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.

Travel memories 21

animals, Photography, Travel, Traveling Sri Lanka

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

One of my memorable experiences was in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. We went whale watching and were so lucky to be able to see at two blue whales, the one below one was the best, very rare – this one swam underneath our boat. The captain told everyone to shut up when he spotted it or he would throw the one who spoke overboard. Only if you keep quiet the blue whale might approach you – you can’t chase them. We were lucky and this magnificent animal visited us.

Blue whale

People looking for whales (not our boat)

I love the sea, beaches, forests, mountains, countryside and lovely cities and the people in them. Colors; blue, green, red, white, yellows and what ever you can find around you. I love beauty and these photos remind me of beauty I have seen.

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Beautiful tree

Landscapes

I have posted photos of this beautiful old oak tree during summer, and autumn, maybe even spring. . I notice it everytime I drive past it. So here is the winter version.

Travel memories 20

Photography, Travel, Traveling Estonia

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Sometimes you do not need to go far to experience something nice. Old town in Tallinn, Estonia is a lovely place to visit.

Tallinn

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 19

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I was amazed by the history of this place – Pompeii, as a place full of treasures.

View of Temple of Jupiter and Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 18

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Oh, the beauty of it all. These streets, cafes and restaurants just embrace you.

Strolling the lanes and stairs of Positao

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Sunny and cold

Landscapes

After many cloudy and snowy day, we have a sunny afternoon. What a difference it makes on the scenery. It is a bit nippy -13C at the moment.

Travel memories 17

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I will spend few more posts on the Amalfi coast. We also visited the lovely village called Positano. We could not go to the church as there was a wedding, I just popped in very quickly. Notice the two older gentlemen with strong bodyguards 🙂 arriving to the special occasion.

Wedding is about to take place at Assumption Parish of Our Lady Positano

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Snowy yard

Landscapes

Our summer house is closed for winter, but we took some furniture there, just before the snow we are just getting. Our red sauna looks pretty surrounded by the fresh snow but, I am biased as it is a dear place for me.

Travel memories 16

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I will spend few more posts on the Amalfi coast. We also visited the lovely village called Positano. These are the views when approaching the pier.

Positano as seen from the sea

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

views from my windows

Landscapes

Today it is snowing – a lot. We also had some snow yesterday. Winter has arrived to the Southern Finland. I have some new photos from our backyard and from the window from my office at home. This a small reality check between the memory lane of travels. Many years we have escaped this time of the year to the warmer lands to find sun and more pleasant temperatures.

Today – Yesterday view from my bedroom window

Travel memories 15

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

A View from Villa Rufolo in Ravello, Amalfi Coast, unesco world heritage site, Campania, at Annunziata.

Hills and vineyards of Ravello

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 14

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Cathedral of Ravello, Amalfi Coast

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 13

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

A View from Villa Rufolo in Ravello, Amalfi Coast, unesco world heritage site, Campania, at Annunziata.

Villa Cimbrone

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 12

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

At Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, Italy.

Villa Cimbrone

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 11

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Shopping, stores, boutiques isn’t that one of the joys of travel ? At least window shopping

Wine break

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 10

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I was going to leave Capri, but I have to share more of the beauty I saw. I am in no hurry, the travel ban is not going to lift anytime soon. These small roads, ways, are shouting out – shoot me, that sounds bad, – take a photo, is more appropriate 🙂

Clouds over the mountain tops!

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 9

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I was going to leave Capri, but I have to share more of the beauty I saw. I am in no hurry, the travel ban is not going to lift anytime soon. The coastline of Amalfi coast as we approached the island was beautiful.

Clouds over the mountain tops!

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 8

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

I was going to leave Capri, but I have to share more of the beauty I saw. I am in no hurry, the travel ban is not going to lift anytime soon.

Boating on a warm sunny day at the coast of Capri, wouldn’t that be something…

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 7

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Visiting Villa San Michele in Capri , looking at the long pergola and the that garden begins in the shade of the wisteria of the pergola, culminates bathed in sunlight on the Sphinx terrace and finds its end along an elegant avenue of cypresses. Every season has its flowers and scents of camellias, tree peonies, hydrangeas, vines and orange blossom.

Sphinx
The sphinx at Villa San Michele is approximately 3200 years old. It comes from Egypt and is carved in red granite.

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 6

Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Housing in Amalfi town , these buildings are so picturesque.

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 5

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Visiting Villa San Michele in Capri , looking at Hermes

Where the sculpture loggia ends and the long pergola begins stands a bronze statue that somehow marks the transition between indoors and out of doors. It represents the messenger of the gods, Hermes, sitting at rest. The small wings on the sides of his feet are folded. The sculpture is a turn of the 19th century copy of an antique original which was excavated in Herculaneum and now stands in the Archaeological Museum in Naples. This work of art was a gift to Munthe from the City of Naples in recognition of his relief work during the cholera epidemic 1884-85. (text: villasanmichele.eu/collection)

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 4

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

What a view of an old building at Capri , I’m sure it also has a name, but I don’t know it 🙂

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 3

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

What a view from Capri at some rock, I’m sure it has a name, but I don’t know it 🙂

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 2

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.

Walking up from the pier to the Centre of Capri, this was one of the sights.

Welcome to my travels, some of them you might seen before…well, that’s life! Let’s go with the flow…

Travel memories 1

Photography, Travel, Traveling Italy

No travel in sight, so I am going to post photos of lovely places I have visited. I will keep it simple, lots of posts, less words is the theme in these posts.