This week I have thought about my learning curve, and one of the most interesting aspects is monochrome adjustments. I have come a long way from the first attempts .
At the canal
I posted these in color in a previous post few days ago. This how they look in monochrome.
I was encouraged to stay in my hammock in the comments of my last post. So I did as recommended 😀 Now I can point out how hard work it is to pick blueberries 🫐… 😂
Hard at work. He picked about 5 liters from our own yard.
Sunday morning I went to have coffee in the city and by the sea and what did I see, a lady in red. Just a girl, but lady in red sounded so much better ♥️😀
Margaret is hosting Leanne’s Monochrome Madness this week. She thought it would be fun to explore those shots which, by accident, design, or clever editing, are monochrome in any colour but black and white. Let’s go…
Here I am going… I once again looked up the definition; photograph or picture developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one colour.
My photo choices capturing varying shades of a single color, including green oak leaves, purple lilac flowers, and blue ocean scenes, exemplifying the concept through various serene landscapes.
A close-up of vibrant green oak leaves, showcasing different shades of green for the Monochrome Madness.
Purple lilac flowers representing monochrome in shades of color.
A serene depiction of the ocean in varying shades of blue, exemplifying a monochromatic color scheme.
Here are some monochrome edits, still not using black and white
A serene monochrome scene featuring a sailboat near a lighthouse, capturing varying shades of blue.A serene view of Blue mountains captured in varying shades of blue
A serene forest scene shrouded in mist, showcasing varying shades of green.
A monochrome landscape featuring varying shades of green, showcasing a mix of lush and barren trees against a cloudy sky.
I tried different edits to this decoration I have in my garden; originally, it is a candle holder – decoration. However, over time, I noticed I don’t burn candles so often, so I use its visual appeal and blend it more harmoniously with the surrounding plants. Now the candle holder is a focal point on the table under the oak tree. Here are some edits of the same subject, sharing them just because I took and edited them 🙂
In the midst of the lush greenery, the vibrant red cap pops out, drawing the eye like a beacon against the backdrop of woods greens. This is a joint post for Six-Word Saturday 7.19.25 and #SimplyRed19 . Hopefully it is just enough red.
My grandson with a red cap enjoying blueberries in lush greenery and trees at Porkkala
When you feel the need for a spiritual renewal, adopt the captivating practice of going to bed early and waking with the sun. Picture the gentle embrace of morning light as it touches your skin, granting you a tranquil moment while the world stirs to life around you. This calm ‘connected’ sensation is akin to enchanting stardust that can brighten your whole day, regardless of how chaotic it may turn.
This week, we’re excited to have SH join us as our Guest Host and are reflecting on the importance of our cherished quiet moments.
I fondly recall summers spent at our summer house when my boys were young; those warm mornings were pure joy! I would sneak out before anyone else, relishing my little slice of paradise on the patio with a steaming cup of coffee. The birds would fill the air with their uplifting melodies, and the leaves would sway gently in the sweet breeze. It truly became a beautiful oasis of tranquility, where I could enjoy my thoughts, free from demands—just me and a blissful silence before my three preteen whirlwinds burst onto the scene, ready for adventure. Those precious quiet hours were my secret strength, and let me tell you, finding joy in the delightful chaos was essential. After all, if you can embrace a morning of refreshing solitude, you can conquer anything those boys decide to throw your way!”
A serene lakeside view with a wooden walkway leading to calm waters and lush greenery, perfect for quiet reflection.
Quiet hours, often represented through serene photographs, capture the essence of stillness and peace in various environments. An image of a tranquil sunset over a quiet neighborhood can evoke feelings of calm,
A serene moment by the water as dawn breaks, evoking tranquility and reflection.
A serene misty landscape showcases hay bales resting peacefully in a tranquil field, evoking a sense of calm and solitude at dawn.
In libraries, the focused expressions of individuals deeply immersed in their studies highlight the importance of silence for creative and intellectual pursuits.
A serene library space showcasing individuals engaged in quiet study, highlighting the importance of tranquility for academic pursuits.
