Photography – Page 24 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Lens Artists Challenge #278: Unique

This week Any wants us to showcase unique. What is unique.

My husband, my children and grandkids are unique to me. That is what first came to my mind. Life changing. One of a kind. I am not going to post photos of them, even thought that was the first thought.

The word unique has different meanings depending on the context.

being the only one of its kind
being without a like or equal
distinctively characteristic or peculiar
able to be distinguished from all others of its class or type

For example, a unique signature is the only one of its kind and cannot be copied by anyone else, see my header 😀 . A unique achievement is unparalleled and incomparable to any other. Things that are very remarkable or unusual. Sometimes, people use the word unique to describe themselves or their qualities. They may want to emphasize what makes them different from others, or what makes them stand out in a positive way.

Nothing what have I photographed is that unique, that is something I really think, i an sure someone else has capture them also, some better than me some less so, but in a a way they are unique none of them are totally the same. Here are my attempts of capturing something unique – to me.

Watching the waves , Each wave is unique every time, the movement, colors…so on. So yes here is a photo of waves.

Beauty is in everyone’s eyes, also, so is what we think is unique

California hosts the most unique trees , the redwoods. Redwood trees are some of the tallest and largest trees in the world. While there are three types of the trees in the world, sequoia and sequoiadendron are the type found in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, I was at awed by the nature in Sequoia

The art nature does… so unique. Beautiful details, every stone is different, frost on the glass, flowers pedals..

Why are we in a lookout for sunsets, because they are all unique. Glorious colors

I would like to think that my art is unique 🙂 Mixed media, statues, oil paintings and aquarelle are few mediums I have dappled with

If you’re new to Lens-Artists and would like to join, follow this link for more information.

Last Photo for November 2023

Nature, Photography

Last Photo for November 2023 that’s what bushboys world wants to see with following rules and tags

Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.

This one is from my Sony and a macro lens of the colorful berries, but my focus went a stray…

The view from my bedroom was taken with my iPhone 14, just because I spotted some blue sky, it was on the 29th.

So let’s see what you have for **

The rules are simple:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th November or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do

#TheLastPhoto and #LastOnTheCard

Monochrome – Abstracts

Black and White photos, Photography

Leanne’s post title, Something Abstract, gave me an idea…

How does this explanation strike you ? This image is a visual representation of the complexity and chaos of life. It shows how we are all connected by thin threads of fate, but also how we can get lost in the maze of choices and consequences. The image evokes a sense of mystery and wonder, as well as a feeling of isolation and confusion.

This image has been processed to create an abstract effect. A random noise function to create small dots and lines on the image. The result is a high-contrast image that resembles a tangled web of lines and dots.

The beauty and fragility of nature. As if it is saying goodbye to the summer. The image is blurred, creating a dreamy and nostalgic effect.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Frosty window view

Photography

Yesterday, the last tail of the sunset seen through the slightly frosty window.

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Lens Artists Challenge #277: empty Spaces

lens-artists, Photography

This week Patti wants us to look for empty spaces. Empty Spaces. Literal or figurative, conveying aloneness . I found this to be a great pick from Patti’s post.

Some of you may be wondering if empty space is the same as negative space. TTh e quick answer from an expert is that they are similar” Negative space is thought of as an image with a lot of empty space...While this is how negative space is most often used, this is not the only way….A negative space image occurs when the areas surrounding the subject are peripheral. They almost blend into the background. This causes you to focus even more on the subject.

Thanks for the inspiration, here are my choices for the week

Empty spaces are the gaps or voids between objects, words, or sounds. They can have different meanings and effects depending on the context and the perspective of the observer. Some people may see empty spaces as opportunities for creativity, exploration, or reflection. Others may perceive them as sources of anxiety, loneliness, or boredom.

Empty spaces can also be used to create contrast, balance, or harmony in art, design, or music. In some cases, empty spaces can be more powerful or expressive than the filled ones.

Desert with mirage, moon, desert road

Empty beach

Chairs, empty spaces …. alone.

Driving from Nevada to California there are lots of empty spaces.

Empty space in life…often we plan and forget to live, or live in the past.

If you’re new to Lens-Artists and would like to join, follow this link for more information.

