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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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
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
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.
Veikka the cat
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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.
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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.
Foyer
Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.
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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.
Foyer
Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.
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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.
Reflections
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.
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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!
joulu ruusu
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.
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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.
Food photography – cool book
My Veikka cat has a beautiful tail and he is gorgeous big white cat-
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Maukka the dog is waiting for some treats at the table as we prepare to sit down for coffee. The look of yearning…I have one too, waiting for this to be over and start to live a the “new” normal life. so wishing this was over. I am sure not the only one with this one, maybe I should write to Santa?
Maukka The Dog
Keeping up with todays animal theme here is our backyard visitor snatching our rope from our old oak tree swing
.
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I sat next to this window all weekend, the window needs some fixing, but for photography purposes it was great. The cracked paint on the frame was art.
Stil life
Frozen flowers is one of my ideas to create a monotype, this did not happen, this weekend was just trying to learn the technique, and even that is not totally absorbed, don’t know if it is the right work for this, but hope you get the drift. Now I know at least what tools to bring to the next session also time for few ideas to “brew” in my mind.
These are my first attempts with this medium, not all that grand, but I will post them here so they will remain as a memory in my blog.
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Today started out sunny with the first snow fallen during the night. It is goin to melt, but it does give so much light. I am posting early as I am going to have a an artistic weekend. Today I am going to start doing finishing touches to some of my sculptures. During the week end I am learning a new skill – trying to do some monotype.
Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, or matrix, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together, usually using a printing-press. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then, using brushes or rags, removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque colour. The inks used may be oil based or water based. With oil based inks, the paper may be dry, in which case the image has more contrast, or the paper may be damp, in which case the image has a 10 percent greater range of tones.
Monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype; most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible, they differ greatly from the first print and are generally considered inferior. These prints from the original plate are called “ghost prints.” A print made by pressing a new print onto another surface, effectively making the print into a plate, is called a “cognate”. Stencils, watercolor, solvents, brushes, and other tools are often used to embellish a monotype print. Monotypes can be spontaneously executed and with no previous sketch.
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I have to say 19th, went by watching the rain and wind blowing outside. It was our first winter storm, I think. Totally blank about what to post. So, here something not so inspiring, like the day was.
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Stil life
Sunset at Key West
Traveling being banned at the moment, here is a photo of a pelican flying at sunset
Sleep is so precious thing and I have a problem with it, but his morning I slept late until 9 am, and the best part was the night before It did not take me hours to fall a sleep. the bliss for not having to wait and wait for it to come. So today I am in much better spirits and today we have blue skies again. The joy of that is great.
I had neglected my orchid, I had forgotten to water it, today I did and also got my camera ready. These are my todays shots.
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Today was a lazy day, I started this and did not finish. I ended up trying to come up with a Xmas Card Idea, yes, I still send actual cards. I also edited one photo of my grandson for today. I love the mood and the light in this photo even if I say so myself. I also did some digital art, this was one of them, you can see it below.
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Now it is a typical November, Monday morning. Even gray, dim light and slightly colder +4,5C, it has drizzled a bit as the ground is wet. One of those uninspiring days that you come across every now and then, though often in November.
Today started as it normally does, wake up, quick read of the news in bed, as I have no desire to get up. My hubby has already risen had his coffee and is working in his office, so I am in no hurry. But habit makes it hard to stay in bed too long. So up I get, have my coffee, read yesterdays news from the newspaper, alright there are some articles that are better read from the paper.
I am surprising myself as I decide to marinade our todays lunch at breakfast, Teriyaki chicken is on the menu today, with bell peppers, onion and zucchini with rise. So ambitious of me 🙂
Now I need to relax, so much done, as the the day is what it is. Yes, a warm, very warm bath will relax me!
So Now I need to figure out what is my photo of the day going to be, me in a bubble bath, Hmmn… Food photo, marinating chicken does not look that appealing in a photo. Rocks from the ocean will go wit the music I chose to bring to your attention. Do have a listen 🙂 (Sounds so British )
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Smooth rocks from the beach
I say this question in FB What is the best TV Theme song of all time? The first song that came to mind was The Onedin Line ( Merilinja) so I listened to this piece of music, it brought so many memories back
The other one I Love is, Myrskyluodon Maija, this one always brings tears to my eyes, it you have not heard this please listen, it is beautiful.
It’s two pm on a Sunday, and it seem that I am doing my post about the same time everyday. This November has been so much better than few of the resent ones, even today, there has been a glimpse of blue skies, it has not rained all that much either. So, not at all as gray of a month, that I was dreading. Such a small joy, I am very happy about this.
Went out to try find something to take photo of, macro photography, is great as you do not have to go far to find something lovely to capture. This time it was a brown hydrangea at the end of its life span. Still pretty.
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Silver and a pearl in color
Today I am not posting old comparison, but other takes of todays topic. I always have such had time choosing what is my favorite as there are different moods and things that make them stand out as choices. I ended up with the above because it turned out nicely as black and white.
It’s fifteen past two in the afternoon and the sky shows a hint of blue, such a joy. Here is a cup of glögi (glogg, mulled wine, vin chaud, gluhwein) to keep us warm this Saturday afternoon.
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Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 