This contains photographs of my home country, places dear to me. That I proudly share.
For Cellpic Sunday I am thinking of nourishment – food. So, I’m keeping it simple this week.
The first photo is Eromanga cafe situated in Helsinki.
Lunch at Bisto O’Mat in Hakaniemi, Helsinki. The patio had nice views over the city.
This last image is AI generated, the first two mine taken by my mobile of the same situation. Capturing the Storm’s Symphony: Driving Through Heavy Rain on the motorway.
The raindrops furiously pounded against the windshield, blurring the lights of the cars ahead. The sound of the rain on the roof resonated throughout the car, creating a somber symphony. As the wipers rhythmically swept back and forth, I marveled at the storm’s raw power, appreciating the shelter and security of the car. The AI-generated image, although striking, couldn’t capture the sensory experience of being enveloped by the torrential downpour while cocooned in a metal shell.
One Word Sunday – TRANSPORT
I spent some time in Helsinki and looked it with the eyes of a tourist. You rarely take photos of your own cities and towns that you frequently visit. Well last week I did, as I already posted we went to see Nick Cave and I took these on my way from the parking garage to the music hall and actually looked at the buildings, not just walked past them. Something we often do in familiar places, this goes to landscape and scenery too. I noticed a fare amount of door and windows, what a revelation to find them in the city 🙂
Kansalaistori is a new square and lawn area in the heart of the city located between the Music Centre and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma along Mannerheimintie in Helsinki. On the other side of there square there is the Central library Oodi. The square is partially paved and in the summertime popular especially among skateboarders. . Kansalaistori serves also as a venue for various events.
Kiasma from the back. All the photos in the galleries can be enlarged by a click.
Kiasma is a museum of contemporary art under the umbrella of the Finnish National Gallery. The primary focus in the museum collection is on Finnish contemporary art. Kiasma was designed by the American architect Steven Holl and opened to the public in 1998. At Kiasma there’s also a museum shop and café. These are all taken from the backside of the building.
Sanoma House with its glass facade is situated in Finlandia Park, a cultural oasis in the heart of Helsinki, north of the Helsinki railway station, beside the Museum of Contemporary Art-Kiasma, the Central library Oodi and the Music Centre. The first and second floors mainly consist of covered public space.
Finland’s 200-seat parliament gathers in this impressive building representing 1920s Classicism. The facade of the building is made of red granite from Kalvola. The main facade includes 14 Corinthian columns. It is across the road from the kansalaistori.
Musiikkitalo is an acoustically first-class concert hall as well as other facilities providing a wide range of musical experiences for people of all ages and a place to study music. The residents of Musiikkitalo are Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki. These are also taken from the back of the Music Hall
This a photo of Oodi, I’ve taken at spring, for some reason I did not take on this time, but as it is in the square I’ll add it here.
For Dan’s Thursday Doors
Months pass so quickly. Already July. I had my grandkids visiting us for ten days. On the last day the the youngest enjoyed this sitting hammock and he was so cute I had to take a several shots this was one of them.
I took this with my iPhone 14 Pro
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This one is from my Olympus taken on the June 19th. I think I have not shared this one yet of the strawberry moon.
These Oak leaves photo is taken with my old, Sony camera with a macro lens on June 12th
For Brian’s Last on the Card – June 2024
I have to admit that lately I have been a lazy photographer, and most of the time I’ve taken photos with my mobile. I have two previous posts about the beauty of summer nights and these were taken the same night. I took these first, then went to get my camera to take better shots of the moon. The iPhone has a great camera, with a RAW option, and you can get great photos with it; even the zoom is okay. But you can also edit and crop the images as a way of enhancing it.
It’s amazing how much the technology in smartphones has advanced, allowing us to capture stunning images without the need for additional equipment. The convenience of having a powerful camera always at hand has certainly made me rely more on my mobile for photography. Despite its compact size, the iPhone truly delivers remarkable image quality, especially in low light conditions. The ability to edit and refine the pictures directly on the device further adds to the appeal of mobile photography, providing a convenient way to enhance the visual impact of the captured moments.
The color of the sky, clouds and mist set such a beautiful view, that I only slightly edited the contrast and light in Lightroom app – nature did the rest.
Whispers of Birch
Birch trees stand sentinel, white and tall, Their leaves a verdant canopy, a gentle sprawl. Mist weaves through their trunks, a spectral dance, As dusk paints the sky in hues of chance.
