A day at the museum

Here are some artworks from the collection exhibition; A Question of Time reflects on the major questions of our time through art. The exhibition also offers fresh perspectives into Finland’s oldest and most extensive art collection and how it was built.

each gallery can be opened separately and click the image’s to see them larger

Doors to Ateneum

This year we did not fly to the sun vacation due to many reasons, so this week we have been visiting few museum. We went to see the collection exhibition; A Question of Time reflects on the major questions of our time through art. The exhibition also offers fresh perspectives into Finland’s oldest and most extensive art collection and how it was built.

Here are few doors from the Ateneum – Finnish National Gallery entrance and few doorways at the museum.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

old geranium is on grandma’s windowsill

Here is this week’s entry . There is a song in Finland called Tango pelargonia. It came to my mind when I rediscovered this image from Tammisaari.

The old geranium is on grandma’s windowsill
and under the window
sings a street singer.
He sings to my grandmother …

pelargonium on the windowsill

Monday Windows

Old barn door

As I drove through the rural area of Kirkkonummi, my eyes were drawn to an old barn building standing by the roadside, quietly whispering for attention through its weathered exterior. The barn, which has clearly weathered the passage of time, seemed to exude a quiet charm that piqued my curiosity, and I couldn’t resist the urge to pull over and capture its essence.I spent some time capturing the details of the barn doors. Surrounded by the enchanting hues of autumn foliage, the scene evoking a sense of nostalgia and peacefulness.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Monochrome – clouds

Clouds are a timeless muse, offering a canvas of ever-changing patterns and colors to capture. Whether they serve as a stunning backdrop to a landscape or take center stage as the main subject, clouds bring a sense of dynamism and depth. There’s something truly captivating about the interplay of light and shadow within the billowing forms of clouds, particularly when the gentle rays of sunlight peek through, creating a mesmerizing contrast of brightness and darkness.

Dark clouds over the bay

“Clouds in the sky very much resembles the thoughts in our minds! Both changes perpetually from one second to another!”

– Mehmet Murat ildan

Hope- slight change of light among the clouds

“There’s a bright spot in every dark cloud.”

“Behind the clouds is the sun still shining.”     

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Office windows

These are from an old building that at this time was converted to an office, but obviously we were in a hurry to move in as the desk is set even if the work was not completed.

Ludwigs Monday Window

Lens-Artists Challenge #286 – Weather

Last week, Egidio had us looking at Warm colors. And I , for one enjoyed them, all the beautiful sunsets that came up in the posts.  If you missed it, here is a link to the challenge of  Warm Colors.

This week Anne from Slow Shutter Speed has us thinking and showcasing our weather shots. It is one of the favorite topics of discussion among us Finns. As the saying goes, the climate is what we expect, and the weather is what we get. Finland has four unique seasons. The temperature in Finland varies greatly by season and by region as the country is long and has differing coastal and inland climates. The Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Eurasian continent to the east together create the actively changing climate of Finland. Due to our country’s location, the weather can also change quickly, which makes predicting a bit tricky . One moment the sun might be shining, and the next rain is pouring down – such is life up North.

Snow covered lake and trees in Lahti

Winter The coldest day of the season is usually at the end of January in most regions. I  So you are protected from that cool winter breeze, especially in the coast.

February is a snowy and chilly winter month in all of Finland. The slower cooling of the Baltic Sea typically delays the coldest period on the Coast and the Archipelago until the beginning of February. The days are still relatively short but they are getting longer , the sun stays up for nine hours in Helsinki.

March, spring is starting to be on its way. After the spring equinox (March 21st) the days get increasingly longer. Warm clothes are still a must, as the month is likely to be cold with the deepest snow cover, especially in the north.

Spring After the long winter nature wakes up again in April. Spring begins early in the month in the coastal areas, and later in April elsewhere, In April, there’s an increasing amount of daylight and the snow starts to melt, yet it is still not summer.

The weather in May goes from warm to cool, so be ready for all kinds of weather. One thing for sure is that there will be more daylight.

