Category: Black and White photos

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Interiors

Kwai River Bridge in monochrome stands as a poignant symbol of history, capturing the essence of a time when the world was engulfed in conflict. This engineering marvel, with its timeless design and eerie beauty, offers a glimpse into the harrowing stories of those who labored to construct it under dire conditions. The stark contrast of black and white enhances the bridge’s formidable structure. Surrounded by the serene landscape of lush greenery, the bridge creates a striking juxtaposition between nature and the indomitable spirit of human endeavor. The monochrome palette not only adds a layer of nostalgia but also invites viewers to reflect on the past, eliciting a sense of melancholy intertwined with admiration for the resilience displayed throughout the years.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome Madness – Sibelius Hall

My last photos are from the concert Hall where the Orchestra played a part of Sibelius Karelia Suite.

Most of the photos in this series are in Monochrome, capturing the essence and mood of the scene in a timeless black and white aesthetic. As you scroll through the collection, you’ll notice that amidst the artistic monochrome compositions, there is a solitary color photo strategically placed. This serves as a captivating contrast, a glimpse of vivid reality in an otherwise grayscale narrative. The deliberate inclusion of this color photograph is a nod to the diverse and multi-faceted nature of the experience I’m sharing. Reflecting on the captivating imagery, I found that the music shots particularly stood out in Monochrome. There’s a grandeur and timelessness to them, evoking a sense of history and significance. Do you share this perspective?

Additionally, I’ve complemented the visual story with two brief yet impactful videos capturing the music in motion. These videos serve as an immersive extension, bringing the rhythmic melodies and vibrant energy to life, inviting you to experience the music in a new dimension. They can be found at the conclusion of this post, inviting you to immerse yourself further in the ambiance and emotion of the moment.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness challenge.

The beginning

a moment from the middle.

I filmed these with my iPhone, and the last one with cinematic video mode

Monochrome Madness – on the beach

Black and White photos, Flowers

Beach, seaside, and coastal areas , in general have always been one of my favorite places to be. There’s something incredibly soothing about the sound of the sea, the rhythmic symphony of waves crashing against the shore, and the vastness of the ocean stretching out as far as the eye can see. Walking barefoot on the soft, warm sand, feeling the grains beneath my feet, brings a sense of relaxation that is unparalleled. Whether it’s the gentle sea breeze, the mesmerizing colors of the sunset reflecting on the water, or the endless opportunities for exploration and discovery along the coastline, the beach is a place where I find true happiness.

It doesn’t matter if its a bit windy or cold, the seaside has its own lure whatever the weather.

Searching for beautiful seashells on the beach is a delightful pastime . Whether it’s the vibrant hues of a sun-bleached conch , each shell is a unique . As you wander along the shore, there is joy in spotting the intricate patterns the sea has sculpted into the sand, creating a fascinating canvas that changes with each tide.

Posted for Brian’s Monochrome Madness and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome Madness – flowers

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness flowers are beautiful, captivating in both their natural, colorful state and the elegant monochrome interpretations. As I have immersed myself in the process of searching for photos, I found myself drawn deeper into the intricate details and unique characteristics of various flowers. From vibrant roses to delicate lilies, each bloom tells a story of resilience and beauty. It’s truly fascinating how the monochrome concept brings forth a fresh perspective on these natural wonders, allowing us to appreciate their forms and textures in a new light. So, in keeping with this theme, I am continuing exploring and capturing the timeless allure of flowers through monochrome photography.

Monochrome Madness #14 – Shadows and Silhouettes

Dawn hosts this week Monochrome Madness, I also linked to Leanne’s post. I am so proud of myself, I was able to limit my photos to four. As Leanne also pointed out in her post , I don’t really photograph shadows much, or if I have I can’t remember them.

sorry for the life of me I cannot remember where I took this and I am too lazy at the moment to do the research. ( update, Leanne kindly recognized the city as Melbourne. Thanks 🙂

Forsyth Park Savannah’s largest and most popular park. The City’s most famous fountain—installed in 1858 and modeled after the fountains at the Place de la Concorde in Paris—crowns the northern edge of the park.