Behind

People, Photography

He presses his finger against the glass
And marvels at the colors that swim past
He wonders what they think and feel
And if they know he’s watching them
He wants to join them in their underwater realm
He is happy with joy

Debbies One Word Sunday: Behind

Lens Artists Challenge #276: Looking Up; Looking Down

lens-artists, Photography, Traveling Australia

This week James of Jazzibee wants us to look up and down; I will demonstrate that’s what I’ve done several times:-)

To see small things you often need to look down. I was really happy find this penguin in its natural habitat – in the nature. A crab on the rocks at a beach, and as well as this little green frog. Turtles. To see Koalas in the nature we found ourselves looking up.

This was from my previous post – but I am looking down 👇

Cities are great places to look up or down. The ones below are from Melbourne.

Sea – Ocean, flowing water, waves.. love, just love watching it

These are taken below or underneath the subject – architectural design choices.

Up and down that’s were your eyes go when looking for something to photograph.

eerie yet captivating scenes

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

The misty air envelops the landscape, amongst the haze, the silhouettes of towering trees emerge, standing tall like guardians of the monochrome world. Their branches, devoid of leaves, reach out like skeletal fingers, creating an eerie yet captivating scene.

Do you agree the absence of color seems to enhance the mystical ambiance, as if nature itself has decided to paint this particular moment in shades of gray.

The mist weaves through the branches and settles on their trunks, giving them an otherworldly aura that is both haunting and beautiful. In this misty monochrome, the trees stand as solitary figures, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.

Mist – ethereal veil on the moss-covered hill

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

The gray mist gently settled over the landscape, casting an ethereal veil on the moss-covered hill behind your home. Despite the gloomy November weather, nature’s touch added a touch of beauty to the scene.

On this misty day, as you gazed upon the hill, the vibrant hues of green from the shrubs stood out, creating a vivid contrast against the muted backdrop. The moss, adorned with its emerald carpet, seemed to thrive in the dampness, adding a touch of tranquility to the atmosphere.

Amidst the shades of brown, the ferns gracefully displayed their weathered elegance. Their delicate fronds, now tinged with earthy tones, created an enchanting juxtaposition against the mist and falling leaves.

In this serene setting, the mist transformed the hill into a picturesque scene that captivated your sight. The occurrence of such beauty in November reminded you of nature’s ability to create moments of awe in every season.

Lens-Artists Challenge #274 – Filling the frame

lens-artists, Photography, Traveling Australia

This week, Anne challenges us with, Filling the Frame.

Filling the frame in photography is a technique that can have different effects depending on how you use it.

It can help you to direct the viewer’s focus to your main subject, by eliminating distractions and negative space. It can also help you to accentuate simplicity in your composition, by highlighting the shapes, colors, textures, and details of your subject. It can also help you to create emotional impact in your image, by making your subject appear larger, closer, and more intimate.

Some of the techniques for filling the frame are: You can get closer to your subject, either physically or by using a zoom lens, to fill the frame with more of your subject. You can also crop your image during editing, to remove unwanted elements and adjust the composition.

Filling the frame in photography is a versatile and powerful technique that can enhance your images in many ways. However, it is not always the best choice for every situation. Sometimes, you might want to leave some negative space or background in your image, to create a sense of context, depth, or contrast.

I already posted this once, it is a very recent shot and I am very happy with it . I used crop technique to get the result. As with the shots below of fruits, berries and vegetables You can also use a macro lens to fill the frame with small subjects, such as flowers, insects, or jewelry.

These are taken below or underneath the subject – architectural design choices.

Traffic below

I feel this is a full frame even though a small part of the plant is in focus.

My last set is portraits.

last yellow birch leaves of november

Landscapes, Photography

Six-Word Saturday’s 11.11.23

Street Photography – crosswalk

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

On the crossroad…in Hong Kong.

Crossroads are places where roads intersect and people have to make decisions. They can also be metaphors for important moments in life, where one has to choose between different options and face the consequences.

Crossroads are the tests of fate , where we must choose our path and wait, for the unknown to reveal itself and show us if we chose well or not.

