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.
Kivenlahti seaside was grey, as I was taking a walk there searching for gray, which is a topic of a month in a Photography FB group I am in. I saw this boat being left in to the reeds. I thought that might make a great B&W shot. So here it is.
If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
As many of you asked if I was happy with the outcome to the hair salon, well this is the outcome
On a windy Monday evening I went to take photos of the city by night. First I visited Töölö. After that we drove to the center, I was going to try different locations but the wind was so strong that I decided that it isn’t the best of weathers to be taking photos.
Considering that I have to tripod, I think these night photos turned out OK.
This is always a day of Big decisions, at least for the ladies. I should not say all ladies, but to many women I know. What to do to your hair when at the hair salon. What color, what cut…
I have had red(carrot) hair nearly two years, but now everyone is turning red, I have to try something new a darker shade. A long bob has been my look for years. Today is time for change. This isn’t my best look, but it was something I did to survive this month of grayness.
Shells found on one of out trips to warm and sandy beaches. The original photo was taken 2014 so few years back, now I edited it and then converted it to B&W
On a windy Monday evening I went to take photos of the city by night. First I visited Töölö. The park between two streets, Hesperia Esplanade, was my main topic, while I waited for my husband to finish his business there.
The name Hesperia is connected to the romantic trend in the early 1800s. Hesperia was the poetic name used by the ancient Greeks to describe the mythical lands far off to the west. Hesperos refers to the evening star, and in Greek mythology the Hesperides were nymphs who tend a blissful garden in a far western corner of the world. Hercules is said to have collected golden apples from their garden. (text from vihreatsylit.fi)
Considering how few leaves we have at home I was surprised how many there were at this esplanade.
I had some errands to run in Helsinki and took my camera with me, so I could take night time. Photos of cities and buildings are something that look good as black and white. In this picture you can see in the front the the old market hall – it is still in use. In the back is the city hall and background the Helsinki Cathedral
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES
Hei kaikille osallistujille, minulla on ollut paljon ongelmia postata kommentteja bloggeriin. Blogitse ilmoittaa koko ajan että väärä vastaus… laskutehtävät ovat vielä kuitenkin sen tasoisia että ne hallitsen. Samoin muutama muukin jää epävarmaksi että tuleeko ne näkyviin. esim. Digi Passions, Parallel lines sama ongelma,
Kirkkonummi’s medieval stone church is located in the center of Kirkkonummi. The exact time of construction is not known, but the work apparently began in the 15th century. A wooden church, was previously located on the site. Kirkkonummi Church is named after St. Michael the Archangel Michael.
Originally, Kirkkonummi Church was very small. In addition to stone, brick was used as the material. In the 18th century, the church began to expand, and in the mid-19th century it was transformed into its present form as a cruciform church. The church bell tower was built in 1824.
If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES
I chose as an older photograph my take Träskända Manor so I would be on a same kind of topic. I love old buildings, I think they have so much more character.
I decided today go out, we have a new library here in Kirkkonummi. I have to say, I was impressed. It was bright, modern with lots of seating areas here and there.
There are so many pictures here from the library that I am going to leave out the old edited photo. This is more than enough content to this post. All and all it is a nice library from the inside, and the copper siding will in turn green eventually.
If you wish to participate in this November beating challenge post your link here PARALLEL lines
I am going to post these post about two edits so I can try to find out what people like, I might go over the top with some, but as I am trying to learn a new artsy take on some photographs by giving your opinion you are greatly helping me learn a new skill. Please comment I truly appreciate it. I am going to post the favorite one on my FB account.
I went slightly overboard with this one. SORRY!! there are two sets of choices. I could not make up my mind which two to pick 🙂
This is an old country road in Kirkkonummi, I love this old oak tree next to the road. The entryway to the property next door is also inviting. I always admire this view which ever season maybe.
It is here the dreariest moth of the year for me here in Northern hemisphere. The whole month is a constant loss of light. Gray. Depressing. I am taking on a theme for this month. Monochrome. Black and White photos all month. I am taking on a challenge of editing one old photos to my best ability to Black and White, plus one new photo a day, hey, you guessed it in Black and White. Do you you want to join me with this theme? If you wish to participate add your link here to LEPIS
This is the First of HTSN- 2020
Happy smile – portrait of a graduate
An old chest of drawers that is in my husbands office, we have several old side boards or bureaus or what ever you call them in our home. My husband lovers to restore them and we have more of them that we have places for them. It is his hobby. My hobby is art, paintings, sculpture and photography, for some reason they are also all around our house. I have placed my sculptures on the one that is in his office ,that I have not found proper places elsewhere, my four refugees and a woman with a book. Our wedding photo is there and so is my oldest sons wedding photo too, side by side. Continuance.
I was too lazy to go out into the grayness, this being the reason for this photo.
if you wish to participate add your link here to LEPIS
Lake Pilvijärvi is near where I live, thought I just found it as I was searching for the last signs of Autumn colors. It is a tiny lake with many small dock surrounding it. As I was there I saw one person jogging by so very peaceful. The end of October is so low and soft. Here is my photos of this picturesque place.
As the rainbow was behind my back and I was facing the lake with the sun shining on my face in as a slight drizzle came down I took these photos of the rain. I was able to capture the “rainbow balls” I do not know the name for this effect, but I am very happy with these captures, what do you think ?
I had to get out of the house, it felt like the walls are falling on top of me. Covid has so messed up our lives, so many restrictions to what, where and when you can do it. So I have mainly stayed at home as the weather has not been the greatest the past weeks. Now as it is already dark a 5 PM well … need I say more.
Well anyways I got out of the house and we even got few moments of sunshine today and it was warm at this time of the year 14C. I took the car and went for a drive. My first stop was at lake Syväjärvi as I noticed a nice rainbow. What I saw on the front of the rainbow you can see in the next post, stay tuned 🙂
November’s sky is chill and drear, / November’s leaf is red and sear.
~Sir Walter Scott
it is few days a way from November, the dreariest month of all, dark, wet and cold. So Even the quote is about November and we are still in October, I will take an exception on posting it as is goes with the photos.
These are some of the colors we still have in our backyard at home, orange, yellow, brown and green. In this post it is about Oriental Bittersweet that grows on our fence. What is left on it at the moment is orange color in the form of berries. Earlier in the autumn it was vivid yellow with yellow berries that now at the end of October have turned orange.
It is that time of the year again that we closed the summer house for season 2020.
We packed all the linens away and emptied the refrigerator and cupboards from food. Racked the leaves, well actually we run the lawnmower over them and this way the all the nutrients will remain in the ground.
So these are this season’s farewell photos, Enjoyed a lovely sunset and warmth of the fireplace plus the beautiful night sky you are able to see in the countryside as there are no street lights.
As I do not live in the country I don’t come across farm animals that often, but lots of people have started to raise chicken on they yards so they can get fresh eggs. These chicken live in an old boat.