Lens-Artists Challenge #419—Landmarks and Monuments

Captures from Finland, Cities, Photography

John’s theme is really not my thing, that is obvious as you read on – Monuments. Here is some information about iconic monuments in Helsinki. I haven’t taken any of these photos with the statue as the main subject: the National Memorial to the Winter War shot was to capture the lights of the LUX festival of lights one year, and I photographed poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg because of the seagull on his head. Now I’m sharing suggestions on what to see if you’re interested in monuments in Helsinki.

I’ve walked past the Three Smiths Statue (Kolmen sepän patsas) on Kolmensepänaukio in the heart of Helsinki; Felix Nylund’s three blacksmiths hammering on an anvil perfectly capture Finland’s cooperative and hardworking spirit, but I’ve only ever hurried past with my camera still in my bag. I did take a photo of a drummer in front of it, I have shared that with you before. When I really looked at photos of the area on my phone, I found a shot were it is, but it was not intentionally there.

I’ve also seen the Equestrian Statue of Marshal Mannerheim (Marsalkka Mannerheimin ratsastajapatsas) along Mannerheimintie countless times. This massive bronze monument by Aimo Tukiainen, honoring Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, is such a prominent part of the cityscape, yet I’ve never really paused to frame it thoughtfully through my lens. The Lantern Bearers (Lyhdynkantajat) at the entrance to the Helsinki Central Railway Station are another example; carved from Finnish granite by Emil Wikström in 1914, those four figures holding glowing globes greet me almost every time I pass the station, but I’ve somehow never taken the time to take a shot. I have several shots of the railway station, but not from the front. What is wrong with me?

In front of the Finnish National Theatre on Rautatientori, the Aleksis Kivi Memorial (Aleksis Kiven muistomerkki) by Wäinö Aaltonen has become such a familiar sight that I sometimes forget how significant it is, honoring Finland’s national author—yet I still don’t have a single carefully composed photograph of it. The same is true for Aaltonen’s Paavo Nurmi Statue, a classic bronze sculpture of the legendary Finnish Olympic runner and a powerful symbol of our sports history, which I’ve admired in passing but never photographed.

I’ve driven past the Sibelius Monument (Sibelius-monumentti) in Sibelius Park more times than I can count. This abstract metal sculpture by Eila Hiltunen, with its more than 600 welded hollow steel pipes and the separate bronze bust of Jean Sibelius, has always impressed me, yet I never really stopped to photograph it properly.

This may come as a surprise, but I actually took this shot of the National Memorial to the Winter War at Kasarmitori. It’s a contemporary memorial to the soldiers and citizens who defended Finland during the Winter War of 1939–1940, and I remember standing there quietly, reflecting on its meaning before finally deciding to turn that moment into a photograph. And I took it in during night time as it was nicely lit.

Lux2018 (122 of 128) — National Memorial to the Winter War

I’ve photographed this one from the side, but I’m counting it anyway: the statue of our national poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg. Sculptor was Walter Runeberg (the writer’s son). First revealed to the public: 1885. Located in Esplanadi Park, Helsinki. The pedestal carries the proud inscription “The Finnish people to the singer of our national anthem”, accompanied by an allegorical figure of the Finnish Maiden, watching over the park.

This statue’s really just in the frame to help shape the shot—what I’m actually looking here at the sunrise on my way to work several years back. The photo shows the famous Havis Amanda fountain, located next to the Market Square (Kauppatori) in downtown Helsinki. Affectionately known by locals as “Manta”, the statue is the absolute focal point of the city’s annual Vappu (May Day) celebrations, during which university students ceremonially wash the statue and crown it with a giant student cap. Sculpted by the prominent Finnish artist Ville Vallgren in Paris in 1906, it was unveiled at its current site in 1908. The central bronze figure depicts a nude sea nymph or mermaid rising from the water, which Vallgren designed to symbolize the rebirth and growth of Helsinki rising from the sea. The granite fountain base features four decorative sea lions spraying water.

It is the oldest public monument in Helsinki, erected in 1835. It stands directly by the waterfront at the Market Square, looking out towards the harbor where several passenger ferries and sightseeing waterbuses dock. It was designed by the famous architect Carl Ludvig Engel to commemorate Empress Alexandra Feodorovna’s (the wife of Tsar Nicholas I) first visit to the city. The monument consists of a red granite obelisk topped with a gilded bronze globe and a double-headed eagle, which was the symbol of imperial Russia.

