Photography – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Lens-Artists Challenge #420 – Wabi Sabi

Captures from Finland, lens-artists, Photography

This is what Sofia wrote in her post, and asks us to embrace imperfection. The challenge is to forget, in part, what you normally think as a good subject or the perfect composition. Think of the imperfection of things that are flawed or unsightly, the impermanence of things that have past their prime, the incompleteness of the transitional, capturing moments instead of the whole thing. Think of the unconventional and the ordinary and find beauty there.

I’ve been busy with family visiting from Australia, but we still managed to take him to Porvoo. I also found a few moments to wander through the old cemetery on the hill and we make a quick stop in the town centre on a darkening November day. And few days later thought that still will fit with the challenge.

**Old Porvoo** is showcased in the image with its famous landmarks: **Porvoo Cathedral** on the hill and the iconic **red shore houses** along the Porvoo River. The first stone walls were built between 1410 and 1420, and in about 1450, the church was expanded 4 meters (13 ft) towards the east and 6 meters (20 ft) towards the south.

History

The churchyard around Porvoo Cathedral suffered from severe lack of space in the late 18th century. Several attempts were made to discontinue burials inside the church, at least in the 1740s, due to unpleasant odours and damage to the church furnishings, as the floorboards had to be constantly moved. In the churchyard, the remains of the buried had to be lifted up so that new graves could be dug. Bones lay scattered around the church, and the town’s pigs and dogs found plenty to root around in. There was concern about the spread of epidemics. During the Russo-Swedish War of King Gustav III, many soldiers were quartered in Porvoo and mortality was high.^[Land exchange was found to be the solution to the ever-growing burial needs of the military, the town and the parish population. The congregation received four barrel of land (about two hectares) of land on Näsinmäki, where townspeople who had died in the plague epidemic had already been buried in 1710; the disease claimed 652 lives Näsinmäki Cemetery was consecrated in 1789.

Challenge

And how do these relate to the theme Wabi Sabi? The stone fences age quietly with time, their rough surfaces slowly softened and muted by veils of moss. The seasons have carved delicate lines and cracks into the stones, each fracture a record of wind, rain, and frost. Time has left its marks on the metal fence as well, in patches of rust, peeling paint, and weathered edges that no longer follow a perfect line. The gravestones stand worn and leaning, their inscriptions fading, corners chipped, and surfaces pitted, yet holding a gentle dignity. In these quiet imperfections—the stains, the lichen, the broken edges and softened contours—the beauty of transience and impermanence is revealed, and the presence of all that has passed through this place can almost be felt in the air.

The cemetery is one a forested hill is located on the west side of the Porvoonjoki River. Näsinmäki Cemetery was consecrated in 1789, and it is the fourth-oldest cemetery in Finland that is separate from a church building.

Click on the gallery to enlarge the images.

Many thanks to Sofia for hosting this wonderful challenge. When you take part, remember to include the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so your entries can be found, and be sure to link your post back to the original challenge. Last week John invited us to showcase landmarks and monuments, and I really enjoyed discovering so many that were new to me. Even better, I especially loved seeing all the old analogue photographs!

We hope you’ll join us again next week when Patti returns to challenge us. Visit her website and the WordPress Reader at noon EST on November 7 in the USA.

Until then, let’s continue exploring, expanding our perspectives, and nurturing a positive mindset.

Stay updated on 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.

Wordless Wednesday

iPhone photography, Photography

Dawn at Mettänen 20-10-26-52 — A serene birch forest glows with autumn color beneath a crisp blue sky and frosty woodland floor.

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.

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

Monochrome Madness – Low Light

Black and White photos, Photography

Leanne asked if I was interested in hosting Monochrome Madness and I happily said yes, because I do love monochrome/black and white photography. It has timelessness and style to it that I really appreciate. Here is my Challenge to you – Low Light

Whether it’s the shimmer of urban lights, a softly lit portrait, or a scene bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight, I invite you to explore how low light can craft atmosphere and narrate a story. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how shadows, highlights, and delicate light sources can elevate an everyday moment into something dramatic and memorable. Seek out instances when the light dims and transforms the ambiance. Experiment with reflections, silhouettes, contrast, long exposures, and available light to realize your vision.

Here are some inspirational images, looking forward to seeing yours.

Snowy forest road illuminated at night — A quiet snow-covered road illuminated by a single streetlight, surrounded by tall trees at night.

autumn in the city — Helsinki – Töölö in autumn evening and apartment lights

Take your camera, welcome the shadows, and capture images that are atmospheric, imaginative, and visually compelling. Or use your archives. We look forward to seeing your finest low-light photographs—just three images, each featuring a unique subject, when the lights start to dim. I imposed a limit of three photos across three distinct topics, that way it is easier to concentrate on all the images in the post.

Night Rider — A cyclist crosses wet streetcar tracks at night as a light-rail train and traffic streak through the city intersection.

Urban and portrait photography came relatively easy for me, but capturing nature in low light proved to be challenging.

Helsinki waterfront ferry beneath historic harbor lights — Helsinki at night on a cold windy night by the sea

I struggled to achieve the moody effect I wanted during sunset. The bright summer nights aren’t ideal for creating dark contrasts. I attempted multiple edits, including altering the sky in one photo. However, winter nights present a completely different scenario.

Winter evening — The moon illuminates a quiet lakeside town, rocky hillside, and shimmering reflections beneath drifting clouds.

