Photography – Page 28 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

November in Finland

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.

the falling leaves cover the ground

Photography

Linked to Six Word Saturday at Debbie’s here

Street photography – a quick stop

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.

People in hurry, but still have time for a quick stop – at fast-food restaurant. The contrast is the setting in this old building and the Burger King that is there. What caught my attention was how the light showcased the beauty of the wall details and the light streaming from the chairs.

Two takes color and black and white, which one works best? I myself prefer the color one this time.

Fire

Photography, Still life

FIRE .. yes, its time for candles

Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Street photography – in a rush

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.

People in hurry, no time to stop. The contrast of the man in a hurry and the man by the wall with his dog create a contrast in this shot. And the tourist walking … is dropped into their world.

Two takes color and black and white, which one works best?

Street photography – Side walk cafe

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.

People in hurry, no time to stop. Or enjoying a moment. Same place, different time of the day

Purple lights

Interiors, Photography

How hard is it to find purple in your photos that are not flowers, in my case hard. Had to dig deep into memories and archive. I remembered this church concert in Mikael Agricola Church with purple lightning.

Posted for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

Street photography – crowded street

Black and White photos, 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.

Lady in white stood out amongst the of people dressed mostly in dark clothes in Florida during a art festival

Also posted for CWWC -Any which way with people

Street photography – silhouettes

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.

In Helsinki library-the softness of the window gives the people on the move great contrast the silhouettes look crisp. The back-lit light made this shot for me.

Street photography – waiting

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.

In Helsinki library- I saw this man waiting – alone for company and I liked how he had placed his hand on his chest. The back-lit light made this shot for me.

Monochrome – books

Interiors, Photography, Still life

Today is 10 October, birthday of the writer Aleksis Kivi; the occasion is also celebrated as the Day of Finnish Literature

Aleksis Kivi, born as Alexis Stenvall, is considered to be the national author of Finland. He was a Finnish writer, playwright, and poet who lived from 1834 to 1872. Kivi’s most famous work is his novel called “Seven Brothers” (Seitsemän veljestä), which is widely regarded as the first significant novel written in the Finnish language. Kivi’s writing often depicted rural life in Finland, showcasing the struggles and joys of everyday people. His contributions to Finnish literature have had a lasting impact, and he is still celebrated as a pioneer of Finnish national literature.

Flying the flag is a great and dignified way to express joy and emphasise a day of celebration. Flying the flag is also a great way of showing respect or expressing sorrow. Finland has a rather tolerant flag flying culture, although a certain degree of sombreness is connected to flying the flag. I

In Finland we do not have our flag in the poles all the time, we have special day when we have it and even then it is up only on official flag days and national flag days designated in the calendar. The flag may be flown on other days as well. The Finnish flag should be flown between prescribed times. The decree stipulates that it should be hoisted at eight in the morning and lowered at sunset. However, in summer the flag can be kept flying until 21.00.

Street photography – cafe

Black and White photos, 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.

Helsinki at night – looking into a cafe seeing people enjoying the company of friends.

Autumn II

Photography

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

Autumn: a tapestry of vibrant hues and gentle transitions, where nature bids summer adieu and welcomes the season of reflection and harvest.

Autumn

Photography

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

Autumn colors paint a breathtaking masterpiece on nature’s canvas. As the crisp air descends, the foliage transforms into a vibrant symphony of oranges, yellows, and reds. The once lush green leaves now burst with warmth and enchantment. Each tree becomes a glorious work of art, showcasing the beauty of transition. Take a moment to immerse yourself in this kaleidoscope of hues, as nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the season of harvest and reflection.

Someone left a broken kicksled outside ready for the winter

Darker clouds started to gather to the sky

Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Have to be careful

Nature, Photography

This summer/ autumn the mushrooms have been really popping up, I don’t remember when we have had this much of them pop up in our yard. I Don’t recognize them from each other, so I don’t pick them up. I take photos instead and buy the ones I eat, better safe than sorry .

The white fly mushroom (Amanita virosa) is deadly poisonous. Dangerous cell toxins damage internal organs: kidneys, liver, heart muscle, brain and blood vessels.

The white fly mushroom is completely white, and the color does not change from contact or other handling. The cap is egg-shaped when young, then bell-shaped and almost flat when old. It is sticky when wet and silky shiny when dry, and slightly yellowed in the middle when older. The gills are permanently white.

The leg is also completely white. Its upper part has the characteristic sign of a fly agaric: a ragged and hanging ring. A good sign is also the thick, lumpy basal part of the foot surrounded by a sheath.

you can find them everywhere – don’t know this one

fly agaric have been popping up some of them are rather big

I did some search about these mushrooms, and was surprised that they are editable. The cap of the honeydew(Armillaria borealis) mushroom has clear scales, the ring is strong and effervescent. The scales of the tadpole mushroom, on the other hand, are insignificant, its leg is club-like and often dirty yellow. The ring of the species is thin and pendulous and often disappears completely.

The way the species grow is also different: the mushroom grows in dense clumps on the stump.

Flow – river flow 2

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

Water, the essence of life, flows endlessly through the rocky crevices and gentle streams. It is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and transformation. Just like water, we too must learn to flow through life’s challenges, gracefully navigating the twists and turns that come our way.

Imagine a babbling brook, its gentle melody soothing your soul. The water, sparkling in the sunlight, dances over pebbles, creating a symphony of nature’s music. It reminds us to embrace the beauty and serenity of the present moment.

As water cascades down a waterfall, it reminds us of the power and strength within us. With every drop that falls, it signifies the potential for change and growth. Just as the water carves its path through solid rock, we too can carve our own destiny, shaping our lives through determination and perseverance.

So let the flowing water be a constant source of inspiration. May it remind you to adapt, to embrace change, to find strength in the face of adversity, and to let your spirit flow freely. Like a river, may you navigate through life with grace and purpose, leaving your mark on the world.