The Stone of the Empress (*Keisarinnankivi*) located at the Market Square (*Kauppatori*) in Helsinki, Finland.

The images show Helsinki Cathedral and the Senate Square in front of it, as well as the the main statue statue of Emperor Alexander II, the Russian emperor who was also Grand Duke of Finland. He’s shown in the uniform of a Finnish Guards officer, right in the middle of giving a speech to the Diet of Finland back in 1863. The monument was put up in 1894 to thank him for the freedoms he brought to Finland—things like more cultural and political autonomy, raising the status of the Finnish language, and even introducing the Finnish markka as its own currency. The red granite base is one of my favorite parts: around it you’ll see four smaller figures that each stand for something important in society—Law (Lex, shown as the Maiden of Finland wearing a bearskin and with her lion), Work (Labor), Peace (Pax), and Light or Science (Lux).

What really struck me, knowing the history, is how this statue later became a quiet symbol of resistance. During the harsh Russification policies under Nicholas II from 1899 onward, people would gather here and lay wreaths and flowers at Alexander II’s feet to remind everyone of the more liberal reforms his grandfather had brought to Finland.

I’ve chosen six site’s in Helsinki that show some of our statues. Now it’s your turn — Be sure to link to to Johns post in the the comments section and tag your entry with “Lens-Artists” so we can find it.

Last week, Tina’s challenge had many of us wandering down memory lane together. Next week it’s Sofia’s turn to lead us on, and you can follow along here so you don’t miss her challenge when it goes live on Saturday, October 31, at noon Eastern Time.

Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset

You can keep up with all of our challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Beth, Ritva.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Silent Sunday

Captures from Finland

Morning at Mettänen 19-10-26-10 — Birch tree shimmers in yellows and a frost-kissed meadow

Morning at Mettänen 19-10-26-18 — Soft morning light filters through misty woodland trees, illuminating a frost-kissed meadow.

Field path mirrors the fading sky

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography, Photography

The track had turned to mud by late October, curving away between the last of the fields and the first dark ranks of forest. At her feet a broad puddle held the world upside down, catching the bare birch branches and the textured gray-blue sky in a trembling mirror. Ahead, the low sun poured a warm, golden light over the rough grasses and the few stubborn leaves still clinging to the trees, setting the pale trunks aglow against the cool, gathering clouds. Birches rose in pale columns beside the brooding pines, their layered silhouettes closing in as the path slipped deeper into the woods, and the quiet air seemed to thicken with a hushed, cinematic stillness, as if the scene itself were pausing for breath before whatever might come next.

Mettänen 18-10-26-36 — A muddy forest path reflects the autumn trees and dramatic clouds in a puddle glowing with golden light.

Debbies Six Word Saturday

Golden Half-Moon at Dusk

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

I took these half-moon shots when I stepped out behind our house. The moon was nice and low, so I was able to capture these images of the October half-moon just before sunset. A golden half-moon rises above a quiet forest and meadow beneath a glowing twilight sky. I adjusted them slightly by changing the lighting point and framing, and the closer I framed, the more the story changed—the locations shifted within the narrative of the image.

Dusk at Mettänen 19-10-26-5 — A golden half moon rises above a quiet forest and meadow beneath a glowing twilight sky.

Dusk at Mettänen 19-10-26-3 — A serene forest meadow glows beneath a warm evening sky, with the half moon rising above the pine trees.

Dusk at Mettänen 19-10-26-8 — A glowing half moon rises above a shadowy pine forest and quiet meadow at dusk.

Dusk at Mettänen 19-10-26-10 — A golden half moon rises above a dark pine forest beneath a softly glowing pink evening sky. How framing can change the narrative of the image.

Poem By Christina Rossetti

The Half Moon

The half moon shows a face of plaintive sweetness
Ready and poised to wax or wane;
A fire of pale desire in incompleteness,
Tending to pleasure or to pain:–
Lo, while we gaze she rolleth on in fleetness
To perfect loss or perfect gain.

Half bitterness we know, we know half sweetness;
This world is all on wax, on wane:
When shall completeness round time’s incompleteness,
Fulfilling joy, fulfilling pain?–
Lo, while we ask, life rolleth on in fleetness
To finished loss or finished gain.