Monochrome Madness: 31 July

When you drive in Finland on small dirt roads, you can come across this kind of old-time milieu, with the gravel crunching under your tires and the scent of pine trees filling the air. As you navigate the winding paths, you can imagine that the picture was taken years ago, before the modern advancements reached this corner of the world. The old log houses stand as witnesses to the passage of time, surrounded by many different outbuildings in the yard. Electricity pylons, a striking contrast to the rustic scenery, bring it into modern times, emphasizing the coexistence of tradition and progress. When presented in black and white, the atmosphere is further enhanced, allowing in the timeless vibes of the past.

Monochrome Madness: 31 July

Monochrome Madness #13 – Trees

This week is a “themed” Monochrome Madness week, and Sarah at Travel With Me is hosting with the theme “Trees”.

Trees yes, here are some trees for you that have caught my attention. The first and the last one is from few nights ago…trees are a great choice for monochrome images.

I have shared this before, but I do like…So here it is again.

All images in the gallery can be enlarged with a click.

Monochrome madness – under the clouds

The weather has been rather unpredictable over the past week, with a mix of rain, clouds, and sunshine. It’s one of the hallmarks of summer, especially in July, when the weather can fluctuate dramatically from one day to the next. This kind of variability keeps everyone on their toes, as you never quite know what to expect when you step outside.

For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

Monochrome Sculptures

Black and White photos, People

PR‘s Monochrome madness asked for statue photos, and it turns out that I don’t have all that many. The first one is from Oulu. The others are from Italy. And I don’t know anything about them other than for some reason I took photos of them many of them have wings 🙂

A special feature in Oulu’s police history were the market police, whose task was to monitor the discipline and order of the market. It was through them that a large part of the townspeople and the population of the province also got to know law enforcement and the police.

The time of market police lasted in Oulu from 1934 to 1979. From those times, the sayings ‘Are you from Oulu, are you afraid of the police’ and ‘Gents are good and go their separate ways’ have survived in Oulu. After the end of the market patrol, as a tribute to these policemen, a bronze statue, Toripolliisi, designed by Kaarlo Mikkonen, was erected in front of the Market Hall in 1987 as a result of a public gathering.
This 220-centimeter-tall, standing policeman from Oulu has over time become one of the sights and subjects that most reflect the Oulu community.

All photos in this gallery can be enlarged by a click

also posted to Leanne Cole

These two last one’s are of a sculpture I have made, these are taken when it was still a work in progress.

Happy Toes

The Weekend in Black and White – happy toes relaxing in a hammock

Posted as part of Weekend B&W

Ritz entrance

Black and White photos, Cities

Ritz entrance posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Monochrome madness – roads

Black and White photos, Cities

Dawn is hosting and the theme is roads. I have taken several road shot, and i am sharing five with you. I am so proud of myself for been able to keep it in the limits I set for myself, I have a bad habit of sharing too many photos in each post.

I do like the quieter roads better, cities traffic is a given.

Road in Kirkkonummi taken on a rainy and foggy winter day

Misty morning on the road in Queensland

Traffic in San Francisco

Back street in Miami

Traffic in Brisbane

Monochrome Madness | crossroads

Black and White photos, Photography, Travel, Traveling US

I’m just posting this crossing from our trip to Charleston last year. Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome Madness #8 – Windows

The Monochrome Madness theme this week has been set for us by Dawn, from The Day After. She thought Windows would be a good challenge and I have to agree, as I post windows weekly 🙂 anyway, also shared with Monday window

Old Dairy in Kuivanto – Finland

Broken windows make a great photo opportunity in Kirkkonummi

I think the signs reveal the locations for these two.

Monochrome Madness – flowers

Black and White photos, Still life

The Monochrome Madness challenge from 2014 holds a place in my memory. It was a wonderfully coordinated endeavor, involving the talents of Leanne and Laura. I recall that the images were sent by email and Leanne coordinated the post. That is a lot of work to do. Reflecting on the past, I recall participating in that engaging challenge, and it feels like it happened just yesterday.

Considering the present, as we embrace a non-theme week, I’m inspired to delve into my archives and unearth some of my black and white images captured during that same period in 2014. Following in the footsteps of Leanne, I’m focusing my lens on the enchanting subject of flowers. It’s fun to ponder how I’ve evolved and honed my skills as a photographer and editor since then. While there’s always room for growth, I can’t help but feel that I have improved a little bit since then

As always all photos can be enlarged by a click.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome Madness #6 – Everyday Objects

So this is posted for Sarah of Travels with Me, who’s prompted this week’s challenge for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. The first three I took this morning after I saw the topic. Tinka was just having a sip of water, while I was having my morning coffee. I thought I’d cook something with pasta today so I’ll have to choose witch pasta to use. I came to my study and thought that should I apply some makeup on, or not 😀 Probably not.

