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.

Colors #5

Flowers

PINK! The color of love and compassion. Pink is kind and comforting, full of sympathy and compassion, and makes us feel accepted. Its friendly, playful spirit calms and nurtures us, bringing joy and warmth into our lives. Pink is also a feminine and intuitive color that is bursting with pure romance.

Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude

Leading with passion, kindness, and understanding, the color pink embodies all that is good in the world. Pink seeks to make others feel accepted by offering an unmatched level of sympathy. As an exceedingly approachable color, pink doesn’t intimidate or threaten. Instead, it offers the opposite effect. Those who encounter this euphoric shade are often overcome with unbridled joy.

Simply put, the color red can’t be described in a word or two. It embodies so many wonderful Oozing with positivity, the color pink provides warmth and comfort. When we see the color pink, it inspires us to cling to hope. There’s no obstacle too big for pink to overcome. With its steadfast optimism, pink is perpetually upbeat. In addition to boosting morale, pink also offers signs of good fortune. If you see the color pink often, it could mean that success and good health await you.

Colors #4

Flowers

RED! The color of passion and energy. Red draws attention like no other color and radiates a strong and powerful energy that motivates us to take action. It is also linked to sexuality and stimulates deep and intimate passion. Red is ubiquitously used to warn and signal caution and danger.

“Red is the archetypal color, the first color humans mastered, fabricated, reproduced, and broke down into different shades, first in painting and later in dyeing. This has given it primacy over all other colors through the millennia.” – Michel Pastoureau

A striking, bold, and captivating hue, red is perhaps the most dominant of colors. Often seen while navigating the roads, red lets us know when caution is warranted. Though seeing the color red may give us pause, it also provides tremendous warmth. When this scarlet shade rears its cherry head, we can’t help but feel protected. In essence, the color red serves to safeguard us against harm.

Simply put, the color red can’t be described in a word or two. It embodies so many wonderful qualities, including love, kindness, and familiarity. On the other hand, it can resurrect feelings of despair and melancholy. In between its positive and negative traits lies cultural interpretations, subliminal messaging, and warning indicators.

Colors #3

Flowers

ORANGE! The color of enthusiasm and emotion. Orange exudes warmth and joy and is considered a fun color that provides emotional strength. It is optimistic and uplifting, adds spontaneity and positivity to life and it encourages social communication and creativity. It is a youthful and energetic color.

“Orange is the color of the sun. It is vital and a good color generally, indicating thoughtfulness and consideration of others.” – Edgar Cayce

“The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.” – Ram Charan

Colors #2

Flowers

Yellow! The color of happiness and optimism. Yellow is a cheerful and energetic color that brings fun and joy to the world. It makes learning easier as it affects the logical part of the brain, stimulating mentality and perception. It inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence.

“It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression.” – Johann Wolfgang Goethe

In the world of safe hues, like black, red and white, yellow shouts: “Look at me. I’m happy!”

Portrait in Monochrome

Black and White photos, People, Photography

Colors #1

Flowers

Green! Where do you look to find the meaning of green? Is it in the pale yellow-green of newly sprouted blade of grass? Can it be found in the dazzling sparkle of an emerald? Or does green’s meaning reside in the aromatic depth of a drizzly pine forest? Green inspires and vitalizes us in all its hues.

Green is calming, stress-relieving, and–a bit paradoxically–invigorating.
The color meaning of green is vitality, freshness, growth, wealth, balance, health, & youthfulness.

Green is everywhere. It’s the most common color in the natural world, and it’s second only to blue as the most common favorite color

Colors

Flowers

I am taking the easy way out from dilemma, going with color theme, mostly. Most likely the photos will be of flowers, but I might surprise you and myself, who knows what colorful things I will find to photograph.

“Color in a picture is like enthusiasm in life.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” – Oscar Wilde

Color is, on the evidence of language alone, very bound up with the feelings.

Something I noticed #28

Captures from Finland, Photography

Something I noticed is that I was not able to do all thirty-one posts of Something I noticed. I truly tried. SO this is my last post on this theme. I saw this decoration on a gate

I think I am going to go floral next month? Flowers to celebrate the colors of the season? Or should I call it color of the day…I may repeat the the color many times, who knows. This all is still under consideration.

Something I noticed #27

Captures from Finland, Interiors, Photography

Something I noticed, the beautiful light coming in, the white curtains and tablecloth. the window view is not the most spectacular one, but many times that is the case.

Still, I hope you are enjoying it anyway.

White tablecloth is not trending at the moment 🙂

Simplicity is the theme in this one, I think.

Something I noticed #26

Captures from Finland, Interiors, Photography

Something I noticed, the beautiful light coming in, the white curtain, and green walls to match the colors on the other side of the window, hope you are enjoying the same sight now.

I also did a black and white version as the contrast and light kind of demanded me to do so, you know what I mean. 🙂 This time the color one appeals to me more.