Contemplative moody portrait in monochrome — A black and white close-up portrait of a man deep in thought, with hands clasped near his face and expressive shadows highlighting his features.

Link your post to mine and Leanne’s post also add Monochrome Madness tag so others can find it in the reader

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Am ending this post with this haunting forest scene , it shows a solitary figure beneath towering trees and misty, ghostlike textures. Taken on a evening walk beneath the trees in Helsinki

Lens-Artists Challenge #418 – Memories

lens-artists, Photography

“Memory” by Barbra Streisand started to play in my head… or was it the song from *Cats*, or perhaps both at once? When I saw the theme Tina had chosen for this week, the word itself seemed to echo, bringing back so many moments I thought I had forgotten. Memory, all alone in the moonlight… As the melody lingered, images from the past unfolded like old photographs—fleeting, fragile, yet deeply comforting in their familiarity.

Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan

Person in coat and scarf walking along a leaf-covered historic street at night — A solitary pedestrian walks beneath a glowing street lamp on a quiet, moonlit autumn evening.

Love is many, many things… This song in the movie moved me to tears—a good cry, really. I was a teenager living in Australia. I remember watching it with my older sister, and with that memory comes another time when we would fight about what to watch on TV, her locking me out of the house so she could watch her show. I remember the room, the wallpaper… The song starts like this:

Love is a many-splendored thing, 
It's the April rose that only grows in the early spring.
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living

mother day rose — April rose that only grows in the early spring.

I have such fond memories of all the moments when roses have been given to me. I received them at my confirmation, I carried them in my wedding bouquet, Mother’s Day roses have become a beloved tradition to many, and friends often bring them when they come to visit. Photographing flowers and roses feels like a natural extension of these memories—every petal, color, and soft curve…, and through the lens I get to relive the joy, love, and warmth of those moments

Right now I feel a bit lost about which direction to take with this post: should I write about songs that have memories attached to them, or share photos and pair them with songs? Most images I have carry some kind of memory imprinted in them, like little anchors to moments I thought I had forgotten. My mind keeps wandering in different directions – travels, homes, our boys, the everyday scenes and the in‑between moments that quietly shaped us. Part of me wants to follow one clear path, but another part wants to let all these threads weave together, to see what kind of story they tell when I place the music, the photographs, and the memories side by side.

nostalgia-old-photo-album-18 — My mum and dad – young and in love. A young sailor and shop assistant

The Marvelettes – When you’re Young and in Love

Spring in the air (filled with love)
There’s magic everywhere
When you’re young and in love

Life seems to be (just a dream)
A world of fantasy
When you’re young and in love

Muistoja (214) — The two of us together in a sunny Mexican market street beneath a Spanish-language unity sign. My boyfriend had such a baby face – and he had, and still has, much better legs than I do. By the way, these days he would be the one carrying those blankets, not me. We still have those blankets.

Back in 2013, we visited British Columbia, Canada. My sister lived in Fort Langley, and there, or somewhere nearby, we saw the eagles… such a great sighting and memory. These photos from our visits bring back memories, and, well, I miss her. She was the one who championed me in my photography and art. “The world as I see it”—that is in my tagline. That came from her words: you see the world through your camera lens; I would love to see it that way too. I did carry my camera with me all the time.

Bold Eagle — A majestic eagle gazes across the clear blue sky, its layered dark feathers and powerful hooked beak in sharp focus.

ABBA – Eagle

[Chorus]
Flying high, high
I’m a bird in the sky
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high
What a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

bald eagle-10 — High, high
What a feeling to fly

Many thanks to Tina for this delightful challenge; assembling my response turned out to be more difficult than I expected. I’m eager to see the memories you’ll share for this week’s theme—please remember to link back to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag so we can easily find your work. My appreciation also goes to Egidio for last week’s “Where Does It Lead” challenge, it gave us many roads paths to follow.

Looking ahead, we hope you’ll be with us again next week, when John returns to guide us on another of his Journeys With Johnbo. Check out his site and the WP reader at noon EST in the USA.

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.

Lens-Artists Challenge #417: Where Does It Lead?

lens-artists, Photography

For this challenge, Egídio invites us to explore “Where Does It Lead?” in whatever direction speaks to us. To get us started, here are three ways to approach the prompt: the most literal reading is a path itself—a trail you can follow on foot or on wheels. The compositional reading is not about what the path is, but how it guides the eye. The interpretive reading opens the prompt up wide—to tracks and traces, or metaphor.

This time I focused only on paths and roads that felt somehow different from the others. The first three images share a similar, warm color tone that guides the eye forward like a soft leading line, before the mood slowly cools and slips into gentle blue tones. The surfaces, bends, and intersections in the roads seem to echo this change in light, moving from a comforting glow to a quieter, more distant feeling as the colors fade toward blue.

Autums friends — Two children explore a sunlit forest trail surrounded by vibrant golden autumn foliage.

Straight to the deep end — A sunlit wooden dock extends across a tranquil lake, framed by colorful autumn forest, leading to the deep end

Chapora River (20) — A tranquil sunset spreads golden light across the water as a traditional boat glides on Chapora River in Goa, but where are we heading.

Aerial view of a sprawling sea city,It can lead to so many places, view to Länsiväylä in Espoo, Finland with highways winding across wooded islands and blue waterways.

Crete Landscape in April-163 — A rugged trail in Crete winds through rocky terrain and evergreen trees beneath dramatic snow-dusted mountain peaks, but where does it lead us?