The evening cradles them in twilight’s hark. Silhouettes against the canvas of fading light, They sway, entwined, in nature’s quiet rite. And there, where fog and foliage converge, A sacred silence settles—a tranquil surge.
So let us linger here, beneath their boughs, Where time suspends, and dreams are allowed. In this ethereal embrace, we find our place, As birch and fog weave magic, leaving no trace.
Star(s) for One word Sunday
Two stunt bikers from the death row group Diorios at one point there was five of them in the cage.
I took these of the strawberry moon, but only now got around to posting them, I shared some taken with my mobile on Instagram, but these I took with my camera.
I was already in bed, all comfortable and ready to go to sleep, when my husband repeatedly said the mist is rising, the mist is even heavier, meaning get up, grab your camera, and take photos. Good on him or I would have missed some lovely midsummer moments.
It was such a serendipitous moment, being snug in bed and then being urged to capture such an ethereal sight. The mist rolling in created an otherworldly ambiance, and combined with the presence of the strawberry moon, it resulted in a truly mesmerizing spectacle.
It’s moments like these that etch memories for a lifetime, and I’m grateful for the nudge that led to these stunning captures.
Were you able to capture or see the strawberry moon in June? The strawberry moon, also known as the June full moon, is a beautiful sight that occurs when the moon is at its fullest and appears with a warm, reddish glow. This phenomenon takes place in the month of June, marking the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. People often gather to witness this remarkable celestial event, and many photographers aim to capture its stunning beauty through their camera lenses. The strawberry moon has cultural significance in various traditions and is a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists around the world. So, did you have the chance to admire this enchanting spectacle?
A serene Finnish lakeside, the air thick with warmth and the scent of pine. As the sun dips below the horizon, a soft mist rises from the water, cloaking the landscape in mystery. The birch trees stand like silent sentinels, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The sky, painted in hues of lavender and dusky pink, seems to hold its breath, waiting for the stars to emerge.
In these misty summer nights, time loses its grip. The world becomes a dreamscape, where reality and imagination intertwine. The distant call of a loon echoes across the water,. The wooden sauna, perched at the edge of the shore, emits a comforting warmth, inviting late-night conversations and laughter you can hear carrying across the water.
As darkness settles in, the mist thickens, blurring the boundaries between land and water. The moon, casts its glow upon the ripples, creating a shimmering path that leads to infinity. Perhaps it’s the magic of these nights that makes lovers embrace each other, stealing a kiss under the veil of mist. Or maybe it’s the promise of endless possibilities—the feeling that anything could happen in this enchanted realm.
In Finland’s misty warm summer nights, reality fades, and enchantment takes hold. It’s a time when the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the heart opens to the beauty of the ephemeral are you by the lake or next to the fields
Mist rises like a delicate veil, weaving through the grasses and clover. It’s as if the earth exhales, releasing whispers of relief of the warm day.
The trees, their branches etched against the fading light, stand sentinel. Each leaf catches a droplet of mist, turning it into a tiny gem. The air is cool, yet infused with warmth—the remnants of a sun that lingers in memory. Birds settle on fence posts, their calls softened by the mist, creating a symphony of hidden melodies.
As the last rays slip away, the mist thickens, blurring the boundaries between earth and sky.
From the corner of the house I saw the windows of these rescue vehicle windows
Nothing grand, just few doors and windows Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors
Last photo on my mobile tLast on the card May
This barn is across from the clubhouse that burned down, the Rockabilly festival is still on, but if they are able to pull it together is a big if, it was supposed to be held there.
Dan’s Thursday Doors 2024/5/30 andLudwigs Monday Window
For Cee´s Flower of the Day.
For Debbie´s Six Words Saturday
John’s Cellpic Sunday
Today, our local youth clubhouse at our summer home village burned down. Nothing left, fortunately no lives were lost.
Founded in 1695, the iron mill village has retained its unique atmosphere throughout the years. The people in the centuries-old environment continue to live in harmony with the old traditions by following in the footsteps of the local artisans, among other things. The lovely village offers unique atmosphere and past and also a wide variety of things to see and do.
Located in Southeast Finland the village of Ruotsinpyhtää in Loviisa, Strömfors Ironworks is one of the best preserved ironworks communities in Finland. The charming milieu offers an unforgettable glimpse into the rich history of the area. The iron lady Virginia af Forselles developed the village for 30 years with a modern touch and a firm hand. In addition to the ironworks, sawmill and mill, the area also featured a brewery along with a distillery, a tavern and a brick factory.
