Black and White photos – Page 7 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Beautiful in Black and White 2 –

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

These red cabins in Hailuoto are my next topic, the built environment in Hailuoto is characterised by well-preserved traditional buildings, I took many shots of them here is tthe ones I have edited into black and white.

Hailuoto is the largest island in the Bothnian Bay. The island started to rise from the sea approximately 2,000 years ago and continues to do so. Eventually the island will adjoin mainland. The island has been inhabited for at least 1,000 years. Fishing was naturally essential for the islanders as was agriculture. By the end of the 19th century, population on the island had reached 2,000 inhabitants but by the 60’s and 70’s started to fall. In 1980, the number of inhabitants had dropped below 900, but since then has increased again steadily and is now around 1,000 residents.

Hailuoto natural environment is an asset and we do our best to preserve it for future generations by different conservation programmes. Protection covers birds, shoreline and unique esker formations. The rising shoreline is constantly changing and thus forms a living conservation area. The built environment in Hailuoto is characterised by well-preserved traditional buildings and therefore, together with its unique nature, Hailuoto was designated one of the national landscapes in Finland and actually the only one with national landscape covering the entire municipality. (https://www.hailuoto.fi/en/info-2/information-about-hailuoto/ )

Beautiful in Black and White 1

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I love black and white photography, I think portraits are more expressive and intensive in black and white. Same applies to photos of objects and architecture and stormy weather looks great in black and white images. I will post some of my summer photos that I think look great in grey scale under this title… how many is still a surprise for me too.

Fishing net and fishing boat on land at Hailuoto

This is the first one I did, and it encouraged me to continue as I liked the result. We visited Hailuoto this summer and I was at first sight drawn to the landscape there. Below some information about the area.

52 Frames: Week 21: Inspired By A Photographer! #2

Black and White photos, People

Andy Gotts MBE MA he is a photographer based in London, England, and New York, USA. He is most noted for his black and white portraits of Hollywood actors and singers, but he has occasional color shots, but even they are in muted colors.

I did not have a anyone famous to take photograph of, but my trusted model stepped up for the challenge.

Whether it’s legendary photographers whose work you’ve come across in a gallery exhibition or cool, modern photogs on Insta (and 52Frames.com), there are so many photographers whose work inspires me. Sometimes it’s just the concept, story and creativity of the composition; at other times, I find the technical aspects to be just jaw-dropping.

Being inspired isn’t the same as a 1:1 copy – far from it, it’s about learning and picking up certain aspects and nuances from a fellow photographer. Look at the tones and color palette that’s used or perhaps the technique that made it a shot for you to recall.

Still not sure whose work you’d like to pay tribute to or can’t choose from your photo heroes? Use our friendly random prompter to help you out with some well-admired photographers and the genres they’re best known for.

52 Frames: Week 21: Inspired By A Photographer!

Black and White photos, People

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut, creatively speaking ? Maybe you’re not feeling it any more ? Well, let’s get our creative juices flowing and get Inspired By A Photographer. Mine is from the friendly random prompter the name that came was Kirsty Larmour.

I took these shots of a family enjoying a early morning misty moment at the beach. I took the inspiration from Kirsty by capturing the closeness, natural moment, with out any posing. As Kirsty also uses monochrome a lot, I did also that. I use it a lot so we have lots of common. I need to pick one of these, so once again I am still don’t know which to choose.

My approach to photography is to capture real life – with a little sparkle on top fueled by my obsession with pretty light. I document the little things which might otherwise slip away

My approach to photography is relaxed and yet emotion focused, and this shines through in the family stories I tell. I want to capture how you laugh and love together and all the other emotions that make up your tales. The tickles and giggles and hilarious family jokes that you share – the things that are unique to you are all to be celebrated. I love natural light, and natural settings, be it your home where you feel comfortable, the beach, or out having a burger. When I join you at a session location I have a nosey around to see how I can catch you and your family naturally and in the most perfect light. I want to find out about you and see what makes you tick; this is how I capture your personalities and true emotions as they unfold.
I want to tell your story.
Kirsty Larmour

Photography is about light and compositions and connections – nothing inspires me more than when I get all three to work together – you’ll often see what my kids call “dancing sunbeams” in my photos as I work with the light to shine on your family and bathe you all in a glow.
Kirsty Larmour

Early morning at the beach in Monochrome

52 Frames: Week 19: Architecture !

Black and White photos, Cities

We’re shooting Architecture this week. Go out to places and shoot structures that we might not pay enough attention to – the sleek glass façade of a modern skyscraper, or maybe something with an art-deco frontage from decades earlier. Architecture isn’t all about the outsides alone, there are many places with magnificent interiors from churches and temples to a modern airport lounge.