I mean, those are okay shots or do I have anything in my archives I could post. Off course I have, so I found few and convert them to monochrome . As always, all the images can be enlarged by clicking on them even if in a gallery.

Monochrome – visit to the blacksmith

Outside of the city and into the country in Monochrome Madness was the Leanne’s post this week. Since it is a great topic, I decided to follow her lead.

Visiting the local blacksmith a few years back the photos have a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. As I walked through the idyllic countryside, the sight of the red cottages against the backdrop of green fields was truly enchanting. The gravel roads, weathered by time, led the way . The old trees, with their gnarled branches and thick canopies, stood as silent guardians of the road, offering shade and a sense of wisdom to the travelers passing by. It was a scene that seemed to be frozen in time. And as a profession a blacksmith is a dying breed.

I do love black and white photography, but this time I left the red buildings as is because they are so in the heart of Finnish countryside. A traditional Finnish falu red log house in is so common. The Finnish expression punainen tupa ja perunamaa, “a red cottage and a potato patch”, referring to idyllic home and life, is a direct allusion to a country house painted in falu red.

Falu red – Punamulta : is a permeable red paint commonly used on wooden cottages and barns in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

Monochrome – an old, weathered building

The cobblestone streets led me to an enigmatic relic—an old, weathered building that stood defiant against the passage of time. Its walls bore the scars of countless seasons, each crack and peeling paint layer a testament to memories etched into its very essence.

an old, weathered building in Riga, Latvia

The windows, some boarded up like secrets held too close, others revealing glimpses of the past, beckoned me closer. The sun, cast its golden brushstrokes upon the facade. Shadows danced, revealing hidden nooks and crannies. I imagined the building’s heyday…

Posted for Dawn’s Monochrome Madness

a canvas for the imagination

The Veil of Morning Fog

As the sun timidly rises, it casts a soft glow upon the rolling hills, shrouded in a delicate veil of morning fog. The mist clings to the rugged peaks, blurring their edges and lending an ethereal quality to the scene. It’s as if the hills themselves are reluctant to reveal their secrets.

A narrow trail winds through the landscape, disappearing into the mist. Perhaps it was once a well-trodden route, but now it lies almost forgotten.

Here, silence reigns supreme. The only sounds are the occasional cry of a bird. Even the wind seems to hold its breath, respecting the stillness of this beautiful place.

Monochrome – few of my favourites

I delved into my collection of photographs and found some of my all-time favorites monochrome images. The captivating essence of the sea is a recurring theme in most of these photos. However, amidst the sea-themed photos, there are two exceptional ones that stand out – “The wheels” and “The monk.” These images hold a different kind of allure, offering a unique perspective and adding depth to the collection.

There’s something about the sea and its surroundings that resonates deeply within me. The tranquil yet dynamic atmosphere, the soothing sound of the waves, and the rugged beauty of lighthouses never fail to captivate my heart. These elements have a way of inspiring a sense of adventure, peaceful introspection, and a profound connection with nature. It’s moments like these that remind me of the sheer beauty and wonder that surrounds us, urging me to capture them and hold onto their essence forever.

Monochrome Madness – Some of my all time favourites was what Leanne had on her blog, I thought I’d follow her lead.

Monochrome – Melbourne

This week Leanne has given us a topic – travel. I visited her beloved Melbourne some years back.

I hope these monochrome images give you a glimpse of Melbourne, allowing me also to reminisce about my own visit to this enchanting city. The evocative play of light and shadow in the evening and night captures Melbourne’s charm. The subtle details in the photographs subtly hint at the time of the year, eliciting fond memories of our December visit. No wonder, that I also harbor a desire to revisit this wonderful destination.

Monochrome – Silhouetted Trees at Dusk

I loved this moody and atmospheric scene with silhouetted trees against a cloudy sky, I took it while in a moving car when traveling in Australia. I loved edited it to a minimalist style. The stark contrast between the dark silhouettes of the trees and the cloudy sky creates a sense of depth and mystery. In the end the edit came out serene and slightly ominous mood.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome – textures