Here is a bit of my abstract shots, can you guess what I have been photographing? What do you think, too much?
Abstract
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.
Tiny forest finds
Weekend came and went so quickly, Saturday as cool so I spent most of the day in side by the fireplace with a magazine or watching tv. I was so brave that I left my laptop home 🙂
Saturday was warmer, the most significant change was that we had less wind. I walked on our plot, looking for something to take photos of as the green nature is still keeping us waiting. But it can be found in the details. Here are my small finds.
Evergreen
We are of to celebrate May 1st to our summer house. It is supposed to be sunny, but cold, well colder than usual at this time of the year. At least it won’t be raining. Wishing all a great weekend and the the beginning of May…
I love moss, it is so pretty, green and soft.
Good signs
Today I am getting my first covid shot, they are being done like clockwork, the times were 5 minutes apart and then you stay there for 15 minutes so it can be monitored if you get some compilations.
My husband had his a week ago, only thing he experienced was a slightly sore arm. All good.
Good news all around. I got an interview for a HR job for monday – it would last 6 months. My oldest son got a new job yesterday with a nice raise. Middle on got a new job today and starts on Monday. Now I hope that the restaurants will be able to open soon so my youngest boy would also be able to return to work. So lots of positives fibes going on at the moment.
It has been cold, it still is but I did spot some spring flowers. Here they are for your joy too.
Vintage Rose
If you had not already guessed this was a theme in my FB photography group in April. Topic was Vintage rose, here are some of my efforts to capture the theme.
Complaining
Yesterday I had a appointment with a neurologist. I felt rather frustrated after it, doctors and their manners, how they talk to patients. He was not rude, but he did not come across as sincere, compassionate person or as he cared about me and my ailments. He seemed very blaséd.
It felt so good to tell your symptoms to a person who seems not to really care. Not. I think one of the most helpful things to do would be is add training to the doctors on bedside manners and basic listening skills. A doctor might be skilled very knowledgeable, but to get the most information from your patient you need to show interest and care – maybe have some follow up questions. I don’t know. I did not feel all that good after that visit. Nothing had changed from year ago, I did not learn anything new, get explanations…
He sent me to have couple blood tests, I was lucky I got in even if I did not have a appointment in 25 minutes. The lab technician seemed unsure about my test, even went to check if it was the right tube, apparently it was not frequently done test in this hospital. Happy that it was done I drove home only to receive a phone call from the lab that the lab technician has not taken all the tests. Well, mistakes happen so I need to go back today to have the rest.
On Thursday I am going to have my first Covid jab… that is good news.
Now I am trying to figure what photo to add, as I did not take any at the hospital. I cannot have a post without a photo. You know, Ritva Sillanmäki Photography being the title 🙂 So these have no relevance to my text. Swans just happen to be beautiful, graceful birds.
Once again thanks for reading this far about my today’s grievance.
Office
Small joy is this too, my office has a new paint and I placed the furniture differently and my space looks different which’s nice. Veikka has moved in with me, taken over the armchair I got for myself. I am rather pleased with the result. The only thing new is the paint and the new area rug. There he lays sleeping and snoring while I write this post. I notice the photos ain’t that great as I just quickly took them with my mobile. I am just lazy.
Small joys
the weather has sent us backwards, the lovely spring days are gone and we are back to less nice temperatures and cloudy skies with rain, slush and winds. Still the early spring flowers pop up and bring color and joy to the brown tones of spring.
This was good in away, my husband painted my office and I arranged the furniture slightly differently. Looks nice and clean. Now I have to figure what to hang on the wall and where? I don’t’ have a clear vision as yet. One thing has come with growing older, I do not need to have everything ready right away as I did when younger.
Up on the hill
Back home, enjoying the view of the pine trees from my backyard, they look nice in the early evening light
Kumian mylly
Kumian mills are located on the shore of Lake Salajärvi, the place where the landing river splits the narrow isthmus between the lake Salajärvi and lake Isokukkanen. The older, log mill building of the rubber mill dates from the 1890s and the tall wheat mill building from the 1930s.
I stopped to see how the mill has changed. It looks a bit different now than last year.
Kumiankoski is being restored to its natural state. Removing unnecessary dams is one of the easiest ways to protect and restore biodiversity.
The aim is to create a breeding ground and a hiking trail for endangered trout, among other things.
“The goal is an inherently rapids that allow fish to migrate. Planting of trout fry will begin immediately in the spring after rehabilitation. ”
At the same time, the length of Kumiankoski doubles from about 50 meters to one hundred meters.
High waters
We have had a long weekend at the summer house, five days of sunshine and joys of spring. Rest for the arm and also to the mind. I can tell you, that I have been outside most of the time. Joy of the new season! I had my son with his family with us there so it was very lively as small boys and big boys enjoyed the barbecue and soccer and walks in the nature. Laugh, screams, fights, all emotions were to be seen and heard.
