Back to the archives, this is an old sunset photo I discovered when searching for shots that I’ve disregarded, now after editing , not so shabby.
New Edits – Sunset
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.
Digital ART – CAT
Check out my art Blog
Porkkala cape
Porkkalanniemi is in Kirkkonummi the area I live in, we visit it quite often and the natural beauty of the place never lets me down. The area consists of rocky shores, pine forest, and beautiful outlooks onto the sea. The Porkkala cape stretches far out to the sea. These are from our yesterdays visit.
Lone Cypress tree
The Lone Cypress tree, believed to be more than 250 years old, draws many visitors to the scenic 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula to take photographs of it, me included. Yes this is from our California trip last fall. I got distracted for a while. Here are two shots
Sitting under the tree
Social distancing is the word. this man with his son looked serious with their distancing – a very full boat with supplies they seemed to be heading to to an island near by – I think.
Swans
We visited Kopparnäs-Störsvik and we were treated to undeveloped coastline as far as the eye can see and rocky outcrops rising high above sea level. The area was perfect for enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest and seaside. Watching the swans – they were eating most of the time 🙂
Forest therapy
This forest, hill behind our home is an easy place to escape to nature. We can see it from our house and watch the season change. At the moment I am waiting for the green to push through and brighten this place. I do like that there is so much evergreens here. Moss, pine trees, spruce. it is forest therapy just steps away. Happy Easter everyone, stay safe and take care.
CB&W – Wheels
Photo of a photo
I took this photo of a photo at SkyPoint (formerly Q1 Observation Deck and QDeck) at the top of the Q1 on the Gold Coast, Australia. I liked the photo and now I’ve played with it, practicing my editing skills, as I think is a great shot.
At the pier
On moment at the end of the dock.
Scanning project
Today I created a new folder for my Travel photos. I created a folder for the countries I have visited and moved all the ones I could find to the right places. This is the beginning of my scanning project as there are several places I’ve visited before photos began to be in digital form. These two are from my first stay in NY.
Landscape in Monochrome
What do you think of these images. I have not really done lots of landscapes in black and white. Cities, portraits, still life, in those I have thought it works beautifully. Now I have tried, I am rather happy how they turned out. I would not be sharing them if I wasn’t 🙂 .
Kollaasi 225 (13/2020)
It’s time to change a theme and for now shades of colors will be found in spices. The first spice color is nutmeg.
CB&W – Birds
found in an old chair
I has you guessing in an earlier post as to what I’ve photographed, well, these are from the same topic, old chair springs that he replaced for new ones. It is hard to find new things to take photos off. Soon we will have spring and I can see the nature come to bloom and that will help a lot. Take care everyone of yourself and your loved ones.
All photos can be enlarged by clicking the image.
Archive finds ~ edition 1
From my archive i found these street photography shots and I’ve edited them to block and white. I think it gives them a more timeless, classic look. I also have color edits, o you have an opinion as to which works better in your opinion?
These were taken in Nicè France, hope you enjoy them. I like the children’s joy in them.
Can you guess?
As social-distancing is the thing one needs to find things to photograph at home or in my case my own yard too. Can you guess what I’ve photographed?
in my twenties
Many of us enthusiast photographers are now at home and trying to think of what to photograph. Still life, food photos are the first things that come to mind. I decided not to do that. I am going to start scanning old photos, make a project of it. I have hundred of photos that are fading in albums and boxes. Now is the time to scan the best ones. I might even share some of my finds.
There has been a challenge going on to post a picture of your self when you were young. This is one of me in my twenties. Even then I loved the sea and beaches, somethings remain the same. So do not be surprised if you end up seeing photos from the past decades.
Share what you are doing right now
Share what you are doing right now, take a photo and post it. No edits, no tidying up to make better photo.Let’s keep it real. This is what I am doing now, editing photos. What about you?
AS most of us are in self quarantine due to corona virus. This is what behind my windows. First is from my office and the second is a view from my living room the other place I spend lots of time.
Kollaasi 224 (12/2020)
Kollaasi 224 (12/2020)! this weeks shades of colors are found from amethyst. Found a spelling mistake in my collage, but no problem, I often have them. Just letting you know I noticed it too but am too lazy to fix it .
Found in my yard
Monochrome Madness -Stairway
CB&W – Fences
CB&W Fences this week my photos for this challenge are as follows. My favorite fence from our summer house.
Snowdrops
isn’t it one of the first signs of spring when snwdrops bloom in March. Today I spotted these in my garden. I did play around with the lightning to get different effects.
My lovely white cats
At this moment time, with the world in lock down, I have spent lost’s of time going through my archives. On the top is our Sisko cat that was run over by a car about five years ago. Veikka his brother is still with us, here is also a photo of him looking out the window , wishing that he could go out.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 