Shadow and light under the arches create a dynamic interplay of contrast that captivates. The designs of the arches, with their elegant curves, invite a dance of illumination as sunlight filters through, casting delicate patterns.
When you think of Hong Kong and its iconic buildings, this view is not what first comes to mind; however, this is also a reality by the river. I took these photos while on a ferry, marveling at the two realities of very different skylines from this unique perspective.
Click the image to enlarge it
For Dan’s Thursday Doors.
“Every step you take is a step away from where you used to be.”
I did manage to find some steps for Monochrome Madness #18.
These are old photos that I edited for the mood challenge, but did not use them, and now they are quite handy for my open doors post for Dan’s Thursday Doors. These images are from a charming square in Amalfi, Italy, a place steeped in history and beauty.
I am happy I was able capture the warm tones and the night mood, evoking a sense of calm, day transitions into night, just about closing time. In the first photo, you can see a woman with pearls closing the gates of her store.
The cafes and restaurants surrounding the square remain open, creating a lively atmosphere, yet the mood is not hurried; it is calm and serene, even amidst the gentle flow of people moving about, enjoying the last moments of the day. The soft glow of the streetlamps reflects off the cobblestones, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.
I liked how the door created reflections, so I took a shot of this home supply store door. The way the glass shimmered in the sunlight added a charm to the scene, making the mundane store pop. As I framed the picture, I noticed a pigeon perched nearby, the pigeon is a nice addition in the shot, even if it isn’t so sharp in the frame; its presence brings a touch of life and whimsy.
Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors
It was a windy and cloudy day and we did not feel like barbequing so we drove to Lahti have lunch. We drove to Vuorikatu and first thing I noticed that lots of construction had been done and the sea of signs was the second thing I noticed as we got out of the car. it’s a jungle out there.
Looking down the hill you can see the ski jump hills, a landmark of the city. Behind the fence was a (Harjun koulu) school. I took a photo of the entrance. In the last two photos you can see some of the yard, and an apartment building and the tower of the Lahti City Hall
From the hill you can see to the hill on other side , (Ristin Kirkko) the Church of the Cross it is the main church in Lahti, Finland. The modernist church, completed in 1978, was one of the last design projects of the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The first photo in the gallery below.
And then we drove up the hill to see the radio masts of Lahti an other landmark of the city
Lahti is an important radio city because of its old radio broadcasting station. The Finnish Broadcasting Company was established in 1926. It was soon found that the radio broadcasting station in Helsinki was not powerful enough. The first long wave station in Finland was built in Lahti because of the city’s central location. Built in 1927, the 150-metre-high radio towers became a landmark of the city. Lahti’s broadcasting station was inaugurated on 22 April 1928.
The popularity of radio increased quickly in the 1930s, and it became necessary to expand coverage. In 1935, a new long-wave station was completed in Lahti (today the Radio and TV Museum Mastola) with a powerful 150 kW Marconi transmitter. In 1953, ultrashort (FM) waves and transmitters were introduced in broadcasting. In the same year, the transmitter of the Lahti long-wave (AM) transmitter was replaced. In 1958, Suomen Televisio was established and began its television broadcasting. Currently, FM and television transmission operations in Lahti are run by the Tiirismaa station, completed in 1967.
The AM station in Lahti stopped broadcasting in 1993, as the Finnish Broadcasting Company discontinued its long-wave service. Mastola
John’s Cellpic Sunday
So today’s topic is balconies. PR has presented us with this topic and has provided lovely shots to be inspired by. I have a few balcony shots myself, although I’m sure I’ve posted them before. My focus is mainly on nature photography, so I have fewer shots from cities. However, I must admit that balconies make for a nice photography topic. There’s something charming and delightful about capturing the unique character of different balconies, each telling its own story. Whether it’s the intricate designs of wrought-iron railings, the colorful array of potted plants, or the cozy nooks for outdoor seating, balconies offer a myriad of photo opportunities. The interplay of light and shadow on a balcony can create captivating compositions, while the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces adds depth and interest to the photographs. Overall, exploring the world of balconies through photography provides an exciting visual journey, allowing us to appreciate the beauty and diversity of these architectural features.
This above shot is from Amalfi. The gallery below is balconies from Savannah (click to enlarge)
Charleston balconies
Above we are back in Italy and the below shot is from Nice.