Old medieval church and new built modern Library in Kirkkonummi, Finland

The church and Fyyri library (2020) were reconciled with the help of building materials and so that the reading room and café opened towards the church. A large glass wall visually connects the church into the library.
Kirkkonummi’s medieval stone church is located in the center of Kirkkonummi. The exact time of construction is unknown, but work apparently began in the 15th century. Kirkkonummi Church is named after St. Michael the Archangel.

Originally, the Church was 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.

It’s not just all about shots of buildings either – things like bridges and underpasses, tall radio masts, dams, windmills can all be amazing subjects. There’s also a lot of character in structures that are old or run-down: wabi-sabi is a concept that explores beauty in the imperfect and that ties in very well with many different kinds of structures.

Find an archway or opening you can use to frame a shot. Or use the architecture to create leading lines, symmetry, and repetition of shapes. Take your time, scope out your composition – maybe walk around a bit, looking for a nice perspective and shooting angles that work. A little bit of thought will make for some compelling and creative architecture images.

High contrast

Black and White photos, Cities, Interiors

Contrast is what makes photography interesting.
— Conrad Hall

Original colors, do notice the red car 🙂

By merely increasing or decreasing the amount of contrast in any area we can move the observer through the painting or photograph.

Texting and conversations

Black and White photos, Interiors, People

Texting is very loose in its structure. No one thinks about capital letters or punctuation when one texts, but then again, do you think about those things when you talk?

“Producing a photographic document involves preparation in excess. There is first the examination of the idea of the project. Then the visits to the scene, the casual conversations, and – talking, and listening, and looking, looking. … And finally, the pictures themselves, each one planned, talked, taken and examined in terms of the whole.”

52 Frames, Week 5: Black And White!

Black and White photos, People

Why does black and white photography so often grab our attention more? It’s because we have the ability to create STRONGER elements in our frame, by taking away much of the distraction that often comes with color. It’s simply less “things” for our brains to take in. But more than that, black and white will accentuate just that, so you can create more contrast and light/shadow play within your frame to tell a powerful story.

They evoke stronger emotions by paying greater attention to shadows, contrast and texture – three photographic elements that push good b/w images to become great ones.

Here a photos I am considering as one of my shots for BW entry. What I am trying to bring to focus in these shots are natural, age positive, emotion. My husband is a good sport as he is always ready to pose.

Any suggestions, idea, what do you think, can you find the elements of a good black and white shot in these.

What winter looks like – 8

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I have no plan other than that I am going to share pictures of what winter looks like. These pictures were not taken on the day I post them, but random shots of what winter can look like in southern Finland.

Not all images are new, actually most are images are images that accumulated in my archives waiting to be edited. I have re-processed them for these posts. My intention is that all the pictures would look good, no matter what the weather was the day I pressed the camera shutter button to capture a view or detail of winter. . I will keep it simple, one photo in the post and an other as a featured image.

What winter looks like – 9

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

What winter looks like – 5

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

What winter looks like – 3

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

What winter looks like – 2

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

What winter looks like

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

Not all images are new, actually most are images are imagers that accumulated in my archives waiting to be edited. I have re-processed them for these posts with the newly learned editing skills that I have been working on for years. I am a self learner.

I am not really inspired by anything at the moment, so this is one way I try to stay active. Winter can be beautiful, gloomy, watery, cold or depressing. My intention is that all the pictures would look good, no matter what the weather was the day I pressed the camera shutter button to capture a view or detail of winter. Images can be in color or black and white or both. I will keep it simple, one photo in the post and an other as a featured image.

Sweet little Tinka

animals, Black and White photos

My cat Tinka captured in black and white. She is so pretty!

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?”
– Charles Dickens

“There is something about the presence of a cat… that seems to take the bite out of being alone.” – Louis J. Camuti

Monochrome rocks

Black and White photos

The idea to make nature shots interesting in monochrome is a challenge as the colors many times are the thing that makes them pop, standout. In my mind, the idea of monochrome landscape is a the play of light and shadow – contrast.

Here are some attempts to to transfer beautiful seascapes and rocks into something interesting maybe or even moody 🙂 without the color.