Some crossroads are clear and easy, others are dark and messy . But all of them are part of our journey and shape us into who we are meant to be

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Street Photography – in a hurry

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

In a Hurry on an Escalator

As the escalator propels forward, an interesting dynamic unfolds. Watch closely, and you’ll observe people in a hurry, their faces etched with determination, striding onto the moving steps. Their impatience fuels their urgency, causing them to bob and weave through the crowd.

it’s fascinating to witness the blend of efficiency and chaos. Some embrace the escalator as an opportunity to slow down, leisurely taking in the surroundings. Others view it as a race, attempting to reach the summit before their peers. How about embracing the escalator as a —a chance to catch our breath.

So, my fellow escalator travelers, let us take a collective breath and relish the journey, even in the midst of our hurried pace.

Marina on a November day

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

I always liked to visit the marina on gray November days. There was something about the contrast between the white boats and the gloomy sky that fascinated me. The marina was usually lively and crowded, but on those days it was almost empty. The only people I saw were some boat owners, checking on their vessels and doing some maintenance and few people on a walk.

The sky is gray, the water is dull and the air is cold. I see the boats are moored, the sails are furled , the marina is quiet with hardly anyone around. But I don’t mind, I like it here.

These photos I took using my mobile phone and then proceeded to enhance them using the Lightroom mobile app. By transforming the gray tones into a delightful shade of blue, I managed to infuse the photos with a much lighter and uplifting mood.

Monochrome – Flowers

Black and White photos, Photography

Flowers in monochrome are a fascinating subject for photography, art, and design. They can create a dramatic contrast, a subtle elegance, or a mood of mystery. Monochromatic flowers can also inspire creative expressions.

Flowers in monochrome are not just black and white they have a spectrum of shades that reflect the light- they are not silent or dull. They capture the essence of shape and texture.

posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

November in Finland

Captures from Finland, Photography

November in Finland, a world of gray,
Where autumn whispers its final farewell,
Leaves relinquish their vibrant display,
And nature succumbs to the winter’s spell.

The air is crisp, with a biting chill,
As frosty breath dances upon the breeze,
The sun, a timid presence on the hill,
Casting feeble rays through the barren trees.

The days grow shorter, the nights grow long,
As darkness blankets the land in its embrace,
A melancholic hymn in nature’s song.

Yet amidst the gloom, a flicker of light,
As candles glow in windowsills,
Warmth and coziness fill the bitter night,
A sanctuary from the winds that blow.

November in Finland, a somber sight,
A season of reflection, a time for respite,
Where nature’s cycle finds solace in solitude.

Lens-Artists Challenge #274 – Asymmetry

lens-artists, Photography, Traveling Australia

Face is the first thing that came to mind, we are all a bit lopsided, right. It has been demonstrated in photo manipulations that symmetric face is odd. I have no photo for this or the interior one, but they came to mind first about the word asymmetrical.

In fact, we’d argue that asymmetrical (yet balanced) rooms are among the most interesting, unique, and elevated spaces. With an asymmetrical approach, you need to reject the literal, mirror-image equilibrium and seek out balance in more abstract terms.

We are exploring asymmetry with Donna. I liked this – Asymmetry – an informal sense of balance.

I really don’t think about any style when taking a photo, I only think about a composition that is pleasant to my eye. In this post I am sharing photos from Brisbane.

My first image is of The Brisbane River is the longest river in South-East Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay on the Coral Sea

These are taken below or underneath the subject – architectural design choices.

Traffic below

Traffic , this is for certain not symmetrical 🙂

My cousin took us all around Brisbane, he knew the town and all great spots for photos and as he had been builder on many of the buildings we saw, he had so much knowledge about them, This place offered a great framed view of the city. But I think I got it right in terms of these not being symmetric, but the opposite.

concrete blogs by the sea.

My last one is an image of flowers by the beach on a misty morning

Distant

Landscapes, Photography, Traveling Australia

Seen from distance and above from the highest building in Brisbane.

Debbies One Word Sunday: Distant

Elk or a moose

Captures from Finland, Cities, Photography

I took this yesterday though a window, enjoying the moose or elk on the sidewalk in Matinkylä, Espoo. It was late afternoon so the it was already a bit dark. Are you surprised if I say gray? I did not a have camera with me so I took this on my mobile and edited it on Lightroom that I have on my mobile. So this is really a Cellpic 🙂 I did three edits, in the first one I added light and enhanced the gray tones.

The two others are more real to the actual colors of the moment, One I added light and the other There is quite a bit of vignette to bring your focus to the center. That one is the most accurate of the light and tones. It is amazing how editing can change a shot.

