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.
I was going to post a Valentines day greeting with bears, but I forgot to upload the photos from the camera. These are rather cute, just because teddies are. Since I took the photos, I might as well post them. Today too can be a friendship day, as every day is. To all my Blog friends, have a great day!
Out of nowhere, I suddenly found this photo on my phone of an orange car in front of an orange canopy, I have taken this in Miami few years back, I don’t remember posting it. A it is a square I must have posted in Instagram. I wish I had taken some time to edit. it.
Today we went out and took a quick walk at the mall as I needed some Yupo paper and we stopped to have a some milkshake at Kittys and I thought this might be a opportunity for a Depth Of Field shot – a super important concept in photography that often separates those photos that look “amateur” from those that look “professional” or as I like to call it, “profesh”.
Retro décor and pastel colors, this might work. Four slightly different versions.
It has snowed a lot lately, today there was a moment of sunshine and went out with an intention to capture Depth Of Field – a super important concept in photography that often separates those photos that look “amateur” from those that look “professional” or as I like to call it, “profesh”.
In my previous post I had taken some shots outside, here are few I took inside still life. Once again I was sloppy, I forgot to dust the table prior the shots, well, so it goes.
Here are some of them, give me once again your valuable input as I try to improve my photo skills.
It has snowed a lot lately, today there was a moment of sunshine and went out with an intention to capture Depth Of Field – a super important concept in photography that often separates those photos that look “amateur” from those that look “professional” or as I like to call it, “profesh”.
I also took some inside – still life shot, but that is an other post.
Here are some of them, give me once again your valuable input as I try to improve my photo skills.
Why does black and white photography so often grab our attention more? It’s because we have the ability to create STRONGER elements in our frame, by taking away much of the distraction that often comes with color. It’s simply less “things” for our brains to take in. But more than that, black and white will accentuate just that, so you can create more contrast and light/shadow play within your frame to tell a powerful story.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
They evoke stronger emotions by paying greater attention to shadows, contrast and texture – three photographic elements that push good b/w images to become great ones.
Here a photos I am considering as one of my shots for BW entry. What I am trying to bring to focus in these shots are natural, age positive, emotion. My husband is a good sport as he is always ready to pose.
Any suggestions, idea, what do you think, can you find the elements of a good black and white shot in these.
I love taking photos, I have been am a self learned photographer, even if I say so myself, I have a good eye. I see beauty all around me.
I take photos of everything that catches my eye, be it a tiny detail of a plant, beautiful view or urban surroundings.
Want a Portrait?
I love taking photos of people from babies to the more mature with the life showing in their appearance and face and everything in the between. Trying to the capture the essence of that person and find the individual beauty in everyone.
If you like the way I capture people, I would love to come and take photos of you or your loved ones. I always use natural light and like to take photos in locations where they are comfortable.
I have added Portfolio of Portraits so you can see my style.
Olen ollut itseoppinut valokuvaaja, vaikka itse sanonkin, minulla on hyvä silmä. Kauneutta on joka puolella kun oikein tarkkaan katsoo.
Otan kuvia kaikesta mikä osuu silmään, olipa kyseessä sitten kukan yksityiskohta, kaunis maisema tai urbaani kaupunkiympäristö.
Tykkään ottaa kuvia ihmisistä vauvoista vaariin. Käytän aina luonnonvaloa ja pidän valokuvaamisesta paikoissa, joissa kuvattava tuntee olonsa mukavaksi, kuvata heidät heille tärkeässä ympäristössä
Yritän vangita kuvattavana olevan henkilön olemuksen ja löytää jokaisessa heidän yksilöllisen kauneuden. Otan ylioppilaskuvia, rippikuvia tai vaikka jos omaksi iloksi haluat kuvan ilman sen kummallisempaa syytä Jos pidät tavasta, jolla kuvaan ihmisiä, tulen mielelläni ottamaan kuvia sinusta tai läheisistäsi
Oheisesta linkistä näet ottamiani Portfolio of Portraits
If you are interested in my photos or wish to book a photo session for a portrait please contact me by the form below and I will get back to you to discuss more.
As I was taking minimalist photos, I took these of some costume jewelry, I don’t know if these really are minimalist, but I like them enough to post them.
At first I will take you to the Oregon coast line, unfortunately I do not recall what beach or location other than coastline, at the time I did not write them down, for me it is enough that they are beautiful locations and loved the views. These are from 2013, might not look the same anymore
This is the second last post from this location, but it was such a great spot so obviously I have tons of photos. You can see the Heceta Head Lighthousee in these
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Heceta Head Lighthouse from further away
I would love to travel see new beautiful places, but I cannot due to the pandemic, so I am on a memory lane trip to some of places I have been. Hope you will join me on the scenic tour of lovely places.
Still working with what I could find at home. Minimalist as a topic was great as I am still on sick leave due to Covid. I have been home since January 3rd. I can tell you the walls are beginning to fall on me. Still so tired, I have about 4 hours of OK feeling then I am back on the sofa watching tv.