Cozy Basement Cafés Framed by Beautiful Old Windows

Captures from Finland

Basement window at Hvitträsk — a warmly lit stone interior with an arched window,

In the first image, I enjoyed the view to a warmly lit stone interior with an arched window, rustic leather seating, and potted dried grasses that soften the space with their earthy tones. The light filters gently through the window, casting a warm glow on the rough stone walls and making the whole corner feel intimate and inviting, like a quiet hideaway tucked below street level.

In the other image, I wanted to capture the rustic dining nook dressed in soft blue table linens, with simple candleholders set along the table. Beyond the vintage windows, a sunlit forest opens up, with trees catching the light and creating a peaceful backdrop. Both images are from basement cafés, and together they capture the cozy, sheltered feeling of being below ground while still staying connected to the world outside through those beautiful old windows.

window to coffee house - 214 — The rustic dining nook

For Ludwig’s Monday Window, hosted this week by PR

Morning Light and First Frost

Captures from Finland, Flowers, iPhone photography

Macro Monday – first frost photography of the year. The delicate frost crystals transform even the simplest plants into something very festive, highlighting every edge and texture and catching the soft, cold morning light.

The first two images show the green leaves of lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), their surfaces covered with delicate frost and sharp ice crystals that trace the edges and veins of each leaf. The crystals catch the light and give the leaves a subtle, shimmering texture that emphasizes their soft, rounded shapes. The third image focuses on sunlit grass and a Wood Cranesbill leaf, where the low, warm sunlight filters through the blades and leaf surface, revealing fine details, gentle color shifts, and the contrast between lingering moisture and the first signs of frost.

Morning at Mettänen 18-10-26-17 — A delicate layer of frost crystals blankets green leaves, grass, and fallen autumn foliage.

Morning at Mettänen 18-10-26-15 — Sunlit frost crystals shimmer across a patch of wild green leaves and grass.

Morning at Mettänen 18-10-26-7 — Sunlit grass and Wood Cranesbill leaf sparkle under a delicate layer of frost.

Mettänen Weekend: Misty Roads, First Frost and Starry Skies

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

For John’s CellPic Sunday I am posting photos from this weekend. We have had weather from rain to drizzle, to partly sunny moments, to morning frost. It should not be a surprise where these are taken; we named this place Mettänen (it means wooded) 31 years ago. Back then it had lots of trees on it, but it is a relatively small lot of land. Nowadays it has become much less wooded, but the name still describes it rather well. As you know if you have been reading my posts regularly, my grievance has been the tree we had to cut down; after this weekend only two big stumps from our birch trees remain. The branches went up in the smoke in the air someone was very busy.

The water puddles in the road gave really nice reflections, the morning mist and smoke added a nice touch to the scene, at least I thought so.

We did wake later this morning—it is Sunday—so most of the frost had begun to thaw, but there were still some to be found around ten in the morning. There is no escaping it, winter is coming in slow steps.

At Mettänen we had a really wonderful night sky last night, and I once again tested my iPhone’s capability to capture the stars. I am amazed by what it can do—the sky was so clear, the stars were sharp and bright, and the whole scene felt almost magical. The October night sky in all it’s glory.

Rare Full-Circle Rainbow Over a Lakeside Dock

Captures from Finland

I remember standing by the lakeside, watching this quiet scene unfold: a weathered wooden dock stretching gently across rippling pale-blue water, beneath a dark, textured sky that seemed to invite a moment of stillness. Along the dock, I noticed a tall lamp post, a red life preserver, mooring poles, a coiled metal ladder, and even a small broom-like object near the edge—subtle signs that people had recently passed through, though the place felt utterly calm. Then my eyes were drawn to a vivid, rainbow-like arc of refracted light glowing above the water near the center, an ethereal focal point that brought a soft sense of hope into the muted, vintage-toned scene, with the dock quietly grounding everything in reality.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — I was so happy to capture these round rainbows, never before or after seen similar

The image shows a full-circle rainbow, captured over a pier and a lakeside landscape during rainfall, something I had never seen before and have never seen again, a rare view that many people never get to witness. Rainbows are, by their optical nature, always perfect circles, a quiet reminder to me that even when we only see a part of something, there is often more wholeness than meets the eye. From the ground, we usually don’t see this phenomenon in its entirety, because the ground and the horizon hide the lower part, making the rainbow appear only as an arc. In this moment, however, a full circle formed thanks to raindrops that were exceptionally close to where I was standing, allowing me a more complete glimpse of this gentle natural wonder.