Northern Norway-446 — A winding coastal road follows a tranquil fjord beneath mist-covered, snow-dusted mountains.

I want to thank all of you who shared your thoughts on my music theme. It was so much fun to read your responses, and I loved seeing how many of you have a similar taste in music. I also learned a lot about artists, genres, and traditions from different parts of the world, and your insights have given me new ideas and inspiration for future playlists and projects.

Egídio, thank you for leading us this week; I had fun in my quest to lead us somewhere. When joining in, remember to tag your entry with Lens-Artists and link it to Egidio’s original post. Next week, Tina will feature a new challenge, which will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to her lovely site to learn more about the challenge.

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 about Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

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

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

Historic Corner Storefront in Seattle

Cities, Photography, Traveling US

I don’t remember standing in front of this building in the historic district of Pioneer Square in Seattle, Washington, USA, at 200 1st Ave S. But I can be sure it caught my attention. It was a dark-painted historic corner building, the kind of place that seemed to hold countless stories within its walls. Across the top was the faded text “Driftwood Sportswear”, and above the door hung a sign that read “woven art,” details that are just waiting to be photographed. I have no idea what the corner looks like today; if I remember correctly, this was 2013???

house corner (2) — A historic city storefront featuring Woven Art, colorful hanging flower baskets, and the weathered Driftwood Sportswear sign above.

Monday Window: 12 October 2026

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

Lens-Artist Challenge #416 – Music

lens-artists, Photography

Get ready to rock ’n’ roll—it’s time for some music! Don’t stress, you don’t need to know your Beyoncé from your Beethoven to join in this challenge. Whether it’s a street artist down the street, local band or a world‑famous rockstar on stage, this challenge is all about capturing the energy, excitement, and emotion of live music—or anything connected to it. Think instruments, the crowd, listeners, and most importantly, the emotions and feelings that music sparks in us all. Fun, peace, happiness, comfort when times are tough—music brings us together and lifts our spirits. A great photo should try to bottle a little bit of that magic.

🎶 Music-41 — One might consider this music too

Now for the fun part – just roll with the theme! You can shoot in black and white, color, with flash or without, from the middle of the crowd or right up close with the performers. Focus on the musicians, the audience, the lights, or any little detail that grabs your attention. The main thing is to let your creativity loose and capture a moment that really shows the spirit of the music. It doesn’t need to be fancy, either – it could be a macro of part of an instrument, or someone zoning out with their headphones on. Music and photography are both creative playgrounds – show us how you mash them together.

I love photographing concerts, rehearsals, and street performers – even someone simply listening to music can tell a whole story in one frame. Use the stage lights, deep shadows, and silhouettes to help create a moody atmosphere. Watch the connection between the musician, their instrument, and the crowd – that’s usually where the magic happens. And remember to capture the small reactions and expressions that show how the music really feels to people.

🎶 Music-29 — A shelf filled with music CDs and jewel cases arranged spine-out. Visible titles include Leonard Cohen, The Clash, The Cranberries, The Cure, Crowded House, The Cult, Donna Summer, Miles Davis, Ray Davies, Sam Cooke, Bad Vibes Lloyd Cole, and others, with a bright red Leonard Cohen collection standing out near the center. The dark shelf, varied black, white, red, and metallic spines, and slightly worn cases create a nostalgic archival mood,

I want to thank Anne for her wonderful theme. You don’t need a fancy camera to take good photographs; you just need to look, see, and move around. This was evident in the posts I saw. And about this week’s challenge: I will certainly reply to all posts linked to my post, but please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so people can find your challenge entries in WP Reader.

Next week, Egídio is giving us a new challenge that I am sure you do not want to miss. Check out his site and the WP reader at noon EST in the USA.

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.

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

A Vintage Violin and a worn Orange Case

Photography, Still life

Vintage violin in weathered protective case — A vintage violin rests in its worn orange case on a dark brick floor.

The Mechanics of Time Beneath Glass

street photography, Travel

Debbies Six Word Saturday

Monochrome: Lakeside Reflections and an Autumn Porch

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Photography

A week with no particular theme for Monochrome Madness. So I had two choices, totally different, other than that they are both in monochrome – or black and white. One of them you might remember from a recent post, and I wanted to let you see how it converted to B&W – I thought it worked really well and gained a slightly different mood.

This is how I would describe the first image: A quiet black-and-white scene opens onto a still lake, its surface edged by a rocky, forested shore. Tall pines and slender birches rise along the right, while the far woods soften and disappear into a pale, overcast mist. The water lies glassy and mute, holding the trees and sky in a dim reflection. To the left, a small dock and, nearer the viewer, a single fishing float offer the slightest trace of human presence. The pared-back tones and unhurried composition leave the image hanging in a contemplative, almost hushed mood.

The mood is different in them the other image shows a calm lake bordered by a rocky, forested shoreline of tall pine and birch trees. The glassy water reflects the dense woodland in long vertical patterns, while a small dock extends into the lake on the left and a floating marker sits in the foreground. Soft mist or haze lightens the distant trees and bright sky, creating a quiet, minimalist atmosphere.

The third photo is a set of stairs leading to an inviting porch in autumn, full of texture and gentle light. Which is your preference, and what draws you more: the familiar image transformed, or the quiet promise of that autumn porch, mayne with some candles in lovely lanterns?

Kaitaa-26 — A black-and-white view of a weathered wooden porch, framed by ornate columns and leading up to a quiet double do

A Warm, Book-Filled Café

Captures from Finland, Photography

This café I visited feels more like a home than a café. It is so inviting and cozy, filled with the warmth and character of a well-loved, lived-in home, the kind of place where you instantly want to sit down, relax, and stay a while.