Most of the photos are from California, only the last two are from Thailand

Portrait in Monochrome

Black and White photos, People, Photography

Something I noticed #14

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Interiors

A chair in a corner, just something….yes I noticed it several rooms.

taking a Selfie

Black and White photos, People

I am posting this for no other reason than I like this, I might have posted this before in color. This shot says so much about our culture nowadays. Post yourself in all photos, all in glamorous or nice places. I do not do that many selfies, but I do also like to look my best in them.

I also played with the light and contrast in this, how it sets the mood of the photo. I prefer the darker image myself

How to survive November 2020-30

Black and White photos

The lyrics of the by Doors “The End” came to mind as I was thinking of what to say in this last post to; How to Survive November 2020 So it’s time to – “lyödä hanskat tiskiin” (throw in the towel) strait translation- throw in the gloves 🧤 .

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend

The end
Of our elaborate plans
The end
Of everything that stands
The end
No safety or surprise
The end
I’ll never look into your eyes
Again

Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need of some stranger’s hand
In a desperate land

Then my next thought was , what if my next months theme would be 1. Trying to find Xmas spirit? or 2. Countdown to New Year 2021? as I am so desperately bad at finding titles for my posts. This way, I would only have to change the daily date as I’ve done the past month.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-29

Black and White photos, Travel

Two more post for this November, this has passed so quickly! Thank you all for making it that happen, the comments and company. I am really at loss trying to come up with an idea for today.

Candles, they work as a mood enhancer so well. Together with shells from our travels they take me to the warm and sandy beaches we have visited, so looking forward to travel again, hopefully sooner than later.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-28

Black and White photos, People

I have to admit, I have not written so much about me and my life before. I have just posted photos as i have assumed that no one is really interested in what I do, or mostly don’t do. I have thought my photos will speak for themselves. Now I am wondering what to do when November is over, should I return to me old ways or keep on writing this nonsense in the future too.

Yesterday I put on make-up after a long time, no one notices if I do or I don’t at home. I had an on-line interview yesterday, so I had made myself presentable. So I am going to be boring and post a photo of me with lots of editing in color and bnw and the original also to keep it real :-), as I have no other idea for today. so it’s a #selfie #over50 #makeup post.

Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-27

Black and White photos

Friday!! Yes, weekend !! As if it made a difference – not! The same continues with only one difference, I can serve myself some wine. I don’t drink during the week, so tonight I can enjoy couple glasses of wine and relax! Small joys of life.

I took this photo from our hallway – entry – foyer( I could not make up my mind as to which word to use, I wrote them all down) yesterday, but as I edited it today… I should have paid more attention to cleaning, as you can see cat hair on the lamp shade if you look closely. Apparently I didn’t , must be the dim light 🙂 as it is there for everyone to see.

One of the lamps on the side console tables is giving nice muted light to the space, on the wall is a rya (A Scandinavian knotted–pile woollen rug, used as bed-cover and tapestry) I did 30years ago. It nicely takes the eco away from the space.

Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-26

Black and White photos, People

Now we are at heart of November, even gray morning, dull would be the best word to describe it! Grays in different shades can be beautiful, but not this. Veikka is purring an keeping me company, laying on my desk, so soft and furry and content looking big cat. Boy, he sheds so much fur 🙂

Once again it 2 PM, to my surprise there is slight line of baby blue in the skyline. one thing to ne happy about in an otherwise BORING day. Now I have wo cats sitting on the desk and looking out of the window keeping me company.

I was so out of ideas that I could take photos of at home. So I took this reflection photo.

I took this photo of a Asian woman taking a selfie a year ago. I tried two different variations of black and white editing, by changing the contrasts and emphasis of lights, I feel there is a notable change of the mood in them. I myself prefer the darker version.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-25

Black and White photos

Sitting at breakfast reading news even if they are not that inspiring. I started thinking about todays picture. So I was admiring the flower on the table and as quickly as the thought came to my head, it was done. Took my mobile, took a photo, problem solved. Sometimes its easy as that, if you don’t over think it. Small everyday joys, flowers saved the day!

The old photo is from our trip to the California last year. We met these old hippies, that is their words at a scenic stop on the road. The van and they look photographic together so we exchanged few pleasantries and I aske if I could take a photo.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-24

Black and White photos

Time goes by so fast even if there is nothing happening, one week left of November. It has been so much better weather wise than I thought. So only 28 days until we are back to gaining light again. Something to look forward to.

I will try to continue my experiments in cooking, I have tried several new recipes lately. Healthy ones at that. That is something 🙂 using lots of olive oil, onions and garlic tp spice it up. I do like butter and cream in my cooking, but my Italian recipes are giving me nice options. Taking black and white food photography does not appeal to me, but this will do, a cook book.