Here are few shots from this visit. Nature is not at its best at the moment, but the beginning of nature’s bloom to the beauty of spring can be sensed in the singing of the birds, the open waters and the croaks or is the work ribbiting of frogs. The water in the lakes and rivers is very high
Good night
First evening at our summer house, here I am sitting by the fire, now I can see the last moments of the sunset. This photo I took hour ago.
April morning
Again the blackbirds sings; the streams / Wake, laughing, from their winter dreams, / And tremble in the April showers
Snowy mountain
I was not going to post this, but it just by mistake double click uploaded to my media file and I thought, why not. I loved looked at these snow covered mountains during my stay in Vancouver area.
I took this few years back when I visited my sister in Fort Langley, B.C. my nephew took me on trip to Vancouver island, I took this photo of Mount Baker on the ferry on our way back to Vancouver. The snow covered mountains look so lovely with the clouds hanging over the top.
Sunset
Not for any other reason than, I like this shot. Cows in the field with sunset behind them.
Lighthouse
We all need a lighthouse in our lives to lead us, whatever it is, a person, place or state of mind. This came to my mind as I saw all the news about mourning people for Prince Philip. I myself am not one to mourn for people I do not know.
I sympathise, with the person who has lost a loved one, but for me to get really emotional about some celebrity or public persons passing is unlikely to happen. That is just me.
Snowdrops
My first flowers in my garden / backyard have bloomed. These are the only photos I have taken in many days. I have tried to stay of the computer and camera… will just post these and continue to rest my arm. There was few days between the shots with snow around the flowers and when it had melted.
A Photo a Week Challenge: That Face!
It has been a while since I participated in a challenge, this one is one a Photo a week challenge theme That Face!
Taking it easy
I have tried my best to stay away from the computer these past days. I think I have done pretty well, but just to keep the momentum going here I am again.
Easter came and went, mainly at home. We saw our sons and grandkids. I tried couple new recipes. I am getting rather good at picking them and always slightly altering them. As all the restaurants are only doing take-away food, me trying new things gives our menus some variation. Teriyaki salmon and chicken lasagne tasted so good. I am rather proud of myself as I am not into cooking all that much – I mainly make good tasty homemade food, I have not been a recipe reader, I’ve stuck what I know. That is not to say my food isn’t tasty. It is 😀 LOL. Desperate times has made me an explorer. Making it easy for myself I am posting an old photo of a chicken meal we had.
I also have been working on an art project. I have been asked to do a Triptych to be placed in a master bedroom – not a church as first comes to mind when you hear that term. A trio of contemporary art, that I do. So all three pieces are different but go well together. It is always harder to do something specific to someone’s taste and colors. Even if the origin is one of my original art.
Clean and tidy
One day spent cleaning and tidying the summer house. First floor is now ready for the next visit.
Pastel blues
April Ist, I should be pulling some prank, but I won’t bother, I will just post few more pastel blue, misty photos. The mist was so thick, that you can touch in in these. These are photos from two years back that I looked at again and well was rather happy about and I just wanted to share them. This is the road that leads us to our summer house, it is well documented in all 26 seasons we have travelled it.
Veikka being a white cat is easy to spot in all other seasons but winter, but then again we don’t let him out at home during winter, only at our summer house as there is not so much traffic and a whole lot less neighbours. Tinka on the other hand being small and a brown cat can disappear so easily into the nature, but then again Tinka is not so brave and stays near the house and our own land.
Just because
Just because they are so cute and cuddly. Veikka and Tinka are taking a nap 😴
Pastel landscapes
The nature brings out beautiful colors to fill all our senses, even the bare nature looks lovely in these colors. Mist always adds a magic touch to any photo, then again that is my opinion.
Misty blues
March has gone past so quickly, April is here soon. Easter. I have to mention is, because usually for many years now, we have started our summer house season then. Many times in the recent years easter has been in the middle or end of April, and that has helped regarding the weather. It has looked something like in the pictures here at that time. At the moment there is so much snow there that we won’t be able to drive to our house. So most likely we will just drive there, walk to the house and put the electricity on to warm up the house for our next visit.
In a way it is good as my right arm, shoulder is so so sore that I have trouble doing anything, even using the mouse is a strain. I ordered a roller mouse, it will help with the pain as all the movement is in the middle where the keyboard is. I have done my best to try to stay away from the computer.
56 – Dreams *
Please have a look at my latest collaboration with Frank from Beach Walk Reflections . His text beautifully highlighted my art that I post at ART BY RITVA.
Special thanks to Ritva for providing images of her art. Ritva is in Finland and I encourage readers to visit her photo blog Ritva Sillanmaki …
56 – Dreams *
Listening to spring
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I went for a walk, watched and listened to spring. Melting snow, running water. Blue sky and the slight breeze.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 