Sharing these images from some time back with Monday Window: 28 September 2026. Hope you all have a great week.

Vintage Home Window Framing Quiet Domestic Moment — A woman in a straw hat sits beside an open window of a weathered white house, with bookshelves visible inside.

Hanko (57 of 224) — A cozy, book-filled dining room glows with warm pendant light beside an open window and a tea-set table. I did too edits of this photo the other is set as a header.

Hanko (55 of 224) — A warmly lit Cafe interior opens onto a cozy dining room filled with books, glassware, and vintage furnishings.

Autumn Light on the Forest Path

Captures from Finland, Photography

I took these this morning, first sunny day in a week, it was so welcome sight. This path leads to my summer house, sharing them with Johns Cellpic Sunday

Mettänen — A sunlit autumn path winds through a colorful birch and evergreen forest.

Lens-Artist Challenge #415 – Move Your Body

Landscapes, lens-artists, Photography

This week it is Anne´s turn to host us with a great theme, MOVE YOURSELVES. Photography, to me, is about showing what I see and how I compose it. You need a camera, a willingness to really look, and the freedom to move toward your subject to find the right angle, distance, and light. It is as much about quiet observation as it is about action, taking the time to notice small details and relationships in the scene. In the end, it is always a return to the basics: seeing clearly, moving with intention, and framing the moment in a way that feels true. Anne challenge is all about that.

sysksy sävelet-33 — A close-up of three glossy red wild rose hips nestled among vivid green leaves.

Last week here in Finland, we had miserable weather. Rain, drizzle, low clouds – the day never really got bright. Yet with rain come droplets, and I’m known to show a lot of love toward that subject. On days like this, I slow down and simply watch how the droplets gather on leaves, branches, , each one holding a tiny, upside‑down world inside. The light is soft and diffused, wrapping gently around every surface so that even the smallest bead of water catches a quiet glow instead of a harsh reflection. Gloomy weather also simplifies the scene, removing distractions and letting subtle tones, reflections, and shapes guide the composition.

I found these mushrooms on a tree trunk that is on a path to decay. The photo shows many sheathed woodtufts (Kuehneromyces mutabilis), but telling them apart from the highly poisonous funeral bell (Galerina marginata) requires careful examination of the stem, because the caps look very similar.

The grass was covered in tiny droplets, each one catching the light in a slightly different way. I took my time, just looking—tracing the lines of the blades, noticing how the droplets clustered, how they broke into patterns and rhythms that I felt could become a strong photograph. The way the light slid across the surface, the soft reflections, and the contrast between sharp edges and blurred textures all started to suggest a composition. Because I was working with a macro lens that has no zoom, every change in framing meant that I had to move myself, slowly and deliberately, bending closer and adjusting my position by small increments to fine-tune the focus and preserve the delicate balance of light, texture, and form in the scene.

These were easier to take, as the branches were on eye level. Closer and closer I got… Billard’s bridewort had only this one flower left all the others had turned brown.

sysksy sävelet-68 — Delicate water droplets cling to a green leaf, creating a shimmering macro scene against a softly blurred background.

Check out Anne’s original post and link you post to hers. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so people can find your challenge entries.

Ann-Christine had us thinking about HARMONY last week, and it reminded us just how deeply we need it in our lives. The challenge inspired so many different and creative ways to express harmony—quiet moments in nature, balanced compositions, gentle colors, and heartfelt stories—and the posts I saw were filled with the calm, connection, and beauty we were hoping for. Thank you to everyone who joined in and shared your unique vision; together, you created a rich, soothing tapestry of images and ideas.

Next week, I’ll be introducing a brand-new challenge, which will go live Saturday October 3rd at noon EST in the USA. Mark your calendars and stop by then to discover what I’ve been planning and how you can join in the fun; I can’t wait to see where our lenses take us next.

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.

Lazy Days at Surf Beach: Photos, Waves and Friends

Landscapes, Photography, Traveling Australia

Tranquil shoreline view with distant islands — A tranquil sandy Surf beach stretches toward turquoise waves, distant islands, and a bright blue sky.

After visiting the mountains, it was time to check out some beaches nearby and soak up some rays. We basically had a lazy afternoon at Surf Beach. What’s not to like: lovely views and the relaxing sound of the waves. There were not many people around, as it was not the locals’ vacation time. Ritva sat on the beach taking photographs of seagulls and the waves, while I took a leisurely stroll along the seashore. I couldn’t help myself and collected seashells again. Sea urchin shells are so delicate, but I still managed to transport them to Finland intact. The waves on the beach were quite heavy for my liking, but I managed to swim anyway. The water of the Pacific Ocean felt cool at first, but after getting used to it, it was easy to stay in for a long time.

The following morning Ritva took portraits of Heli, Rod and Baxter the dog (I think they came out rather nice). After the photoshoot the destination was Ulladulla and Mollymook Beach, where we had lunch with Denise and Tracy, who live just before Ulladulla. Denise and Tracy are Heli’s friends whom we had met a couple of times before; they are so much fun—once in Finland and the other time at Caseys Beach. We can highly recommend Mollymook Beach for the scenery and most likely for swimming and surfing as well, although we didn’t try those last two. By the way, if you haven’t driven through places like Lillipilli, Ulladulla, Tumbarumba and Tilba Tilba, at least once in a lifetime, you haven’t really lived.

