Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

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.

Pebbles in sunlight with water flowing over them

gravel roads

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I was playing with my photo, or should I say editing my images. I shoot in raw so I can easily play with the color tones and change the mood. Mostly I stay true to the actual photo. If I don’t I mostly bring it to in the open. I usually do not like over edited and color enhanced photos. If it is beautiful – it is that with out over doing it. There are lots of images like that in Instagram, the may look lovely. but realistic is long way from them.

As I’ve opened about that… lets go. The image above is the original photo. I have edited the light and contrast.

Below you can see too mood changes as I yellows and softened the greens to get a more autumn feel to it. The one on the right I added orange tones and blue tones to the green.. autumn also , but the mood is totally different.

Then there is the monochrome image. Time well spent editing ☺

Any thoughts about these, please share, I would love to have opinions on these.

Monochrome – gravel roads

Black and White photos

The road may be beautiful or ugly; it may be easy or hard, smooth or rough, it doesn’t matter; what matters most is where the road will take you!

Mehmet Murat ildan

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. Lin Yutang

I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Flow – river flow

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

The river makes the water flow. That’s how I live. I just let everything flow. Flow with the river.

Vitor Belfort

Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed. – Heraclitus

Flower of the day – fall phlox

Flowers

Last chance this year to take photos of fall phloxes or other commonly used names are, garden phlox, perennial phlox, summer phlox, and panicled phlox.

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

Lens-Artists Challenge #268 – Tell Us Why

lens-artists

Many thanks to Tina for this challenge.

She challenges us to choose up to a MAXIMUM OF TEN images which are your all-time favorites and tell us why you chose them.

I enjoyed looking through my archives to choose my favorite images. I have to say that I had really hard time picking the images. I had already a picked some images that I like to my blogs side banner. I noticed there are few that I chose here too. Some of my favorite shots .

Tina’s images for “Tell Us Why” are beautiful, check them out be inspired.

This image has the mood , an element that I enjoy catching. It is sea and clouds two topics that I love.

I took this on a supposed beach day in Florida, Del Ray Beach, that did not happen, instead I did get this

Again, I love the atmosphere in this night street shot, it was early October night, a bit of drizzle in the air as we walked in old town Nice, in France. I like the framing in this photo and the feeling of waiting that I sense in this photo.

Taken in Thailand in a temple in Phuket. This monk statue placed so that it looked at the mountains with well wishing bell hanging in front of it. Yes, Mood and I like how the photo is composed. If I would now edit it, I would remove the rope hanging that causes distraction.

Black and white still life from Verla It is a unique UNESCO World Heritage site that brings the turn of the 20th century to life. This is a detail from the THE MILL MUSEUM . I was given permit to take photos for a photograph exbibition that I had. This is one of my favorite shot of used cogwheels placed on the wall. The side window gave the shot beautiful light.

This is from Australia, taken from the twelve apostles. That coastline is so beautiful, I could have picked one of many shot I took there. I like the natural colors and the composition in this one, it is balanced and you can feel the cool wind.

I took this at the Helsinki Zoo as the brown bears were playing in the water. I le the movement and action in this animal photo. I like how the bears fits the frame and you can feel the energy they created in the moment.

This is from my home town of Kirkkonummi in Southern Finland. A road in afternoon light. The leading line of the gravel road and shadows from the low light gives it a mood and invite you to go t the light.

Composition and simplicity of the nature make this shot.

Well this one of my favorite shots of my husband, it fills the frame it is authentic in expression and you can see signs of life lived.

Sunset are lovely. spectacular color shows, but in my mind if you have something else also frame it is more interesting. This from Key West, Florida the sun setting and the pelican flying in front of a pier. The composition works and the silhouette’s of the background gives it depth.

Let’s end with a shot appropriate for the season. Colors, framing, leading lines make this shot.

The header is 10+1 it from Cape Verde . I love the colorful feeling of it the leisurely mood and I think the framing works. 🙂

Flower of the day – 24.9

Flowers

A field full of flowers, and the farmer had posted a sign with a permission to pick them up for free.

