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.
This family was so much joy to watch … I am not much of a bird photographer, but these on my level of skill came out ok as they were quite a distance away. Adrian from FATman photos kindly informed me what species this bird is, I had it as great crested grebe, but no, it is a goosander . Once again, I learned something new. Thanks Adrian 🙂
I was sitting down at the dock when I took these photos of this boy walking towards me. I liked the look that I captured and I tried to enhance the cinematic feel that I got from the image. Looks a bit like an Old italian film when in Monochrome. No? Yes?
we have had beautiful summer days, and that is something I have tries to capture these photos. The water was so cold as the rapid flows into the lake at Vuolenkoski, Finland.How the kids were able to be in it is beyond me… 🙂 This first set of photos are from there, the other one below are from Ruuhijärvi were the water was a whole lot warmer 🙂 as you can see from the expressions and body language.
I spent last weekend practicing, learning to do monotype. Janet from THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER THING wanted to know a bit about the technique, so here is some explanation about it.
It is hard, nothing turns out the way you think, you have to be really careful about colors how you lay them on top of each other as they mix in the printing process. white is not recommended, and I leaned why as is blurs the colors. if you wish to have white you scrape it off with various plastic or soft tools so you so not scratch the metal plate or use turpentine.
I was not really happy with any of the prints I got. I will try to silence myself critique and show some of my attempts. sorry about the photos, I just took them quickly with my mobile.
Abstract ( my husband likes this one)
Monotype, , a technique that generally yields only one good impression from each prepared plate. Monotypes are prized because of their unique textural qualities. They are made by drawing on glass or a plate of smooth metal or stone with a greasy substance such as printer’s ink or oil paint. You can use a brush or more often a roller (cylindrical tool for applyingpaint or ink.)you can see them in the pictures below.
After the artwork you wet the paper for, it has its own kind paper, of course, several minutes. Then you dry the excess off by placing it between newspapers. This is an art form of its self you cannot have too wet paper or you too much paint or it spreads/leaks of the sides of the art work.
The instructor/ teacher likes this one.
You set the metal plate on the press printer , add the wet, paper on top. Next step is to add several layers of felt on top of the plate. However, the tradition of imprinting conveyed in the literature in the field is unambiguous here. When printed, the press has several blankets of different thicknesses and qualities. the basic practice is to stack the blankets so that the densest thin 1/16 remains lowest against the tile and the more porous come on top of 1/8 and 1/4. Combinations vary slightly depending on different techniques and printing papers.
You press it once or twice depending how much color you want to get on the paper.
Well, what can I say, I have been adjusting to new and haven’t posted anything, not as if I have been busy in the evenings. Just after spending all day inside, I have decided to spend the evenings outside enjoying our summer, which is short. We are living the lightest days at the moment, it is so nice.
I have lots to say about this job I am in at the moment, or more on the subject of onboarding to it, but I don’t want to be riled up about it as I am on my way to learn mototypia again. Need to be inspired and positive so to get into the flow of inspiration.
Love the green this time of the year… I took these photos of he white clover last weekend while laying in the hammock 🙂 and it looks surprisingly nice also in monochrome 🙂 Have a great weekend.
We have tried to go home for hours but with no luck, Tinka won’t come in as she senses that we are leaving. So we took a drive to the store and saw this bright rainbow on our way back.
End of the rainbow 🌈
Then we started to watch the world ice hockey final Finland 🇫🇮- Canada 🇨🇦.
Yesterday I enjoyed a delicious meal and as I took photos of them because they were so beautifully prepared and presented. Yammy… nettle soup with poached egg, perched pike with potatoes and finally a brûlée with rhubarb and raspberry sorbet.
Known for their fragrant springtime blooms and jewel-like fruit, crabapple trees make beautiful additions to the landscape. These are from an old one that every years continues to give joy! There are tons of varieties to choose from, but here is one of the best ones for long-lasting, colorful flowers, fruit, and fall foliage when planted in a sunny spot.
In the shade of the old apple tree When the love in your eyes I could see When the voice that I heard, like the song of the bird Seemed to whisper sweet music to me, I could hear the dull buzz of the bee In the blossoms as you said to me With a heart that is true, I’ll be waiting for you In the shade of the old apple tree…
Adjusting to a new rhythm, waking up earlier and leaving the house to go to work. I am not keen morning person, but summer and the light makes it so much easier. Winter, well then is is So , So hard, but no need to worry about that now.
I try to keep some kind of post flow, but we will see how I succeed. Tomorrow is Friday, hurray for that.
As in previous posts I have been capturing the bloom of nature. The same theme continues here. Hope you enjoy them. I spotted also a blue heart formation, but not as pretty as the one I posted previously im my opinion.
While at the countryside I noticed that it looks positive for the berries in the autumn. We can look forward to lots of blueberries and lingonberries or cowberries. Wood strawberries are looking good too.. I did have my camera with me so I did take photos. Here are some of my weekend pics of blueberries
While at the countryside I noticed that it looks positive for the berries in the autumn. We can look forward to lots of blueberries and lingonberries or cowberries. Wood strawberries are looking good too.. I did have my camera with me so I did take photos. Here are some of my weekend pics of blueberries
Spent on long weekend with not laptop and I was too lazy to post anything with my phone. I am in for a life change for a while, I’m starting a full time job tomorrow, but it is a fixed term contract so this joy won’t last for long, but it is what it is. The only downside is I will be that I will be working all through summer, no holiday day to enjoy the best season ( my opinion, I’m a summer person) in Finland.
For Blueberries
While at the countryside I noticed that it looks positive for the berries in the autumn. We can look forward to lots of blueberries and lingonberries or cowberries. Wood strawberries are looking good too.. I did have my camera with me so I did take photos. Here are some of my weekend pics of blueberries
Yesterday we had vile weather, lots of rain and wind. I still went out, braced myself to the weather, for a good cause. I picked few of my art works from the printer and later took my artwork to the person who commissioned them, sound so formal and grand. I felt so good to see the finalized work to see it as an artwork instead an image on the screen. She was happy, I was happy 🙂
If you like my artwork, take some time to check out my Art By Ritvapages.
I took a drive by myself to enjoy the nature in Kopparnäs in Inkoo as it was a nice May day. Not cold, not hot. As it was a weekday I was one of the first to be there. When I arrived a group of kids in daycare had been enjoying the morning there and were just about to leave. One of the girls was complaining that she had not enjoyed it reason being that the water was cold 🙂
It was windy in the first spot I stopped, but as I walked little bit further I found a spot were I was shielded from the wind by the trees, but I was able to enjoy the view, sun enjoy the hum of the wind, the sound of the sea and birds singing. So nice, so calm.
I would not me if I did not have my camera with me, but even to my surprise I took less the 40 shots and I was there nearly three hours 🙂
We went seeing local sights with our grandsons – all three of them. To my total surprise there were no fights or need to raise my voice once, well not in a angy way anyways. They were on the move all the time running around in such speed. Luckily the oldest boy to the youngest under his wings, he was so caring and guiding all day. The only place they were still was at dinner table 🙂 this post has photos of the boys the scenery are another post all together.
I was trying to capture the mood and the care and their inquisity towards new thing into these shots.
Looking closely at this plant that makes a memorable impression on you if you touch it in the foliage that is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an instant rash. The stinging nettles, looks pretty when looking at it closely, as most plants do.
I was walking taking photos of nature blooming – lost my spectacles luckily found them as I had to go through the same spots again. I was a bit frustrated, as I have lost two pair of sunglasses while taking photos. One in the rapids of Kumiankoski few years back, One in the Chapora River in India.