Why I saw this was the low October sunlight shines directly from behind me and there is a very dense rainfall right between me and the pier, the light has time to refract and reflect back also from the raindrops lower in the air before they hit the ground or the water. In this case, the entire 360-degree circle becomes visible in front of the photographer.

When Autumn Fades to Brown: Scenes From Southern Finland

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

Autumn here seems to be slowly coming to an end—at least the bright, colorful part of it. Most of the leaves have already fallen, and many of those still left are turning a deep, quiet brown. Brown may be a more understated shade, but it is a color in its own right, and this season it feels almost unexpectedly fashionable—at least if you follow the fashion. And Tinka almost camouflages into the leaves.

We are as surprised as you, I’m sure. Our summer house yard, which used to be so pretty, is now just a memory. It looks sad and miserable – the tree stumps were pulled up by an excavator, and the small patch of grass and bilberry shrubs is gone. You can see where they ended up, right next to the branches that we need to make disappear…

I took a short walk around the lot to find some color for you on this cloudy day, but at least it’s not raining. I was even brave enough to venture out to the road leading to our neighbor’s house to get a few other views as well. So, fresh from my iPhone, this is what my autumn looks like today here in southern Finland. When you frame it nicely, it really doesn’t look too bad at all.

It is now 4pm and we now got the first sign of sunshine, don’t know how long it’s going to last so I am stepping outside for a moment, it makes such a difference. it only lasted for half a hour. Well anyways, this is linked to Dawn’s festival of leaves

Moody Lakeside Landscapes in Monochrome: Rain, Fog and Trees

Captures from Finland, Nature

For this first image, I did not need to make any edits; nature offered a monochrome view of a misty woodland lake, seen through a dense frame of tree trunks, tangled branches, pine needles, and dark green leaves. Water droplets on the camera lens create soft, translucent blurs across the image, while the pale gray sky and fog-muted water give the scene a quiet, atmospheric mood. The subdued palette of mossy greens, brown-black branches, and silvery white highlights emphasizes the rainy autumn setting.

Participating in in Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Kumian mylly-42 — A tranquil misty lake shimmers through a frame of moss-covered trees and leafy branches.

Kumian mylly-39 — it started to rain, I am remaining in the car,

Kumian mylly sunset — There was a rainless moment of this to capture this moody lakeside scene framed by leafy branches, reeds, and weathered shoreline rocks beneath a cloudy sky

Golden sunlight

Captures from Finland

Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves that rustle softly underfoot, their reds, ambers, and golds glowing gently in the quiet, cool air. This is such a joy to have experienced, way back. I edited an old photo that glows because it has been dull, gray, and rainy all day.

Golden autumn woodland illuminated by sunlight — Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves.

October sky

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography, Photography

I am impressed with the contrast of the dark sky and the bright light and the trees and colors of the leaves 🍂 🍁 and I only had to open the front door to see it🌥️

And looking at the steps leading to the parking lot

Still some leaves 🍂🍂🍃🍁left birch and maple trees

October Night Sky

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

I thought I would share this photo. These dark October nights have had me looking at the stars everytime I go to the outhouse.if it’s not raining. The stars are not really visible in my shot, but I started do some research for this and what stars are showing at the moment in our sky. I do hope the facts are mostly correct. If not just take it as a tale of stars.

Oct 10, 2026-5 — A view from the shed corner to an early-evening night sky in early October,

• The Summer Triangle: The triangle, which shone high in the early evening, has clearly shifted toward the west and northwest. Of its stars, Vega in Lyra and Deneb in Cygnus appear bright on the western and northwestern horizon. The third star of the triangle, Altair in Aquila, is already lower in the southwest.
• Cygnus (The Swan): This large “Northern Cross” spreads out spectacularly across the western sky before sinking lower.
• Hercules: Below Cygnus and Lyra, closer to the northwestern horizon, the constellation of Hercules is visible.