Lens-Artist challenge #309: Balconies
I reallythought I wouldn’t be able to find that many balconies, I,m happy to have found some interesting and colorful balconies . Please go discover your set of balconies and be sure to link them to PR’s post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. Thanks also to Elizabeth for last week’s Pairs challenge. It was great seeing the many variations of the theme and creative approaches to her subject.
Next week we return to our normal schedule with Patti leading the challenge on her Pilotfish post. We hope you’ll join us then. Until then, keep on smiling.
Looking for more information on joining our challenge? Click here.
I know there is several doors to be found in these areas, though not easily seen. Dan’s Thursday Doors
I’m a big fan of looking out for shadows and light patterns
This is stretching it a bit, first I noticed the woman with the orange scarf, she was sitting on the edge of the window – facing me and the sun having a smoke. Before I could get the shot she turned. The restaurant is out of business, well by the looks f the door. There is a lady coming out through the gate in the corner. So there is a door in this shot 🙂
Dans Thursday Doors
Arena talo is a commercial and residential building located in Hakaniemi, Helsinki, which completely covers a triangular block on the north side of Hakaniemi market. The Danish-style red brick building was designed by architect Lars Sonck and was completed in two stages in 1924 and 1929. There is an Oxygenol light advertisement on the roof. And lots of doors on the street level.
Oxygenol has also been a part of Helsinki’s street scene for decades: the brand name can be read in two meters high letters on the roof of the Arena building near the Hakaniemi metro station from the direction of the Hakaniemi square. In these you can see it from the back 🙂
.
HELSINKI’s cityscape is a delightful blend of modern architecture and historical landmarks. The pavilion, located next to the Marketplace on Lyypekin laituri, with its wooden structure and two new piers, the pavilion offers visitors a serene place to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Inspired by the Helsinki archipelago and Vallisaari specifically, the pavilion’s design showcases the city’s deep connection to its natural surroundings. “It’s shaped like a beach cliff that twists into a squishy ring,” as it was eloquently described in the press release during its initial design phase.
That is not why I took the photos, because delightful blend of modern architecture, no. I just loved how the triangle frames the city view and how the people added perspective to the height of the building
Here is my last post to Ludwig’s Monday Windows
I think these are suitable for this week. Ympyrätalo “Circle House”) is a circle-shaped office building located in the Hakaniemi district of Helsinki, Finland. The building is a local landmark. The building’s architecture has been seen as a high point in 1960s Finnish office building architecture.
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.
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
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
These images of an old vacant building from Tallinn are from ten years back, but now I decided to share them with you. The building itself has quite a history, I am sure, but I do not know it , having served different purposes over the years before being left vacant. The windows, the patterns of peeling paint, weathered wood, and the play of light and shadows.
These windows are my entry for this week for Ludwigs Monday Window challenge, a perfect opportunity to showcase the timeless beauty and mystery captured within these frames.
For Thursday Doors
Busy doors, sitting and watching people come in and out while waiting for my husband to come from his football match
Nothing grand, just few doors and windows Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors
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.
for Thursday Doors
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
I have taken these some years back in France finding these photos brought back a flood of memories. I found them on my phone yesterday, as I was looking for a certain photo, that I did not end up finding. It’s intriguing how a moment of searching for one thing can lead to the discovery of something entirely different yet equally appropriate for the moment. But these open and closed doors did. Given that it’s Dan’s Thursday Doors, it seems like the universe conspired to present you with a fitting tribute to the day.
In a way, this experience echoes the mysterious allure of doors, both literal and metaphorical. They invite curiosity, incite wonder, and beckon us to cross the threshold into the unknown.
The first really warm spring days are finally here, the joy of it is enormous – and for the life of me, I have not been able stay inside the house. After a very long winter the joy of sunshine, the nature slowly coming to life, watching the birds, seeing the first bumble bee this year.
Cut to the chase, I have not spent much time on my computer. I am so well behind in all comments, sorry!
I checked what does goulet means. French: nickname for a glutton or a topographic name for someone who lived by a narrow pass or defile, from Old French goulet ‘gullet’, a diminutive of goule ‘throat’ (from Latin gula). habitational name from (Le) Goulet, the name of several places in various parts of France.
This image portrays my sister standing in the shadow, framed by an open doorway shot of her on the way out of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, that reveals a sunlit street beyond. In my opinion the interplay of light and shadow creates a dramatic and artistic effect.
Dan’s Thursday Doors
Our Lady of Sorrows Church is a Roman Catholic church in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The church was built in 1785.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 