In June, the Finnish summer kicks off. You can expect sunny and pleasant days, but there might be some rain, especially after midsummer. In June, you can experience the amazing midnight sun around the summer solstice.

July is peak summer and generally the hottest month of the year. Most Finns take their annual leave during this time. July is all about heat waves and sometimes even thundershowers, but overall, it’s the best of summer in Finland.

August is the second warmest month in Finland. Though it’s the rainiest in some areas, August usually brings many lovely summer days. The warm but darkening August nights are magical as summer comes to an end.

The autumn season may start pleasantly crisp and cool, but September can also get quite wet. You can expect cloudy skies and rain some of the time but also charming and cool sunny days. In northernmost Finland, the first snow often falls in September. Overall, it’s time to start dressing up warm again.

Autumn foliage makes October a beautiful month, yet the weather can be brisk, and the temperature is likely to drop from mild to frosty. November, the northern parts of the country usually have lasting snow cover already. Wind, rain, and slush are regular delights of the month. The grayest month of all. The month is quite cold, so adding warm layers underneath your winter gear is a must. December is dark, cold and mostly snowy.

I think I did all the months, but as a last note. I love taking misty photos. Droplets after rain, or a misty night. Frost is beautiful after a cold night. Clouds enhance the sunset photos. Rain, or snowing can be a great opportunity for a good shot. Hope you now have an ideal month in mind as when to visit Finland 😂

To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

Next week Donna leads us to the topic of sound, that should be an interesting one to tackle, I am already trying to come up with some ideas,

Blue steel door

I found this old blue steel door when visiting the Lammi Church, I have no recollection of what this building was or where it leads to, but if I was to guess, it could be some storage building. That blue on the door is one of my favorite shades of blue, the yellow wall makes nice standout.

Blue steel door


Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Editing process: 1 to 3 images

The first photo shows the original image, which I started editing in Lightroom Classic, resulting in the displayed outcomes. I know there are four distinct edits, but I had to make a black and white version too, so I couldn’t stick to three as asked. I tried to give the editing a sense of seasonal transition; do you think I pulled it off? ☺

One to Three Photo Processing Challenge: February 2024

Macro Monday

Cup Lichens for Marco Mondays

At this time I was trying to capture lush, green mossy surface with intricate textures visible. The light was soft and diffused, highlighting the delicate structures of both the moss and fungi without casting harsh shadows. I like that there is a mix of green hues, ranging from bright lime greens to deeper forest greens in the vegetation. Cup Lichens with slender stems and cup-shaped caps are emerging from the moss, adding diversity to the scene. Most cup lichens grow on the ground but some can also grow on deadwood or as epiphytes on trees.

Lens-Artists Challenge #285 – Warm Colors

Last week, Sofia asked us to think about day and night for our weekly challenge. I found it fun to go through my archives to find matching photos.

This week, Egidio of, Through Brazilian Eyes, joins us for his first, official challenge with the Lens-Artists. Visit his site for inspiration and guidance on today’s challenge: Warm Colors.

This week Egídio asked; have you ever thought about your images’ impact on viewers based on your photos’ color schemes? Yes I have :-) He invites us to look at own photo catalog or capture new images showing how warm colors appear in our world and their emotional significance to us, also to share how your images made you feel when you captured them.

the warmth of the fire – in colors and feelings

Now to my thoughts on colors – warm colors – we all know them. BUT, to me me the yellow of the first flowers of spring it is not warm, it blends more to the blue. I know it is but – it is bright and refreshing against the new green that delights us. The coltsfoot ad dandelion are first ones to pop up you look for these pops of yellows, Globeflower blooms also in May, a brightfull joy of spring.

Towards the end of the summer the yellow deepens and to me that is a warm yellow, it blends more to red, I know I am splitting hairs here.

Warm reds and brown take over in the fall and a sense of lost comes with it. It does not demise the beauty of the warm colors of autumn is the festive season for warm colors. I joy for a photographer.

