoy it too.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 – Perfect Patterns

Flowers, lens-artists, Photography

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 we’re exploring – Perfect Patterns

Ann-Christine wrote, Of course there is no such thing as a ”perfect” pattern…but it could be perfect in Your eyes, perfect for camouflage or perfect for its purpose…or simply radiating ”perfect”! This week we challenge you to find perfect patterns and it would be great if you wanted to tell us why you think they are perfect.

Diagonals and patterns have lots in in common, I could easily use some of the same images from last week. Lets see what I can find in my archives. Patterns are everywhere, but in the purest form they can be found in nature. Nearly all things, big or small have them, if we look closely enough.

Well nature produces most wonderful patterns in flowers, spiderwebs, trees… you name it we can find it

Not to forget man made patterns, in building, textiles,

Our tableware is a place patterns are commonly found, as are the fabrics are made of.

The header photo has patterns, diagonals, and keeping with the season candles, frost and snow….

Ann-Christine from LEYA To See a World in a Grain of Sand… , host this weeks Challenge #229 – Perfect Patterns

Snowy nature

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

It looks lovely for sure, blueish skies and white snow, with a a subtle mist hovering over the landscape.That is it nothing elso to say about these photos.

Snow coverd birch trees by the road

A subtle mist hovers over the landscape on these two shots

Saturday Classics – 10122022

Saturday Classics

This is my first entry for this challenge, my aim is to keep up with listening to music. My first pick is, as is is December, and it is snowing and the weather is frightful…

This is a classic; Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! · Dean Martin

Dean Martin was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!“, the song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945. It was written in Hollywood, California. First recorded for RCA Victor in 1945 by Vaughn Monroe,

Despite the lyrics making no mention of any holiday, the song has come to be regarded as a Christmas song worldwide due to its winter theme, being played on radio stations during the Christmas and holiday season, and having often been covered by various artists on Christmas-themed albums.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”, also known as “Let It Snow”, is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. The song was written in July 1945 in Hollywood, California during one of the hottest days on record. First recorded by Vaughn Monroe, it became a popular hit, reaching number one on the Billboard music chart the following year. One of the best-selling songs of all time, “Let It Snow!” has been covered countless times by many artists. Due to its seasonal lyrics, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song. However, despite the song’s cheery, holiday feel, it is a love song that never mentions Christmas.
First recorded in 1945 by Vaughn Monroe, it became a popular hit, reaching number one on the Billboard music chart the following year.

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

Sunny winter day

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

The joy of sunshine, the past weeks we have not been blessed with lots of sunlight, but today, of the glorious weather with snow coved trees, blue sky.

I stepped out and took shots to all four directions from or house, and it looked lovely everywhere,white powder snow, blue sky and even the temperature was not that bad -7C ( 23 F ) I am going to post a shot also when its not shining and it looks OK, but there is a difference. On this happy note I wish everyone reading this post a lovely weekend!

at 10 AM View to our south facing backyard

10 AM looking North, this is the view from my office

10AM facing west looking at the spruce and birch trees on a upward hill

AND WHAT A DIFFERECE A DAY MAKES

Beautiful in Black and White 13

Black and White photos, Flowers

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

Roses, they look lovely in black and white

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Independence Day

Captures from Finland, Photography

Today we celebrate our Independence Day in snowy surroundings! Lanterns give beautiful light to the darkness on my patio

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228 – diagonals

lens-artists, Photography

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228, we’re exploring the power of diagonals.

We were invited to join this week to explore diagonals as a way to add visual interest and depth to our photos, as well as a sense of action. What diagonals can you find was asked?

Lets have a look at what I can find in a form of leading lines, I try to use them often to lead your way to something. Cityscapes are easy place to find them. They can lead your eye, frame the scene.

Did I find them, I had to stop lookng for them as I once again have an overload of them. Sorry…and as this is mainly a photography blog I will not go into details of the locations, I would not remember even if I tried. Diagonals you will find 🙂 Sit down and enjoy the scene’s as the header suggests.

On the top collage – Photos from Florida, California and Nevada

The second set is from Brisbane – Australia and the last one has bridges from Vancouver BC, first image, Brisbane AUS and the last one is from Sydney AUS