Stunning view in the Big Sur Area, the pacific looks very blue from there. Take a deep breath, this is a spot you want to take a while to enjoy
Bixby Creek Bridge
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.
Big Sur – Willow Creek view point
Continuing the route, these are views from Willows Creek view point.
It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way. Hope you enjoy seeing the beautiful landscape from the California Coast through my eyes and lenses.
Big Sur – Cabrillo Hwy
The following posts will have bunch of photos from Big Sur, California. We drove the Cabrillo Hwy and took in all the beautiful views on this route. This time my husband had found the brake in the car, he has a tendency to drive directly to the destination. As this was a scenic route we stopped many, many and once more many times.
It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way. Hope you enjoy seeing the beautiful landscape from the California Coast through my eyes and lenses.
CB&W Hot or Cold
Black and white – Cold or Hot I am going with COLD. These are from Siuntio in southern Finland on a a cold winter day.
Kollaasi 213 (1/2020) – Jaspis!
Here is my entry for this week s color collage Kollaasi 213 (1/2020)
Piedras Blancas Light Station
The light house was closed, but we stopped to take a photos first from further away and then at the gate. I have a liking to light houses so they are always a photo opportunity to me, I don’t know if you’ve noticed that 🙂
Elephant Seal Vista Point
We came across this Elephant Seal Vista Point as we drove the Cabrillo Highway. We were impressed by the sight, one more experience that I had not encountered before. More info of the Elephant Seals
Breakfast at Joe’s
Before we left towards our drive to Big Sur we had a nice american breakfast at Joe’s Place in Paso Robles. The owner is a patriot, by the look of the memorabilia and photos on the walls.. Also lot of old movie stars pictures- Ladies room had pictures of old leading men. I did not visit the men’s room, but I heard lovely ladies covered the walls. We do not have these kind of diners/ breakfast places in Finland so this was a rare opportunity to do this kind of breakfast. I was going to skip this part, but my husband let me understand that this should be in the “diary” of our trip.
A Wine Lover’s Paradise 2
The late afternoon we spent at Tooth and Nail Winery, I have nothing to complain about this place either.I enjoyed the music and wine, but of these two I preferred Sculpterra Winery.
A Wine Lover’s Paradise
Our next stop is Paso Robles, A Wine Lover’s Paradise. We stayed one night and visited Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden and Tooth and Nail Winery ( my next post). These are from Sculpterra our first pick. It had a lovely atmosphere, serene, musicians playing in the garden. I really enjoyed our visit.
Sequoia – Sunset
What can I say; the sunset was beautiful. The sky changed colors constantly and the point of focus changed the tone of the shot dramatically. I was even able to capture stars ( white spots on the photo) with out a tripod.
Sequoia – Moro Rock
Moro Rock is a granite dome rock formation in Sequoia National Park, California, United States. It is located in the center of the park, at the head of Moro Creek, between Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow. A stairway, designed by the National Park Service and built in the 1930s , is cut into and poured onto the rock, so that visitors can hike to the top. The view from the rock encompasses much of the Park, including the Great Western Divide.
My husband took the photos from top of the Moro Rock and I edited them. I was not able to climb up due to my foot injury, I have been there 30 something years ago.
Memories from years back 🙂
Sequoia, Giant Forest
The beautiful redwood trees are HUGE, unless you see them it is hard to imagine the size them. To think that there are people who think they should be cut down. I am blown away of the majesty of the trees. General Sherman is a giant sequoia tree located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park it is the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth.
Height 83.8 m (275 ft), Diameter 7.7 m (25 ft), Volume of trunk 1,487 m3 (52,500 cu ft), Date seeded 700BC – 300BC
The Giant Forest, famed for its giant sequoia trees, is within the Sequoia National Park. This montane forest, situated at over 6,000 feet (1,800 m) above mean sea level. The giant sequoia tree is the most massive species of tree on earth and they are impressive for sure.
We caught up with a group of people who had a guide with them and so we discovered this three that you could crawl into and you could also see though the tree to the side and the top of the trunk a hollow tree. One more thing to be amazed about.
Memories from 1990’s
Sequoia National Park #2
The beautiful trees and mountain views were spectacular as we drove up.
Nature is so versatile, so serene, beautiful. I am at awe. Continuing to share photos of natures wonders. Art form that I so appreciate.
Värikollaasi 212 (53/201)
the last one for this year Värikollaasi 212
Sequoia National Park
We arrived to Three Rivers at dusk so the only thing was to book ourselves into a motel and find a place to eat. There was nothing to take photos at this time.
Next day we are meeting old friends and heading to the Sequoia National Park to see the beautiful red woods, mountains. These are from the way up. I mean really, this is such a lovely place. I have tons of photos from out trip up, so be prepared to be overloaded with natures wonders. Art form that I so appreciate.
on the road #3
Still on the road. What you see when you travel and stay awake..
On the Road #2
I loved spotting the trees on the rolling hills. Considering I took these from a moving car I think they came out rather good. For some reason this kind of images appeal to me. I often take photos of a lonely tree of few trees? Do you have a favorite topic you come back to?
All the rolling hills on this part of the drive appeal to my aesthetic sensibilities 🙂
On the road
My dairy of our trip continues, as we left Las Vegas. We started our road trip first destination was Three Rivers in California. Here are some shot taken from the drive, you quest it, there might be a # 2 and even #3 for this topic too.
We sure were happy that on this Friday we were heading out of Las Vegas as the traffic towards was rather congested. Nice long lines of cars. This was to be our longest drive at one time the following stops we had planned to be shorter. So we listened to music, looked at the changing scenery and I took photos from the moving car 🙂
Värikollaasi 211
Wow, two weeks in a row. Värikollaasi 211 (52/2019) Joulun värit! ( Xmas Colors is the theme this week.
Värikollaasi 210
It has been ages since I participated in any photo collage “challenge” Here is my entry for Värikollaasi 210 (51/2019)
Seasons greeting
Thinking warmly of each of you and wishing your family an extra measure of comfort, joy and hope this Christmas!
Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas!
Sunset at Goa
I have to say this is one of the most memorable sunset I’ve witnessed. Chapora River sunset in India.
Hoover Dam
It was sad to see how the water level had gone down. It for sure is not a promising sign to Nevada’s water supplies. You’ll see a visual reminder of the area’s changing water levels in the high-water mark apparent on every rocky surface. Jokingly called a “bathtub ring,” the revealed stone is lighter in color, with undulating lines marking water heights through the years
Bootleg Canyon
We ended up at the Bootleg Canyon as one of our friends started to talk to a local at a small local Mexican place. Told us that you can see to both sides to town and hoover Dam from there. So we drove the gravel road up to the top and took some photos in the afternoon and returned at nighttime to see the valley light up. Those photos did not turn up well as I did not have a tripod with me.
The images above are from the afternoon.
So much light, with a better lens and tripod I think I could have had some great shots from this place 🙂
Lake Mead
Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Bootleg Canyon were the destinations on one of the days during our visit to Las Vegas. These all happened on on the same day, but I am going to post them one by one, because I have so many pictures to share. I have some great memories or shoud I say memorable memories from Lake Mead, Once we were caught in a sandstorm and hide in the water with just our head out of water. I nearly lost may angles – life during a water ski accident… Yeah I remember this place.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 