Otava has always fascinated me. I first learned that it is a ladle-shaped asterism formed by the seven most visible stars of the Ursa Major constellation, and I remember trying to trace that shape in the sky with my own eyes. As I read more, I began to understand why, for northern peoples, Otava was one of the most important, if not the most important, constellations in the sky. When I came across the fact that ancient Greek astronomy later became the basis for an international, advanced astronomical standard, it made sense that Otava eventually came to be regarded merely as an asterism that is part of Ursa Major. Still, I was struck by how many peoples have held on to the special status of Otava in their language and culture. I was especially drawn to what this star pattern means to Finns. They named it after an open fish weir called “otava,” and I started to see how deeply it is woven into Finnish tradition. Otava (“otavainen”) is also mentioned in Kalevala and Kanteletar. In the Kalevala, a wife is urged to go out into the yard to “learn from Otava” so that she would better understand the passage of time. That image stayed with me, as if the sky itself were a kind of slow, patient teacher. I learned that other names for the stars include the Seven-Starred and the Stars of Hope, and I loved the idea that Lemminkäinen sent bees between the stars to fetch a remedy for his healing salve.

As I kept digging, I realized that this same familiar pattern appears under many different names around the world, each revealing how people have related to the night sky. Names used by other peoples for the Big Dipper include: people of northern England: Butcher’s Cleaver; the Irish: Starry Plough; the British and Irish: Plough, Charles’ Wain (an older form: Carlswæn); the Scandinavians: Karlavagnen, Karlsvogna or Karlsvognen (Charles’s Wain; Karl = churl = man); the Germans: Großer Wagen (the Great Wagon); the Slavs: Great Wagon; the Russians: Ladle; the Americans: Big Dipper (the great ladle); the French: Chariot (the chariot), Casserole (the cooking pot). The more I learned these names, the more I felt that, by following Otava across the sky, I was quietly tracing a shared human story written in stars.

For Johns CellPic Sunday

The Roads Beneath Dramatic Autumn Skies

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

We have had the opportunity to be on the road, these roads, many times, and there is not much to notice by the roads that is new. Clouds are always interesting to watch, how they change ever so quickly, how they are different when you look in different directions, be it east, south, west, or north. The sky can be blue on one side of the car and full of dark clouds when looking on the other side. Rain is another thing that makes the journey more interesting. A few days ago on our way home I had to take these photos I was impressed with these clouds.

Photos captured showcase a forested highway, a Finnish farm landscape, and a scenic autumn route, all under striking cloud patterns.

image_ffc8c528-6bae-4df4-b2f1-b0caeecbae17 — Driving in a forested highway beneath dramatic autumn clouds and patches of blue sky.

Finnish farm buildings beneath autumn skies — A peaceful Finnish farm landscape with red barns, autumn trees, and dramatic clouds beneath a wide blue sky.

Autumn highway beneath dramatic storm clouds — A scenic autumn highway winds through colorful forest beneath dramatic storm clouds and a break of blue sky.

This post is for Six Word Saturday

I’ve really enjoyed taking part in this Saturday photography challenge over the past years—thank you, Debbie, for hosting it! 10 Years is a long time.

Golden October Dusk by the Sea

Captures from Finland

Dusk comes early now, and October is finally showing its real mood. A low golden light shines through the bare trees by the quiet sea, and the water reflects a thin path of light on its small waves. A small floating winter swimming hut rocks gently in place, waiting for the first thin ice to form and for the brave swimmers who will arrive with their steaming breath and quick, sharp laughter. The air is cool and smells faintly of salt and wet wood, and I can feel the early darkness settling in as everything prepares for the slow change of season. The bare trees stand out dark against the sky, perfect for silhouette photos, and when I am lucky enough to catch a soft Nordic sunset behind them, it feels as if the whole shoreline pauses for a moment while I take the shot.

Seaside sunset viewed through bare trees — Golden sunlight filters through bare trees beside a tranquil sea illuminating the rippling water and a small floating winter swimming hole hut waiting for the ice and swimmer’s

Seaside woodland at golden hour — Bare trees stand in silhouette against a glowing sunset over a calm sea

Clear Views of Ateneum Museum Windows and Doors

Captures from Finland, Interiors, iPhone photography, Photography

The Ateneum Museum in Helsinki, designed by architect Theodor Höijer in the Neo-Renaissance style and completed in 1887, originally served both art education and museum functions. Tall arched frames, ornate moldings, and weathered details reveal the building’s 19th-century character, while sculptural decoration adorns the façade between the upper-floor windows. These architectural elements create striking lines of light, shadow, and reflection for the camera, though the building also contains some more modern windows that mark later periods of use and renovation.