I on took pictures of them. Calendula flowers shine bright

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

They can’t take that away from me

People

They can’t take that away from me…

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No no they can’t take that away from me

Six words in a the title and photo to match – linked to Six Word Saturday at Debbie’s

Saturday Classics – 23092023

Captures from Finland, Saturday Classics

September In The Rain – that is what’s happening here now. Raining, really dark and gray, not the same mood as in the song. Two versions of the song Rod’s from 2010 and Guy’s 1937

I don’t know why I love these kinds tunes. Old soul maybe…

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.

Throwback Thursday – Mojave Desert

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

We all have these photos … throwback photos! Don’t we just… so many. It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.

This week (#TB Thursday). I was editing photos and for some unknown reason LR just kept taking me back to photos I took at Mojave Desert in Southern Nevada. I then took the time to have a fresh look at the photos. made few edits and Voilà – Here we are , some of the winding roads from the drive

The colors of the rock formations are really something so to name the place valley of fire is very appropriate

I do like these curve roads

Flower of the day – Cholla cactus

Flowers

This one I know – I think, my guess is Cholla 🌵cactus

The various species of Devil Cholla are all Club Cholla, so-called because they have club-shaped joints with well-defined tubercles. Devil Cholla have no sheaths on spines. All are low-growing, often forming thick mats that can be impenetrable. Spines come in all colors, but can be sharp as daggers.

Mojave Desert of southern Nevada is where I took these photos

Opuntia parishii
Desert: Mojave Desert of eastern California, southern Nevada and eastern Arizona
Height: Up to 4 inches
Joints: Obovoid segments up to an inch in diameter
Flowers: Lemon-yellow with greenish centers
Fruit: Fleshy, smooth, yellow, to 3 inches long
Elevation: 6,000-8,000 feet

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Lens Artists Challenge #267: Recharge

lens-artists

Guest host Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyes says he turns to nature to rejuvenate and asked us how we recharge our body’s’ batteries. I would have to agree to that, nature does that.

Music, art and good food and dessert and wine accompanied by friends.. got to love that.

This weekend is a good sample of recharging for me, if you have read any of my posts you know that I am a often at my summer house, like many other Finns are, away from the city, hassle and buzzle of everyday life. Outdoors, barbecue, sauna and glass of wine, maybe two. Nature surrounding us is it the forest, lakes, sea or fields , as in my case.

Driving this road already set the mood for the moments ahead. Below water as an element is recharging. I love the sea.

Animal’s well you got to love them. Veikka and Tinka are my most recent pets. Cuddle them and you relax as you hear them purr.

Forest, trees, well the lungs of the earth, they are so important at the prospect of recharging no matter what the season.

If you would like to participate weekly in Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

the smell of autumn fills you up

Captures from Finland, Nature

Six words in a the title and photo to match – linked to Six Word Saturday at Debbie’s

Saturday Classics – 16092023

Captures from Finland, Saturday Classics

I was yesterday watching a music program called, Vain elämää ( just life) were various artist do covers of each others music. The host of the day said a line that resonated with me, I used to listen this song a lot back when… I can’t make you love me.

I had to think a bit before it hit me as to who’s song this was, Bonnie Raitt. Adele has also made a cover of this song, but I do prefer the original. How about you?

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

Monochrome – Stairs

Black and White photos

It’s like climbing a staircase. I’m on the top of the staircase, I look behind me and I see the steps. That’s where I was.

Jeanne Moreau

The world is like a grand staircase, some are going up and some are going down.
Samuel Johnson

“No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp.”

~ Stella Young

Flower of the day – Peony

Flowers

This one I know – Flower of the day is peony, a pink one 🙂

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Enjoying September weather

Captures from Finland, Photography

September has been rather rainy, but today we have blue skies and lovely comfortable temperatures . I am enjoying my backyard and the sunshine

Rainy day

Captures from Finland, Photography

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“The sound of rain needs no translation.” – Alan Watts

“When it rains, the streets start to get deserted! And the rain has a special sympathy for those who wander in the street despite the rain!”