Friends relaxing beside a sunny beach — Heli and I relax at a seaside bench overlooking a sunny beach, rolling turquoise waves at Mollymook Beach and a tree-lined coastal neighborhood .

Heli and Rod are wonderful hosts and letting us stay there all that time is something we’re very appreciative of.

It’s easy to talk to Rod, for example, about politics. He is a timid and quiet ex-civil servant with hardly any opinions of his own. NOT! He’s a very loud person joking, laughing and swearing all the time. And he’s not afraid to speak his mind. However, we didn’t get into arguments or fistfights about anything. We basically agreed on most things political, at least. Rod is from a small community in Victoria, where his parents scraped by farming the land. It’s easy to understand he talked quite a bit for the rural communities and that way of living. On top of that Rod spent part of his career fighting for health services for the remote areas. Great bloke!
I didn’t talk to Heli that much. Us guys had our own discussions, and the girls talked about soap operas and crocheting, I think. (I will let you keep thinking that) Actually, Heli was constantly giving us ideas about what to see and where to go. We talked a lot about families, of course. And she kept us fed with beautiful meals from morning till dinnertime. After dinner the old fogies retired to their room and went to sleep. Caseys Beach was beautiful. Our hosts’ home is only about 30 meters from the sea, and you could see dolphin just about every other day. And waves hitting the shore was so relaxing. It was easy falling to sleep listening their hypnotic rhythm our bedroom window open.

Text Mara Sillanmäki

I have posted several posts about the first half of our trip, I will add the links to them if you wish to have a look, they are in the order I posted them Sydney – Adelaide – South Australia – Victoria -NSW

Talbingo Top Lake: Quiet Beauty in Kosciuszko National Park

Landscapes, Photography

Got a peaceful start to the day, after a long weekend, by walking along the beach and on the rocks. It was a good workout, climbing and balancing on the rocky beach and picking up seashells. We took it easy for the rest of the day, but in the evening we got the call that it would be okay after all to go and visit Ritva’s cousin, Kari, and his wife, Susan, in Talbingo. Talbingo is a small town in the mountainous area of Kosciuszko National Park and only 370 km, or about a 4-hour drive, from where we were staying in Batehaven, NSW. 😊

Up the Clyde Mountain again and around Canberra. We drove 3,5 hours until we stopped in town of Gundogai in a restaurant called Oliver’s. We had to stop there because one of our grandsons is called Oliver. Once again, we saw towns with cute names: Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga and Tumut. Tumut is a town closest to Talbingo that has grocery stores. The distance is 40 km.

Afternoon and evening were spent catching up with Susan and Kari. However, I took a little walk because I knew from the previous visit that the kangaroos would appear in the close by park. Got some pictures of the ‘roos even though they didn’t allow me to get close by. And I must not forget to mention the mountains that surround the town. Lakes, mountains, quiet, what more can you ask for your retirement home. Well maybe general store would be nice, but it closed few years ago.

Talbingo area has couple of dams built along Tumut River and power plant that produces plenty of electricity to a wider region. Two reservoirs were formed because of the dams: Talbingo and Blowering Reservoirs. In the morning, we drove to the Talbingo Reservoir that the locals call Top Lake. On the way we drove by the power plant. The pipes that we running to it from the reservoir didn’t look like much but actually you could drive a double-decker bus inside of them.

Being off-season Top Lake was really quiet. There were only two teenager and us four. Or I should say five because Susan and Kari have a beautiful Akita dog named Nischka. She is big but so peaceful. I’m digressing. Last time our host couple’s friends, Chris and Maggie, took us for a boat ride and waterskiing on Top Lake. Unfortunately, they don’t live there anymore, and we ended up just enjoying the scenery. Susan found a beautiful piece of driftwood on the beach, and she was gracious enough to give it to us. Now it has a special place on our dresser. I can only imagine how long it had been in the water to be so smooth.

As I mentioned before, Kari and his father and maybe one or two more of the brothers were laying the groundwork for the new Parliament House. I say maybe because I heard so many stories from all Ritva’s relatives it is hard to keep up with them.

Later in the afternood we headed back to Caseys Beach we didn’t want to bother our hosts. They were both under the weather. We only stopped at Braidwood, after a three-hour drive. Heli had recommended Braidwood Bakery. We got there too late, just before closing time, and there was hardly anything left to buy and eat. However, we got to Caseys Beach just in time to one of Heli’s scrumptious dinners.

Text Mara Sillanmäki

Canberra Travel Diary: Parliament House, War Memorial and More

Photography, Traveling Australia

It’s been over a year since we visited Australia( Feb 2025). I had all my photos edited and my husband Mara had written the narrative of our trip. Then what I call a disaster happened: my computer and Lightroom had some hiccup and all the edits were lost. I hadn’t saved them. It had been a tremendous job to get them done, and I just couldn’t get myself to redo them again. But now I thought I would do the Canberra post. It has been fun reading the text again; it brought back memories of our trip, little details I had forgotten. Let’ get started.

Going for the new world record, or at least my personal record, with time spend driving within three weeks, so off to Canberra we went on Friday morning. So little time and so much to see. The plan was to see relatives and friends and to see the sights. Driving up the Misty Mountain and Clyde Mountain was nearly as much fun as coming down.
I hadn’t done my research about Canberra properly and we had to go the Tourist Information by the Lake Burley Griffin. We got the info and bought a wombat toy for one of our grandsons. It was time to find a place to eat and it proved to be challenging as it often does. There was a lot of road work going on and GPS was not up to speed. In the end we ended up eating pizza slices at a place called BJ’s in Acton, I think. But BJ’s was clean and cheap and that is sometimes all you need. Pizza was good too and they had some fun posters on the walls and beer was great.

