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.

Misty

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

One word, lazy, would cover how I’ve felt lately.

Maybe it is the darkness that is beginning to surround us. Getting up in the morning is getting harder, all the usual thins that comes with this time of the year, you know what I am talking about, November.

Naked trees, misty lake

I feel misty, head in the mist no great vision to follow. The other day the weather was very suitable for my mood. Misty days, they always appeal to me, no matter what the season is, winter, summer or fall.

No more chatter, here are the pics I took as I stopped by the lake to capture my mood.

Autumn path

Captures from Finland, Landscapes
Autumn colors has taken over this path

I used to drive past this side road, path weekly, when participating in art classes nearby. I enjoyed watching the seasons changing the colors on this private road. I took a drive purposely to check how it looks with autumn colors taking hold of the nature. I was not disappointed. Depending on the zoom length the colors leaned more to yellows or greens.

The autumn leaves

Captures from Finland, Nature

I Haven’t been out of the house so my seasonal photos are from my previous drive.

Feeling much better 🙂 Once again, I now remember how it feels to have the flu, I have to say, I have not missed this feeling. I have had so many cups of tea and cough drops in the past week.

Autumn in the city

Cities, Landscapes, Photography

I took my husband to the doctor and during his visit I took some autumn color shots from the city. The flu season has started after being almost nonexistent during Covid, my husband had it and now I am sick first time in three years. I had forgotten how it feels. Not nice.

Well anyway, I am giving you an overload of fall photos, bear with me, soon it will be dark and gloomy.

Cabin in woods

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I think the topic says it all. Well, I could mention the obvious, surrounded by beautiful fall colors That’s all folks!

Monochrome rocks

Black and White photos

The idea to make nature shots interesting in monochrome is a challenge as the colors many times are the thing that makes them pop, standout. In my mind, the idea of monochrome landscape is a the play of light and shadow – contrast.

Here are some attempts to to transfer beautiful seascapes and rocks into something interesting maybe or even moody 🙂 without the color.

Most of the photos are from California, only the last two are from Thailand

Krabi – Thailand

Sunny Sunday 3

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I have had luck with sunny Sundays, two in a row. I went for a drive searching to find Ruska ( one word in finish language to describe the process of nature turning to the beautiful colors of autumn)

Here few more photos from that day.

I found some lovely spots. I will share some now and some other posts as usual I have lots of shots and I like to share 🙂 Hope you like them.

This colorful time passes so quickly as the leaves fall and sooner than we want to be, we are already surviving November. I have several years been doing that here on my blog with fellow bloggers.

Sunny Sunday 2

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I have had luck with sunny Sundays, two in a row. I went for a drive searching to find Ruska ( one word in finish language to describe the process of nature turning to the beautiful colors of autumn)

I found some lovely spots. I will share some now and some other posts as usual I have lots of shots and I like to share 🙂 Hope you like them.

This colorful time passes so quickly as the leaves fall and sooner than we want to be, we are already surviving November. I have several years been doing that here on my blog with fellow bloggers.

Welcome October

Captures from Finland, Flowers, Photography

Time flies and older you get, the quicker it goes in my growing experience. Just now it was September and well month has passed. The days are getting shorter, darkness is slowly beginning to unfold around us ( is that correct way to say it? ) Well anyways, these are the colors of early October at my backyard.

Random shots of September 6

Captures from Finland, Nature

No words, no explanations. Just random shots of September.

Medusa

Sunny Sunday

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

We have had rather gray and rainy September, the forecast was predicting that to this weekend also so we decided to stay at home. But no, rather we had a nice weather, Sunday particularly was lovely.

These are my sunny Sunday shots.

Clouds

Captures from Finland, Nature

Sunny day clouds or dark clouds in the sky this sight makes me want stop and take a photo.

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Random shots of September 5

Captures from Finland, Cities

No words, no explanations. Just random shots of September.

Karan hallit / industrial area in Kera

Overload of garlic

Photography, Still life

In my FB photography group the topic was garlic, but I added some onions as well. Boy, did I take too many shots of garlic, then I played with them in Lightroom. So, sorry I am going to overload you with photos of garlic.

I took them, might as well share them. Enjoy them, or not. Totally your choice, but if you have a favorite let me know. I will number them 🙂 I might take this as a learning opportunity as well 🙂

Number 1

“You can never have enough garlic. With enough garlic, you can eat The New York Times.” ~ Morley Safer

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  • Number 8
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“Garlic is divine. Few food items can taste so many distinct ways, handled correctly. Misuse of garlic is a crime…Please, treat your garlic with respect…Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screwtop jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don’t deserve to eat garlic.” ~ Anthony Bourdain

Number 12
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Did you make it this far, just curious 😀 ?

Colors #7

Flowers

The color of calmness and clarity. Turquoise stabilizes emotions and increases empathy and compassion. It emits a cool calming peace, gives us a boost of positive mental energy that improves concentration and clarifies our mind, and creates a balance that clears the path to spiritual growth.

Sea

“A turquoise given by a loving hand carries with it happiness and good fortune.”

 Comprised of green, blue, and yellow tones, turquoise is a striking combination of these color wheel beauties. Never one to boast, turquoise is radiant without knowing it. With its humility and shifting charm, there’s much to love about this greenish-blue shade..


pink shoes

Aqua is closer to green than blue. It is refreshing, uplifting, creative and cheerful, while at the same time being strong and independent.

Aquamarine strengthens creativity and inspiration. It soothes and balances the mind and the emotions.

Blue-green (or teal) is an advanced turquoise shade that symbolizes credibility and reliability. It is known to promote engagement and spiritual development.

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After the rain

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

Foggy skies greeted us first thing in the morning, I took my time before I went outside to take some photos. I had my furry little friend following me. These I took with my mobile, and little bit later I took the camera for a walk.

Towards the rain

Photography

We took an early start to the weekend. We left nice weather behind and headed towards the rain, summer house. We could see the clouds turning dark grey over the highway.

And it rained when we got there and continued to do so all night. Luckily we were nice and warm inside with the fireplace giving us warmth and nice atmosphere

Random shots of September 1

Captures from Finland

No words, no explanations. Just random shots of September.

Colors #6

Flowers

The color of trust and loyalty. Blue has a calming and relaxing effect on our psyche, that gives us peace and makes us feel confident and secure. It dislikes confrontation and too much attention, but it is an honest, reliable and responsible color and you can always count on its support.

Blue clouds

“How sweet to be a cloud. Floating in the blue!” – A. A. Milne

Blue inspires us to live in the present and bid farewell to our stress. By creating an air of serenity, it does just that. On a particularly challenging day, consider looking up at the sky. You’ll find an oasis of calm gazing up at the clouds.

Pink sky

“Everyone can enjoy the blue sky. The world is fair.” – Jukô Nishimura

pink shoes

Where calmness is present, so too is the color blue. In addition to its peacefulness, blue also offers direction and empathy. Though these attributes are promising, blue is also fragile and somewhat cowardly. These varying qualities make blue the perfectly balanced shade that so many love, trust, and adore.

Blue car