“The only thing I shall want for a rainy day will be my umbrella.”

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”
― Roger Miller

Flower a day – Deep Purple

Flowers

Flower of the day

I got a lovely bouquet from my husband and it had so many flowers in it, and I could name few, but some were just pretty flowers without a name tag to me, and well, that’s my approach to flowers anyways, if they are pretty it is good enough for me.

No facts this time either

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #266 – time

lens-artists, Photography

Donna has chosen Time as her theme.

Time can indeed be looked upon in many ways, here are some thoughts on time from greater minds than mine, to me time is so abstract and also so tangible.

So here are some thoughts on time and a photo to go along with it.

“Time and tide wait for no man.” – Geoffrey Chaucer

Woman walking in early morning low tide.

“Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin

sitting alone – feeling the lost time on his shoulders

“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’” – Lao Tzu

“Time is the wisest counselor of all.” – Pericles

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” – William Penn

“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” – C.S. Lewis

“Time is a great healer, but a poor beautician.” – Lucille S. Harper

The outside beauty can fade and wrinkle but the inner beauty remains.

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” – Theophrastus

“Time is what keeps everything from happening at once.” – Ray Cummings

From beginning to the end

Remember to link to your post and use the Lens-Artists tag in the reader section. Thanks Donna, I had such a hard time with this one.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Mushrooms pop up in the rain

Nature

My first post to the this challenge, six words in the title and photos to match it.

Posted as part of Six Word Saturday

Saturday Classics – 09092023

Captures from Finland, Saturday Classics

We are having a really misty morning, its nearly 11 and all is still under the misty. Don’t see no sun…

So, here are photos from this morning and song to go with them

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

Flower a day – Pink is the color

Flowers

Carnation

I think this is a pink carnation, I am not all that good with flower names.

No facts this time

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #265 – Black and White and Monochrome

Black and White photos, lens-artists, Photography

I’ve been into black and white photography for the longest time, so Anne Sandler’s challenge this week is really appreciated. Thanks, Anne!

Is monochrome black and white? Is black and white monochrome? You may be surprised at the answer. I was after I did some research. Here’s what I found.

Black and white is the result of only using black or white and shades of. The shades of meaning grayscale. Here are some black and white photographs.

I have always carried a torch for black and white photography 😂 I thought it went well with the header image .

Still life

Cities…

Then, well portraits in black and white are my all time favorite thing to do

Monochrome photos contain variations of only one color and nothing else. Meaning, different shades of one color like blue, red, green, etc. Here are some of my examples.

colored monochrome

Remember to link to your post and use the Lens-Artists tag in the reader section. Thanks Anne, I love to create black and white images.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Saturday Classics – 02092023

Saturday Classics

Harvest moon, we had one last night. Super moon, but here due to the weather it was behind the clouds

Lovely song, I do like it. One of my favorites

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

Flower a day – Hydrangea

Flowers

Hydrangea macrophylla

The Japanese are famous for their mesmerizing gardens and revolving stories around their flowers. The hydrangea is no exception: legend has it that a Japanese emperor gifted blue hydrangeas to the family of a girl he loved to make up for neglecting her.

I got a lovely bouquet from a friend and the main flowers was this colorful hydrangea. Loved the details and colors of the pedals. It’s said that including hydrangeas in flower arrangements invites good fortune into one’s home. Purple hydrangeas are said to be particularly lucky as they symbolize abundance and prosperity.

Some facts

For one type known as bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), you can change the color of their flowers by adjusting the soil pH with soil amendments. The more acidic the soil, the bluer your hydrangeas will turn out. The more alkaline, the pinker your hydrangeas will be.

The hydrangea represents gratitude, grace and beauty. It also radiates abundance because of the lavish number of flowers and the generous round shape. Its colors symbolize love, harmony and peace..

Hydrangeas don’t have petals.

Those beautiful petals aren’t petals at all. They are sepals, which are leaves that protect the flower bud. Only after they age do they turn from green to the pigmented colors you see.