Photograph no. 26000 24 October 1991 Jouko Könönen / Central Art Archives title of the work: Ateneum building façade photographs

Ateneum is the most visited museum in Helsinki, I have shared photos from it before, but it does not hurt to share some of them again. The exterior shot is not mine, I’ve given credit were due,

Dans Thursday Doors

Wordless Stories: Village Dreams in a Cluster of Mushrooms

Captures from Finland, Nature

It’s Thursday, but I am still silent as it is Wednesday. What a relief; sometimes it’s hard to say something when it’s a pretty image—oh well, I did end up saying something. Oh, one more thing: my imagination started to roam; I made up a village life under these roofs, and one house even has a skylight.

A cluster of delicate woodland mushrooms rises from lush moss beneath a young evergreen tree.

Autumn Mist Over the Meadow

Captures from Finland, Short Stories and Poems

Misty meadow of tall grasses at sunrise, with trees beneath a pastel sky — A misty meadow glows beneath a softly colored morning sky, with wild grasses stretching toward a tree-lined horizon.

Misty meadow, barely waking, Tall grasses breathe in ribbons of gold, cool air combs their seed-soft crowns. Fog drifts low, a quiet tide, folding the tree line into its pale pocket of green and embered amber. Morning light loosens from a pastel sky, rose and lavender sifting down— the whole field scented with leaf-soft autumn, with the hush of a season turning so gently you can almost miss it.

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

For this week’s Monday Window, I have just one photo. It is of our builder putting up the first wall frame as I looked at him working through the window.

A Yard Full of Logs and One Very Busy Husband

Captures from Finland

These piles of logs are keeping my husband busy. The only problem is that we’re still trying to figure out where to store all of them, along with two similar piles stacked behind the house.

Unexpected moment of light-9-2 — Freshly split firewood fills a forest cottage yard beneath tall pines and colorful autumn trees.

Unexpected moment of light-10 — Freshly split firewood piles beside a wheelbarrow in a peaceful autumn woodland yard

Hat of to a One Very Busy Husband

For John’s CellPic Sunday

Quiet Autumn Beauty

Captures from Finland, Nature, Photography

Finding these little gems of color and detail is a joy, and there’s no need to go any farther than the front door—just step outside, wander through the yard, and let your eyes linger on the quiet corners where beauty has been hiding all along. I think this is a buckthorn leaf, whatever it is the colors are lovely,

A vibrant autumn leaf shifts from golden yellow to warm crimson against a softly blurred green background.

A vibrant autumn leaf hangs among green foliage, glowing against a softly blurred woodland background.

Sunlit green and autumn leaves glow with warm golden color in a softly blurred natural setting. I like the shadow that falls on the green leaf.

For Dawn’s Festival of Leaves Week 1

Hiding the Yard Chaos, Keeping the Autumn Glow

Captures from Finland

Yesterday, October first, was a lovely day here, where I spent most of my time outside. Sunny, blue skies and warm air wrapped around me as I sat on the patio and looked at the maple tree behind our barbecue, glowing in rich yellow. The leaves almost seemed to shimmer in the light, and I felt the need to go and take a photo.

Lately, I’ve been spending more time looking in that direction, as our yard is a total mess with all the log piles and construction going on. It’s a bit chaotic, so my eyes keep drifting toward the one calm, beautiful corner. Once again I got off the topic, rambling on, but that’s how my thoughts wander when I’m out there.

I took several directions to see which angle would be more favorable, moving a little closer, then stepping back to see how the light hit the leaves from different sides. Then I took a short stroll to find other spots of color in my yard, framing each scene so that the mess stayed invisible and only the quiet, bright parts showed through.

Oct 1st, 2026-5 — Golden autumn leaves glow among birch and evergreen trees beside a rustic log shed.

ROWAN TREE — Golden autumn rowan tree leaves glow in the sunlight against field and a lush woodland backdrop.

Autumn Woodland Retreat Preserving Rural Heritage — An old log cabin with a bright roof emerges through birch trees and autumn foliage of ferns.