So important to grasp the special moments in life. Sitting on the grass with my husband and listening to the Bag Pipes as they pronounce the ending of a great day was one that I plan to hold on to forever.
Churches can be depicted with sunlit rooms and soft shadows, conveying a sense of hope and recovery,
A serene moment of reflection in an empty church, embodying the tranquility of quiet hours.
While empty parks at dawn invite viewers to appreciate the beauty of solitude.
A peaceful park scene at dawn, showcasing a serene atmosphere under the canopy of trees with a bench nestled among the leaves.
illustrating empty street
A solitary figure braves a heavy downpour on a quiet, rain-soaked street, evoking a moment of stillness amidst the chaos of nature.
Each photograph can tell a story of tranquility, inviting onlookers to reflect on the significance of quiet hours in fostering community harmony and personal well-being.
To wrap up this week’s post, I want to extend my gratitude to SH for being our Guest Host and for introducing such a beautiful topic that will surely provide us all with moments of tranquility. Don’t forget to check out his original post here and use the Lens-Artists Tag so we can find your contributions. I appreciate Ann-Christine for her lovely post and everyone who participated in it.. Lastly, I hope you to join us next week as Egidio once again guides us through his Through Brazilian Eyes site. Until then keep on smiling.
By the way, it is vacation time for us! For the next four weeks, I am looking forward to spending my days in the hammock, savoring the warm summer days that have finally arrived in Finland. I can’t wait to soak up every moment of this blissful summer escape!
A picturesque view of a red shed in a lush garden, seen through a rain-soaked window.
a red shed through a rain-soaked window.
I’m at my summer house, in the countryside, inside watching outside as the rain pours down the windows, creating a rhythm with the wind that makes everything feel peaceful. As I try to pass the time, I took a few photos, capturing the raindrops cascading down the glass, and had an ‘aha’ moment when I remembered that our shed, in the corner of the yard, is painted a red, which contrasts with the lush greenery surrounding it, just what I need for simply red today.
A cozy view from inside a summer house, looking through a rain-covered window to the lush greenery ..
Lovely sunsets have been rare this summer, as has warm weather. I can honestly say this summer so far has had no summer vibes. The warm sunny days have been few and far between, does not feel like summer has even begun. I know it’s green and it is light, still…
Well these are from the evening/ night at 11PM before we had a summer storm. This is the sky looking at the sunset as it set to the west.
It is amazing how different the sky colors are when facing south, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light plays beautifully with the atmosphere. The warm hues of orange, pink, and gold can create a breathtaking canvas when facing the lens to west, contrasting with the cooler shades of blue and purple that often dominate the nighttime south sky.
Thursday Doors July 3, 2025 Visiting the Tuhannen Tuskan Cafe , translates to “a thousand pains” or “a thousand sorrows” The cafe in Loviisa is often referred to in a more casual way, such as the Cafe of a Thousand Pains.
A rustic wooden door with a decorative wreath, showcasing traditional architecture.
I’m not going say this is a easy one, I seem to lean towards green and blue colors. I found some that I can start with, strawberries 🍓 are now in season.
Unexpectedly, the two vibrant orange poppy blooms brightened my garden, their cheerful colors radiating joy against the lush greenery surrounding them. I was thrilled to see them, as they infused the flowerbed with a sense of happiness and vitality. It felt like nature had presented me with a wonderfully delightful surprise.
vibrant orange poppy flowers against a lush green background. orange poppy
Sunday here was a very windy, but sunny day in end. I did wake up to the sound of thunder and lightning and very heavy rain. I should have gotten up to take a photo, but instead I just stayed in bed and listened to it.
That has nothing to do with the photos I am going to post 😀
Instead I am going to share few images from our Sunday lunch. We drove to a restaurant in Espoo we hadn’t been before , Ravintola Cru it’s located in a nice old building which I for some reason didn’t take a picture of 😀 but I did take one from the bakery across the street. Note, we enjoyed the food.