The higher building is High Court of Australia and the other is National Library of Australia

Anyhow, it was time to have a good general idea of the city. We drove up to Mount Ainslie Lookout. View was great and you could see the city plan well. Capital Hill, the lake, War Memorial, Anzac Parade, National Museum, etc.

From Mount Ainslie we came down to look at the Australian War Memorial. Unfortunately, Memorial was closing for the day, and we couldn’t get in. But there is always another day. But we got plenty of pictures of statues and memorial gardens.

By sheer luck I ended up witnessing a memorial service of a major. I was taking pictures, and I saw a man with an urn in his hands. I approached him to say I’m sorry I didn’t mean to take photos of such personal moment. And he approached me to say that he was sorry if he ruined my photos. He told me that they were going to scatter his father’s ashes to the memorial site. His father had passed in 2023 but only now they had found the time to do the ceremony with family and friends. He also said that I was more than welcome to take pictures. After the brief chat I saw the rest of the mourners coming closer. The major had been active in the matters of War Memorial, so his ashes were allowed to scatter in the grounds.

After the Memorial, we drove along the Anzar Parade, which is filled with statues, but we were not able to stop and take photographs. It was late afternoon and time to check in. However, our room wasn’t ready. The front desk manager was apologetic and offered us drinks at the bar and breakfast at no charge. Thirty minutes later, the room was ready. Even with the help of the internet, it was, once again, hard to find a place to eat. First, we chose a tavern, but that was a mistake. We made a U-turn in the parking lot because the tavern looked like a dive from the outside. Later, we were told that “tavern” usually means it is not a classy place. We ended up in a restaurant called Ostani in the Realm Hotel. It looked promising based on the number of people. It was packed, but we managed to get a table. After waiting for a few minutes, I asked a server, who was passing our table, if somebody would be coming to our table soon. He said that I would be better off going to the counter to order, which meant this place was a self-service establishment. We ran into this phenomenon constantly, and we found out that the restaurants are not able to get enough staff anymore, especially after Covid. In many places they have QR codes at the tables that say: check out the menu, order, and pay with an app. I went to one counter and ordered and paid for our food. Then I went to the bar and ordered and paid for our drinks. After carrying the drinks to our table, I had to go and get water from the tap into a jug and get glasses as well. The food was okay, but the atmosphere was lively and fun.

Saturday morning was spent visiting Parliament House and Old Parliament House. The new Parliament was stunning with its marble and different kind of stones and architecture in general. Also, it’s a huge building and I had to push Ritva in a wheelchair to different chambers. Some folks might remember the British comedy show Little Britain. I felt like one of the characters, Lou, pushing his friend Andy around. If you are not familiar with the character, you can find them on YouTube.

Old Parliament House, formerly known as the Provisional Parliament House, was the seat of the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988. Now it is the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)

Canberra’s permanent Parliament House was formally opened on 9 May 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, taking the place of the provisional Old Parliament House. This event represented the culmination of many decades of planning for a purpose-built seat of the Australian Parliament on Capital Hill. The date of 9 May was selected to reflect earlier key moments in Australia’s parliamentary history that occurred on the same day, underscoring continuity in the nation’s democratic tradition.

Then we went to Red Hill Lookout for another broader view of Canberra.

Afternoon was reserved for family and friends. We drove to suburb of Charnwood to visit Ritva’s cousin’s daughter Ashlee, her husband Inny and their two young children, Marley and Rex, and their two dogs and five chickens. As you can imagine, it meant a lot of running around, screaming, barking, clucking, licking, throwing balls and toys, drawing colorful pictures and even some discussions. All around chaos and fun. Little Rex cried when we left because he had so much fun playing ball. The dogs were big but friendly from the get-go. Chickens not so much, but they were colorful and beautiful.

After few hours we had to leave for our evening dinner date with Lauren, Matt, Christina, John and Daphne at Walt and Burley Restaurant in Kingston area. Lauren and Christina are Ritva’s late brother-in-law’s nieces and Matt is Lauren’s husband and John and Daphne are their kids. Matt works for the Ministry of Defense in procurement department. He showed me a picture of a huge ship he had just bought, or was it the government that bought if? We had a great time and finally some good food. I had Prawn Tacos and Ritva had 300 g Scotch Stake.

Urban waterfront skyline glowing at sunset — The Lake Burley Griffin, an artificial lake located in the heart of Australia’s capital city, Canberra. The light-colored tower rising in the center is the famous National Carillon, located on Queen Elizabeth II Island. The bridge visible in the photo is the Kings Avenue Bridge.

Sunday morning’s plan was to have an early start and drive back to the coast soon after. Change of plans! Heli called to say that her brother Matti and his wife Jenny had just got back into town and would love to meet us. The meeting was set up for the afternoon, and we had some time to go sightseeing. After some googling we decided on the Old Bus Depot Market to start the day. Right after entering the market, we saw a piece of Finnish history at an antiques stall: a milk jug from a famous factory called Arabia. We already had a similar jug at home, but this was a smaller one. And it was only 45 AUD (25 €), so we ended up rescuing it back to Finland. Then we had cannolis for breakfast. Yum! After the treat we checked out the rest of the stalls. One stall had beautiful paintings, but they were too big and expensive for us, but just before the exit we found indigenous paintings from Yidinji artist Greg Joseph. We really liked his style—and his prices—and ended up buying one piece with a lizard on it. He was a good salesman. He said that the lizard was a totem animal for his children’s mother’s family, and that the kids inherited the totem animal from their mother. Nice story. He said he was from the area around Cairns. We also thought that the painting was small enough to fit into our luggage, but we were mistaken. I had to take out the staples, roll up the painting and store it in a cardboard tube. And I was able to save the frame as well and put it all back together easily at home.