Fashion Mannequin in Helsinki: 1 Photo, 3 Artistic Versions

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography

I took this photo of a fashion mannequin in a Louis Vuitton window display that celebrated 130 years of monogram design in Helsinki. This is not a new photo, but I thought it would work well in different edits. The image includes city reflections and artistic elements such as a red sculptural hotel boy. I did three versions of it: first is B&W with spots of color, photography style, an expressionist, and watercolor illustrations. One more thing, I enjoyed playing with this image.

A fashion mannequin stands in a Louis Vuitton-inspired window display celebrating 130 years of monogram design, framed city reflections.

Helsinki walk January 2026-39 – kopio — A fashion mannequin stands in a Louis Vuitton-inspired window display, framed and city reflections. Using black and white edit with some chosen color effects

One-to-three Photo Processing Challenge hosted by The Squirrel Chase

The Medieval Church of Lammi and Its Rich History

Captures from Finland

Churches are always a treat to photograph – old ones are more interesting to me. This is the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510.

heinäkuu (146 of 371) — the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510.

heinäkuu (178 of 371) — A historic the medieval church of Lammi : a stone-and-brick church with an ornate arched entrance, round window, and steep tiled roof under a clear blue sky.

Here is so information to those who are interested.

According to current research, the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510. The church is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a learned virgin martyr who died in the year 307. Before this church, there were two older churches in Lammi, possibly built of wood.

Christianity has probably been known in Lammi already since the 11th century. This view is based on a burial find from the Honkaliini cemetery in Lammi. The first records of the church of Lammi date from the 1420s, and the Lammi administrative parish is mentioned as early as 1374. According to the history of the parish of Lammi, both of these references are based on the research of Väinö Voionmaa. It is likely that the ecclesiastical parish is just as old as Lammi as an administrative parish. The area of the ecclesiastical parish of Lammi was roughly the same as that of the administrative parish, and the parish boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. The only change has been that Koski HL (now Hämeenkoski), which from the Middle Ages onwards belonged to the parish of Lammi as a chapel congregation, became independent in 1870.

Until 1918 the church had a wooden interior, which was largely destroyed by fire during the Finnish Civil War on 29 April 1918, leaving only the grey stone walls and destroying the 1692 pulpit, part of the archives, the belfry and its medieval bell. The subsequent reconstruction of the church and belfry was designed by architect Usko Nyström, the wall and ceiling paintings were created by artist Bruno Tuukkanen with assistants B. Liukko and J. Grönvall, and the altar crucifix, pulpit sculptures of the evangelists, seven-branched candlesticks and triptych were carved by Austrian-born Ateneum sculpture teacher Johan Friedl.

The large altar table, the altar rail and the pulpit were made in Lammi at Nyberg’s carpentry workshop. The pews were also carved in Lammi. The blue wooden ornamental decoration at the east end of the altar and the hymn board in the chancel were carved by the Lammi artist Taimi Nyberg. The originally wooden belfry was rebuilt so that its lower part is now built of stone. The new bells were obtained from the military church in Papula, Viipuri. The post-fire restoration of the church was completed by Midsummer 1920.

Sharing this post with Thursday Doors

Woodland Macros and Water Ripples: September’s Last on the Card

Captures from Finland

Lately I have only used my IPhone and old Sony camera with the macro lens – I have not purchased one for my new camera.

I started out with my Sony and took a bunch of shots for Anne’s LAPC, “Move Yourself.” Since my macro lens doesn’t zoom, I was literally walking around, hunting for something interesting. I was drawn to this mix of brown fallen leaves, moss, and bright green wood sorrel. Wood sorrel has these delicate, three-lobed, heart-shaped leaves that look a bit like clover, only slimmer, and they often fold downward when it’s dark or rainy. I found these tiny plants in the woods, happily growing in shady, damp patches among the moss and fallen leaves.

sysksy sävelet-82 — Rain-speckled wood sorrel leaves and vibrant moss create a lush woodland scene among autumn leaves.

This was me having fun, I was looking at the water in a water barrel, the ripples on it as I slightly pushed it and as a occasional drop of water landing on it. I caught this expression 🙄.

A blue barrel of water creates a mesmerizing abstract reflection of the sky, trees, and photographer, me, now you know what I look like.

Sharing with Brian’s Last on the Card, it is unbelievable that one month has already passed. It does seem to be true to older you get the quicker time goes by