This dock is at Pilvijärvi, a small lake in Kirkkonummi. It looked so nice in the low autumn light on this sunny morning at the end of October.
The dock
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.
Lake Pilvijärvi
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.
Entering the forest
An autumn forest is such a place that once entered you never look for the exit!
~ Mehmet Murat ildan
low light of fall
Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.
~William Allingham
Rainbow colors~2
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 ?
Rainbow colors
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 🙂
No name
How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.
~ John Burroughs
Little bit of browns
Sorbaronia mitschurinii leaves
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.
Oriental Bittersweet
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.
October at Humaljärvi
I have so many shots from this lake at nearly all hours. I am rather happy how I captured the October colors and hues.
The clear light that belongs to October was making the landscape radiant.
~Florence Bone
O suns and skies and clouds of June, And flowers of June together, Ye cannot rival for one hour October’s bright blue weather.
~Helen Hunt Jackson
Heure bleue
the last stripe of light in the horizon a Lake Humaljärvi in Kirkkonummi. I love the blue tone – heure bleue as they say in French.
End of summer season
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.
Chickens and a Rooster
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.
At the lake
Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.
~Jim Bishop
The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking…
Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.
Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.
~William Allingham
Autumn chores
Autumn chores at the summer house nearly every year includes burning of dry twigs that you have left from cutting down trees. That was in the agenda this year too.
A walk
Entering a world of wonders, a small boy going for a walk.
Autumn mist
Pine trees
Calm of the morning
To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim, the rocks, the motion of the waves, the ships with men in them. What stranger miracles are there?
~Walt Whitman
The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.
~Kate Chopin
Forest Health
I often find peace and calmness in the forest, a great place to gather your thoughts. Have a spiritual moment 🙂
Forest Health, is not only a Finnish luxury, I am sure it is recognized all over the world. Shinrin-yoku, as they call it in Japan, is a famous way of spending time in nature. Research has shown that people who practice forest bathing , exposure to forests and trees gets these benefits from it: 1. boosts the immune system 2. lowers blood pressure 3. reduces stress 4. improves mood 5. increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD 6. accelerates recovery from surgery or illness 7. increases energy level 8. improves sleep
I went to a forest…
Störsvik
Beautiful morning enjoying nature is good for the mind and soul
Sculpture weekend
I have been studying sculpture for about five years, I had few years break now I am back again at it. The process it self is meditative, you just concentrate on the clay and what you can do with it, sometimes with frustrations, as it does not in anyway resemblance what you are trying to achieve. At times, you get into a flow and time just passes without noticing. Until, well, your shoulders burn after three hours of concentration in a same position. your mind free of any outside, mundane or worrisome thoughts. Here is a piece in process and one, finally ready and some figures waiting to be burned.
Sunflower
And the yellow sunflower by the brook, in autumn beauty stood.
Brown symbolizes: comfort
Brown symbolizes: reliability, stability, honesty, comfort
Effects of brown: simplifies, protects, grounds, stabilizes
Positive traits: appreciation, support, wisdom, dependable
Negative traits: boring, dull, timid, predictable
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 