Is it an elk? Is it a moose? If you’re in Finland, the answer is “BOTH”! The iconic, majestic forest dweller is known as a moose in North America and an elk in Europe. To make matters even more confusing, elk in North America is used for an entirely different animal – a kind of deer.

Cellpic Sunday

Gray days of November, so dreary

Nature, Photography

Gray days of November, oh so dreary,
Dampened spirits, and a heart full of drear.
The skies are gray, the winds they do howl,
As if the world itself were lost in a droll.

The trees stand bare, their leaves long gone,
Their branches skeletal, a somber song.
The grass is parched, the flowers all gone,
A desolate landscape, a winter’s dawn.

The days are short, the nights are long,
A time of rest, but little song.
The world is quiet, still and cold,
As if the season’s chill had grown old.

But even in the gray, there’s beauty found,
A time for reflection, a time profound.
The world may be dull, but not the heart,
For in the gray days of November, we find our part.

So let us embrace the gray, and all its might,
For in the darkness, there is still a light.
A light that shines within our souls,
A beacon of hope, in the gray days of November’s role.

For Debbie’s Six Words Saturday.

Street Photography – food stand

Photography, street photography, Traveling Australia

Helsinki – esplanade last summer.

The popular Esplanade Park, fondly referred to as “Espa” among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. This Brazilian lady was selling food there the summer day I shot this photo. What caught my attention was the matching colors of the seller and the biker that had stopped by to chat.

Monochrome – the new yost type writer

Photography

The Yost is a remarkable machine which was quite popular in the late nineteenth century. It can be recognized immediately by its distinctive design features: the typebars are housed in an enclosed black cylinder, and the double keyboard emerges from a forest of long key stems.

The first typewriter bearing the Yost name came out in 1887. Later understroke models include the New Yost (1889), No. 4 (1895), and No. 10 (1902). A bar sometimes appears over the O in the name “Yost” on the typewriter’s decals, probably to indicate that it should be pronounced as a long O.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Street Photography – Old style public telephone box

Photography, street photography, Traveling Australia

While The Rocks is the site of Sydney’s oldest European settlement, there are attractions here that are also thoroughly contemporary. The Rocks, at the to bustling Circular Quay, here you can take in the charming, historic streets of this former convict settlement. And here I saw this old style public telephone box and a lady speaking on the phone next to it – a nice touch don’t you think ?

Circular Quay – The Rocks showing heritage elements like the red phone box

Bright Sunny Sunday

Photography, Still life

During the past weekend I have been trying to do presentable graphic art, monotype. I have to admit that I did not actually manage to do that. They fall in the category of not good not bad.

Saturday was bleak and grey, No inspiration coming from the weather then, but Sunny Sunday was cold but bright. I took these photos with my cellphone, mobile phone as I would say.

I have posted these for Cellpic Sunday , and One Word Sunday – I was Bright enough to post these together 🙂

Cooking oil is used to clean the color palette and the metal palette were we paint our creations

Street photography – towards the light

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

I did three versions of this woman walking towards the light at the end of this narrow alley. It is always amazing how the colors can change the mood, I shoot with raw so the colors can be edited really differently. I think I like the more yellow toned one best.

Street photography captures candid moments of daily life in public spaces. From bustling city streets to quiet suburban neighborhoods, we try to document the raw and unscripted moments that unfold around us. With an emphasis on capturing the essence of a scene or the emotions of the people within it, street photography offers a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the world we inhabit. Whether it’s a fleeting expression, a captivating composition, or an unexpected juxtaposition, street photography celebrates the beauty and intrigue found in everyday moments.

Street photography – Lahti Street view

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

Las weekend we drove to our summer house to turn the electricity off for the winter as we do not visit there during winter. My husband mowed the leaves, no need to rake them. Back story was that, them we drove to the city near by- Lahti. I took this autumn street shot as we walked down the road to get late lunch. On the hill on the other side you can see the City Hall of Lahti.

Located in the heart of Lahti, the city hall is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and an important part of Lahti’s cityscape. The monumental building, designed by architect Eliel Saarinen, was completed in 1912. The building stylistically represents late Art Nouveau. The over 100-year-old building, damaged in wars and fires, has been restored with respect to the original.