Artist Showcases Vibrant Indigenous-Inspired Artwork Collection — Artist Showcases Vibrant Indigenous-Artwork Collection

Then it was time for a new visit to Australian War Memorial, and we even got in this time. You could spend days there. It is huge and there are so many details in all the displays. And once again we were reminded how little we know about countries and their history, especially those that are not close to us. Having been a member of the Commonwealth, it is understandable that Australia has been involved in many wars and conflicts involving Great Britain. But that is not even close to covering all wars. There are too many to mention. Wall of Honour for those killed in action, with its poppies, was sad and truly memorable.

Not being too lucky with our restaurant choices we ended up in the same restaurant, Walt and Burley, as previous night. Beef burgers really hit the spot. Time to meet cousin Matti and Jenny. They live in the suburb of Coomes, that was not far at all. We had nice time getting to know each other and talking about family. Matti and Jenny nearly bought a holiday house in Finland because Matti loves cross country skiing. They were planning on spending half a year in each country. But then came Covid that spoiled the plan. At least for now. Matti had spent his working career in military and then in some type of special forces in police. He told some hair-raising stories about his career, but I would have to kill you if I revealed them . At one point he spent 6 months protecting someone 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, without ever being able to visit home. And had to sleep with shotgun on
his night table. The person protected was a witness in drug trafficking case. She survived and testified.

I think this is the full account of our visit. I hope you made it to the end. I apologize for the number of photographs; you can expect to see some more, as I have now edited them.

Text Mara Sillanmäki

Lens-Artist Challenge #414 – Harmony

Landscapes, lens-artists, Photography

Ann-Christine has us thinking about HARMONY this week, and do we so need in these times. The quote she ended with is so good that I am sharing it and placing it at the top. She gave us a set of beautiful reference images and a lot of freedom to interpret the theme, with just one condition: seven images should be enough to express our idea of harmony. I experience harmony mainly in nature; I’m not religious, yet I still sense a certain harmony in churches, so I included one photograph from there, knowing many people feel it in that space. And I have to confess I broke the rule and slipped in an extra image, because animals are such a comfort and bring so much harmony into our lives.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony
– Mahatma Gandhi

There are all these elements, but I still feel that there is harmony in colors all muted. A wide coastal landscape is captured at sunset, with the sun glowing through layered clouds above a calm, gently rippling sea. Jagged rocky shoreline and small tidal pools stretch across the middle ground, while sandy paths, dense green shrubs, and tall golden grasses frame the foreground. The warm amber and violet sky creates a tranquil, atmospheric mood,

Ocean waves meet the shore in a steady rhythm, their sound carrying a quiet sense of harmony, don’t you think. Turquoise and deep teal water sweep toward the land in several parallel bands of foaming white surf. The textured swells form delicate, shifting patterns across the scene, while a thin strip of rugged, golden-brown coastal vegetation lines the bottom edge. The cool blue-green tones play against the warmth of the shoreline, creating a seascape that feels both dynamic and peacefully calm

harmony-2 — Turquoise ocean waves churn into white foam along a rugged coastal cliff.

A quiet, fog-shrouded woodland framed by a large eucalyptus tree on the right and sweeping, narrow-leaved branches overhead. Dense white mist obscures the distant trees and softens the muted gray-green landscape, creating a serene, dreamlike atmosphere where every tone feels gently in harmony. In the foreground, a dirt and leaf-covered path leads toward a low chain barrier and metal gate, with small garden beds and a faint red sign emerging through the haze, all held together by the same subdued, balanced color palette. This shot has a soft, atmospheric photographic style that feels calm and deeply cohesive.

harmony-5 — A misty woodland path disappears into the fog beneath towering eucalyptus trees.

I find harmony in the once again softened colors. A solitary broad-canopied tree stands on a sunlit, dry golden-grass hillside beneath a hazy blue sky. A rustic wire fence with dark wooden posts runs across the foreground, while softly layered rocky hills appear in the distant background, evoking a quiet, pastoral countryside.

harmony-7 — A lone tree stands atop a sun-baked golden hillside above a rustic fence and distant mountain.

I’ve always felt that churches hold a kind of quiet harmony, and this richly decorated historic chapel is no exception. Seen through the dark, carved wooden doors, it feels almost like stepping into another time. The colors are warm and a little faded, the vaulted ceiling and arches covered in old frescoes, gilded borders, floral motifs, and painted religious or mythological scenes that seem to whisper their own stories. Patterned marble panels line the walls, cool and solid, while a crystal chandelier glows softly above a small altar and framed painting. Rows of modern black chairs sit neatly on the black-and-cream checkered floor, a simple, contemporary counterpoint to all the Renaissance-style ornament. In this contrast between the ornate and the everyday, I find a strange calm, as if the space is quietly holding every voice, every silence, in balance.

harmony-9 — An ornate historic chapel with frescoed arches, patterned walls, a crystal chandelier, and rows of chairs arranged before the altar.