I have to pick one of these to share, do you have any opinions to help me with which one I should choose to be my minimalist pick. All opinions are welcome.
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Still working with what I could find at home. Luckily I have a large collection of different colored scarves so I could find a suitable background color for the challenge. The yellow fake flower acted as a contrast.
Very Peri and yellow – Complementary Colors!
Challenge received and done. I had another picture too, but after consideration, I ended up with this clearer and more minimalist version with the extra challenge
Three weeks I have been home and the cough continues, I am so tired of this. I have been watching the weather change from really to cold to the plus with grey skies and melting snow. Yesterday it snowed again and I went to the patio to capture it with my backyard view as a backdrop.
Snowing
In spite of been stuck at home I decided to participate to a challenge 52 frames. One photo a week on a certain topic. The first one was my BW selfie I took just at the beginning of my omikron journey, the second of my frosty tree. I am working on the third.
close up of a pine tree on snow
These shots have nothing to do with the challenge, obviously, other than that the scene is the same as in my previous shot, my backyard view. I took some more artistic liberties with the featured image at the top, does it work, or not?
We had beautiful days here the past week and I was not able to go out and capture the beauty, too sick and too tired. I have been in the house from January 3rd, first in quarantine for 3 days, then sick. The instructions what and when to do change constantly, it is confusing, but you figure it out on the way.
Well I did go outside to my backyard to capture so of the winter beauty, I am so happy that we have private and pretty view to rest our eyes on. That pine tree looks so lovely on the hill covered with snow.
At first I will take you to the Oregon coast line, unfortunately I do not recall what beach or location other than coastline, at the time I did not write them down, for me it is enough that they are beautiful locations and loved the views. These are from 2013, might not look the same anymore
This is the second last post from this location, but it was such a great spot so obviously I have tons of photos. You can see the Cape Arago Lighthouse in these
This is the second last post from this location, but it was such a great spot so obviously I have tons of photos. this is the
Driftwood
I would love to travel see new beautiful places, but I cannot due to the pandemic, so I am on a memory lane trip to some of places I have been. Hope you will join me on the scenic tour of lovely places.
At first I will take you to the Oregon coast line, unfortunately I do not recall what beach or location other than coastline, at the time I did not write them down, for me it is enough that they are beautiful locations and loved the views. These are from 2013, might not look the same anymore
Beach
I would love to travel see new beautiful places, but I cannot due to the pandemic, so I am on a memory lane trip to some of places I have been. Hope you will join me on the scenic tour of lovely places.
I am sitting at my desk watching the snow fall and dreaming of sunshine and warm weather.
So, I was going through my archives, again, for photos that I haven’t really edited. So I edited them. I have lot’s of photos that I have not taken that need a closer look. Some need to have the horizon straightened, maybe add little contrast and light. So I have done that. Touch here and there.
Oregon coast
I am so restless, I would love to travel see new beautiful places, but I cannot due to the pandemic, so I am on a memory lane trip to some of places I have been. Hope you will join me on the scenic tour of lovely places.
Rocks at the beach
At first I will take you to the Oregon coast line, unfortunately I do not recall what beach or location other than coastline, at the time I did not write them down, for me it is enough that they are beautiful locations and loved the views. These are as far as 2013. we were visiting my sister in Canada, she lived near the US boarder so we decided to take a trip to see Seattle and Oregon while we were so close.
New year is here, one moment of time is once again come and gone. New beginning or continuing of the same. For me the latter I think, not that much is going to change, not directly at least.
Looking into the future ?
I have three boys, all grown up, but my boys. They have lived near me most of the time. Now that is about to change.
One is moving about 600 kilometers away, so are my grandkids that have been living 200 meters from us are moving also, big change. They are not going to pop up for some cookies anymore. The chance to see them grow is changing. Time will tell how it going to workout.
One is going on this travels again, when he is coming back, if he is coming back is in the unknown category. He is drawn to South America, Asia direction. He is starting in Peru and then he goes where the mood takes him.
One is staying put, at least for the time being and if he moves it will be with on half a hours drive.
My boys
Changes, but not directly to me, but to the near and dear ones. I will for a time been continue to work for the county as housing counselor, helping people to find homes, stay in their homes and trying to sort out the financial problems they might be facing regarding their housing issues. I have been doing this for the past months, a new direction to me as I have always worked in the private sector in various office jobs.
Looking for a photo of us together was like looking for a needle in a haystack. There is literally none.
I do not often say much about myself in this blog, I post photos of the world I see and how I see it. Hoping that they tell the story. Like macro shots, well I am home, nothing much to do I will capture things near me. Summer photos, mostly from my summer home and the travels, not that many in the recent years. As I said, capturing what I see in the world surrounding me. I will continue doing the same thing. My life is not all that interesting, I do art, take photos and am happily married and occasionally see friends. Simple but happy life. Most of the time anyways!