Joining Dans Thursday Doors
I love these charming red and white buildings and the location is so pretty. As always the images in the gallery can be enlarged by a click 🙂
Ludwigs Monday Window
Spent few moments in Töölö, Helsinki looking for Windows on a Friday evening. I was able take these without cars. There is one shot I took, just to show movement on the road, it is usually a very busy road. Not on a Friday evening with summer temperatures 😊
This week I will post this as Monday window and building that might we in need of a bit refurbishment. But i looks Ok in a photograph even if not in mint condition.
Becky’s Squares photo challenge has me mostly documenting the arrival of spring, but not today 🙂
This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea
When it comes to urban development, it’s a constant process in bustling cities. The skyline is often filled with cranes as new structures rise and old ones undergo renovations. It’s an ever-changing landscape, and the presence of construction cranes has almost become a symbol of progress and transformation. Even though the specific view may have changed over the years, the sight of cranes shaping the city’s skyline remains a familiar one. Helsinki reflects the continuous evolution and growth of the city, offering a blend of modernity and history for all of us to experience.
cranes
We drove to our summer house to start the season and stopped at Kumia mylly to see how high the water level was this spring- and it was high
Cellpic Sunday
These two shot are taken with my IPhone, the old newspaper clips can be seen on my patio table, the wood planks are from 1914. I have showed similar shots before, but I return them every now and then.
this carnation was the last on my Sony – shot with a macro lens 2.8/50
This is the last shot with my Olympus with 14-150mm lens of April moon
For Bushboy´s Last on the Card April.
I really like how the old grass works it magic in photos, creating this wave effect, also the small camera movement might have something to do with it. There’s a certain timeless charm in the interplay of natural elements and photographic techniques, as they come together to produce an image that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Scola is Källnäsudd’s old village school in Barösund, that has a new life as a lovely archipelago restaurant. Usually, once a summer we drive and take the ferry to the island to enjoy a lovely lunch on the patio overlooking the strait.
For Monday Window
As I stepped through the open white gates, the gentle rustle of leaves greeted me like a whispered invitation from nature itself. The path ahead, wound invitingly into the embrace of the forest. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows that danced beneath my feet. With each breath, I inhaled the earthy scent of damp moss and fresh pine that filled the air, feeling a sense of peace as I ventured further into this verdant sanctuary.
The gates, their paint weathered by seasons, stood as sentinels between the mundane world and the enchantment beyond.
As I walked, the forest enveloped me. Tall trees stretched their limbs toward the sky, their leaves forming a mosaic of green and gold. Birds flitted overhead, their songs weaving a delicate tapestry of sound. I followed the path deeper, each step revealed something new: a gnarled tree with roots that seemed to reach into the very heart of the earth. The forest remained still. I felt changed. The air tasted sweeter, the colors more vivid.
As I retraced my steps, I vowed to return. For this forest held more than beauty; it held magic. And so, with the rustle of leaves as my companion, I walked back through the gates, carrying with me the memory of a place where reality and enchantment intertwined.
Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge
I’ve had a very busy week, with hosting Lens-Artists challenge. I have received so many responses and going thru with thought and time , well takes time. Hosting has opened a new door to discover new blogs and opened doors for new views and ideas. This week I’ve had some health issues or should I say pain issues with my hands, that kept me a bit immobilized for few days that has delayed the responses a bit.
I also had a job interview for a new position, it went well… That leads me today’s topic. An opening door to new opportunities 🙂
All the above have nothing to do with Dan’s Thursday Doors. This door post has no connection to the situation mentioned, but a wish to open the door to spring and summer.
Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors
I’m so mad, this weather is just terrible – in December, I’d be all for it, but snow in April? No way! It’s been snowing non-stop since last night. I had a hair appointment, so I had to venture out. Luckily, my husband hadn’t switched to winter tires yet, so I was okay to drive. Many others weren’t so lucky , my hairdresser had most of her appointments canceled due to the fact that they could not get there.
I took some photos of this white nightmare. The first is from my car window as soon as I parked it.
The streets of Kivenlahti this morning..
I was closing the blinds when I noticed the moon behind the clouds, the trees on the hill beautifully framed it. I had my mobile at hand as I was about to place it on the bedside table for my night time clock. As we all know everything is on that thing. This is the last photo I took last night for Cellpic Sunday , otherwise you might have gotten a shot of Tinka.
I am rather amazing how great shots you can get with the mobile phone even in the darkness.
I did go and get my camera, and these are the comparison shots. There is a slight difference to be noticed I think.
And as I’ve just done an abstract photo challenge – with a little handshake – this is what you get 🙂
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 