At my summer house I love the misty night, its quiet, the nature and I are in harmony. In this tranquil landscape photograph, a dense mixed forest lines the edge of a mist-covered meadow as dusk settles in. The treetops create a dark, textured band stretching across the lower middle of the frame, while a soft, pale fog glides over the grass in the foreground. Above it all, the sky shifts from deep gray-blue into a warm, glowing gold at the horizon, wrapping the scene in a serene and atmospheric stillness.

harmony-6 — A misty forest meadow glows beneath a warm golden sunset, creating a serene and atmospheric landscape.

I’m no fan of winter, but I have to admit there’s a strange beauty in the details: the way the snow pulls a white blanket over everything and quiets it all down. Here, a single delicate white flower stands in close-up, its tall stem sprinkled with tiny, frost-like blossoms and fine, crystalline textures that look almost unreal. The bloom stays sharp and clear while the background fades into soft grays, whites, and muted greens, and the whole scene feels cool, wintry, and a little otherworldly.

harmony-10 — A delicate wildflower covered in sparkling frost, set against a softly blurred winter landscape.

Veikka and Tinka, our cats, were in such harmony together; it was so lovely to see. This shows them cuddled together in warm sunlight beside a bright window. In the foreground, Tinka, the dark brown tabby, rests with her eyes closed, while Veikka, the white-and-orange one behind her, gently grooms her, eyes softly shut and pink tongue just visible. In this photo, the soft cream, golden, and brown tones create a peaceful, affectionate mood, and the softly blurred indoor background makes their textured fur and intimate little world feel even more tender and precious.

harmony-11 — Two cats cuddle by the window as one sweetly grooms the other in the warm sunlight.

What a show Beth’s bridge challenge generated last week. Great images you all shared, wonderful bridges from around the world. I hope you will join Ann-Christine’s challenge, this week too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so people can find your challenge entries.

Next week, Anne will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to find out more about the challenge.

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.

Weathered Doors and Windows of Argyroupoli, Crete

Photography, street photography, Travel, Traveling Crete

I’m happy to still have photos of doors and windows from Grete, as they allow me to take part in both Thursday Doors and Monday Windows; for me, these themes are closely linked. I also have some images from our trip to Norway I will be sharing. Currently, we find ourselves making frequent trips between our home and summer place due to the renovations at our summerhouse, and with all the preparations needed before construction began—especially the extensive tree removal—we now need to chop and stack what’s been cut, which is quite time-consuming as my husband is mainly doing it by himself due to my health issues. The rainy weather isn’t making this task any easier, meaning there’s little opportunity to travel in search of new doors and windows. Hence, I’ve been leaning on my archives.

Walking down a narrow, sloping residential street in Argyroupoli, that is framed by a weathered historic stone building and a newer peach-colored apartment house. I noticed the aged structure has mottled plaster, exposed masonry, wooden doors and windows, a deep stone balcony supported by carved brackets, and an arched ground-floor entrance, this I notice first, while the neighboring home has metal-railed balconies, red roof trim, awnings, satellite dishes, and multiple air-conditioning units. Bicycles, a scooter, potted plants, and a green door add signs of everyday life, contrasting with the crumbling textures and muted beige, gray, and terracotta palette. The low-angle composition emphasizes the close, layered architecture and conveys the character of an old, lived-in Grete neighborhood.

Argyroupoli, Crete-96 — A weathered historic stone building stands beside a modern home on a narrow, sloping street.

Argyroupoli, Crete-97 — A weathered wooden door set beneath a rustic stone arch, revealing the character of an old building.

Argyroupoli, Crete-98 — A weathered arched wooden door with iron ring handles and the number 7, set in an aged stone wall.

The Lush Forests of Aavasaksa

Captures from Finland, Photography

How enchanting is this vibrant northern forest scene, embraced by tall pine and birch trees beneath a breathtaking blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds! The lush green undergrowth and young conifers harmoniously blend with Aavasaksan hill, celebrated for its strikingly rugged terrain. This unique landscape tells a story of ancient eroded beaches and rugged formations looming above. As you ascend to the higher elevations, the resilient vegetation mirrors the tenacity of harsh pine forests and rocky woodlands, filled with hardy dwarf shrubs like bilberry, lingonberry, and heather, alongside a rich variety of mosses and lichens—most notably, the delicate reindeer lichen. In the foreground, you’ll find exposed rocks and a narrow rocky path, while a prominent dead and bare tree stands in poignant contrast to the flourishing woodland that envelops it. The verticality of the composition and its vibrant, natural hues invoke a deep sense of connection to the wild, dramatic wilderness all around us.

Aavasaksa-4 — A lush forest trail winds through pine trees and green undergrowth beneath a sky filled with clouds.

Aavasaksa-5 — A striking dead tree rises through a lush forest beneath a sky filled with white clouds.

The Graceful Red Fox in Finnish Nature

animals, Photography

Last summer, as we drove through the landscapes of Finland’s Lapland, with the serene beauty surrounding us. Suddenly, we spotted a graceful Red Fox sitting peacefully by the roadside, its vibrant orange fur contrasting beautifully with the lush greenery. We decided to stop the car,we grabbed our cameras and managed to capture a few stunning shots of the fox, whose piercing eyes seemed to observe us curiously. Just as we thought the moment couldn’t get any better, the fox gracefully stood up and began to stroll across a forest road, disappearing into the woods.