this month the #WordPrompt is Bridge, here is my contribution to the word.
The Bahia Honda Rail Bridge is a derelict railroad bridge in the lower Florida Keys connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key.
Bridge
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.
High contrast
Texting and conversations
“Producing a photographic document involves preparation in excess. There is first the examination of the idea of the project. Then the visits to the scene, the casual conversations, and – talking, and listening, and looking, looking. … And finally, the pictures themselves, each one planned, talked, taken and examined in terms of the whole.”
52 Frames, Week 9: Reflections!
I did have an idea at to begin with to this challenge, yesterday I was given too many options. If you have read or seen any of my posts you will know, well, I have a dilemma . Drove to Helsinki to check out the beautiful city library, the whole square where it is located is full of reflection opportunities.
Light. That’s the medium photographers create their art with. We usually play with light and shadows but this week we’re going to try something often overlooked – Reflections. Boost your photo’s aesthetic by using reflections – add more depth and complexity with this aspect of photography and see the world in a whole new way.
The first shot is not from there but from my office window as I thought it came out rather nicely.
Be creative and think of using symmetry with mirrors or tangentially, go beyond the literal. Visualize your composition, be patient and don’t hesitate to try new stuff out to get a great shot.
Take time to observe your surroundings for cool opportunities out there or feel free to make your own indoors. Just ask yourself: “What is the light doing here ?”
Oodi is a striking building with its glass and steel structures and wooden façade, its design a combination of traditional and contemporary flavours. The energy-efficient library is an impressive calling card for Finnish architecture.
Below are reflections on the Music Hall in Helsinki
Green fruits of Maple
I am posting this for no other reason that I came across it when looking at my archives of photos. well I liked it.
Acer platanoides, Forest Maple it’s called in Finland or just maple, is a deciduous tree, growing to 20–30 m (65–100 ft) tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter, and a broad, rounded crown. The bark is grey-brown and shallowly grooved. Unlike many other maples, mature trees do not tend to develop a shaggy bark. The shoots are green at first, soon becoming pale brown.
circle of roses
“The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.”
– Paulo Coelho
Cable Factory
It has been a busy week at work, spring is arriving with speed as light time is about 40 min longer every week. It was such a joy to wake up today and the sun was already lighting the woods at the back of our house.
The situation in the world is unfortunately causing anxiety, as we share a long border with Russia. So much information, so many variables and really how much can you take in. I tend to work my daily thoughts in dreams and at the moment, it feels like I am combining what I watch on tv, even as light television shows about home fix shows, to war, and my daily life. So I can say lots of things are happening in my head.
So not to be too messed up, here are very structural photos 🙂 of buildings and interiors from Kaapelitehdas (cable factory) in Helsinki.
Lights and costumes
Yesterday, when visiting the Theater Museum in Helsinki. There was lights and actions as small visitors had fun with the props they had at display.
52 Frames, Week 8: Rule Of Thirds !
I had no idea to begin with to this challenge, but as we yesterday went to a museum tours, it kind a came to me. The new locations and the lights there and few moments captured my attention. I have 20 hours to choose what I am going to submit. Want to help me?
The first one I liked that the girl in the phot and the subject where both looking down. same but with to different compositions. These are from Pictorialism – the Dawn of Photographic Art
The Rule Of Thirds – one of the earliest photo composition techniques that an aspiring photographer comes across in their photo journey.
It’s simple, versatile, and effective in many situations.
It’s a classic for a reason – it works well and improves photographic composition immensely.
Simply put, place two vertical lines to divide the image into 3 equal columns and two horizontal lines so you also have 3 equally-sized horizontal rows so the entire scene is divided into 9 segments. (Think, tic-tac-toe grid.) Place points of interest in the scene where the lines meet to improve the overall look and feel of the image.
These are from the Theatre Museum.
A feeling of…
I am stressed and anxious. So I really got into playing with my images making them into rounded shape, Mandala’s. My thoughts are going around, I an surrounded by emotions that do around again and again. Me, trying to escape.
Fun, fun and fun
I am stressed and anxious. So I really got into playing with my images making them into rounded shape, Mandala’s. I tried the style with flowers, my art, people, city scape’s. Here are two from a bunch of tulips. Colorful, bright, and fun. Stress relief.
Flower Fun
Even nicer weather
What a difference a day makes added with sunshine, the snow covered trees look so nice.
I still haven’t ventured beyond my backyard to take photos, but I am happy to have this as my view.
Nice weather
it snowed yesterday, a lot! We got so much snow in our backyard, well in the front too 🙂 I took these first three this morning during the blue moment. The others a little bit later, you can see how it effected the colors.
52 Frames, Week 7: Unexplored!
I had to struggle with this, as the weather did not in anyway give any reason to want to go and explore. It was a really wet week, there was slush everywhere, angle deep in places. It has been raining or snowing most of the time, not my kind of weather.
The great unknown – it’s often a good idea to visit new places and experience new things. That’s why this week, we’re encouraging you to take shots of places hitherto Unexplored.
You can find new places and experiences wherever you are – in a bustling city or an idyllic rural setting and everything in between. Take a moment to think about what you want your image to portray – excitement, beauty, nostalgia or even something poignant. Since you’re likely going to be in a new place, do be patient with yourself and the surroundings.
Well, one place near by saved me, it was not totally unexplored as I have been there once before. It is only a little white lie..
Playtime
I have been watching these to dog friends play if not daily, then weekly. Looking at them from my office window. They are big, but still puppies and enjoying themselves playing in the snow. This time I decided I will take photos of them. Cute, aren’t they?
Teddy bears
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!
Orange car
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.
52 Frames, Week 5: Depth Of Field -3
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.
52 Frames, Week 5: Depth Of Field -2
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.
Snow, snow and snow
52 Frames, Week 5: Depth Of Field
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.
Rose
flower of the day
Contrasting colors and flowers – one more shot. Slight editing difference in the feature shot and one in the post itself.
For no reason other than
it’s pretty?
I haven’t taken any photos lately, so how about just a lovely photo of a flower to brighten the day.
52 Frames, Week 5: Black And White!
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.
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.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 