Browns – the end of autumn. Soft muted tones, that slowly shows the way to hibernation. Gets us ready for winter,

Now to the question, about how your images made you feel when you captured them. When I take a photo, I mainly focus on and pay attention to the composition, how to best show of what I see, . My main thoughts are did I get on the”film” what I saw. I want to bring beauty to a shot, no matter what the topic even if the topic itself is not that pleasant. I want to see the beauty around me, even a glimpse of it. Positivity… that’s what I want to see 🙂 and I have very warm thoughts about this little boy :-9

To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

lines

On the road again. Lines and lanes leading us towards a beautiful sunset on the warm and wet Saturday here in Southern Finland.

For OneWordSunday and Cellpic Sunday

Lammi Church

As I was looking for doors, I didn’t go outside, ’cause the roads are so icy at the moment due to the weather we’ve been having lately. Today, for the first time in days, I see sunshine and blue sky. It has been gray, wet, or misty. Yesterday’s storm in Norway brought us winds and rain in the morning,but it also cleared the skies and boy, does it feel good. I feel somewhat uplifted, what a mood changer the sun is. Have a great Thursday. This post is linked to Dans Thursday Doors

So here are some photos from the Lammin Church and yes some doors.

Lammi Church

Middle Ages

According to current research, the medieval church in Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510. The church is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, a learned martyr who died in 307, in whose memory e.g. St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. Before this church, Lammi has had two older churches, possibly built of wood.

Fire

Until 1918, the interior parts of the church were wooden. This wooden church was badly burned during the Finnish Civil War on April 29, 1918.

After the fire, only the gray stone walls remained of the church. In the same fire, the pulpit donated to the church in 1692, part of the church’s archives, and the tabul and its medieval church bell were destroyed. After the fire, the reconstruction of the church and church was planned by the architect Usko Nyström.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Golden barley sways in sunlight breeze

I found this image from my archives, it captures a close-up view of a green barley field with individual barley stalks and their grains clearly visible, highlighted by sunlight. The grains are at various stages of maturity, with some appearing golden and others green.

I am rather happy with this, but I’ve never posted it before as I like the softness and movement of it. It shows how you see even your own images differently as time passes and you look at your photos with fresh eyes.

For Debbie´s Six Words Saturday.

And it snows – again

The recent weather has been quite challenging, with the continuous onslaught of snow. Sadly, this time around, the snowfall was accompanied by warmer temperatures, resulting in wet snow that has ultimately turned into a mix of sleet and ice on the ground. It’s a frustrating situation to witness, especially as we brace for the arrival of below freezing temperatures again on Friday. Winter can be enchanting and picturesque, but it also has a darker, more treacherous side, as evidenced by the slippery ice underfoot.

Admittedly, I’m finding it challenging to appreciate the beauty of the season in moments like these. In fact, I didn’t even muster up the motivation to venture outside to capture photos, opting instead to take them from the comfort of my windows. Now, looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at my own laziness.

Winter landscapes from Kirkkonummi #6

Pine trees basking in the sunshine on a rocky hill covered with white snow.

As the winter wraps the world in its chilly embrace, it presents us with scenes of enchanting tranquility. The stark contrast of the vibrant blue skies against the snowy landscapes is a sight to behold, a true testament to the captivating allure of the winter season.

With every image, I aim to convey the unspoken elegance of winter, without the need for accompanying explanations.

pristine blanket of white

Yesterday it snowed once again, covering the landscape in a pristine blanket of white. As I gazed out of my window, I found myself without any desire to step out into the chilly weather. The snowflakes gracefully descended, gradually accumulating into a soft, glistening snow bank.

Window view
Lanterns

Sunset behind the hilltop

Today I caught a beautiful sunset from my patio, we had huge rise in temperature in the past two days and the snow covered trees are now gone. The trees still gave a beautiful contrast against the colorful sky

Sunset

Winter landscapes from Kirkkonummi #5

As the winter wraps the world in its chilly embrace, it presents us with scenes of enchanting tranquility. The stark contrast of the vibrant blue skies against the snowy landscapes is a sight to behold, a true testament to the captivating allure of the winter season.

With every image, I aim to convey the unspoken elegance of winter, without the need for accompanying explanations.

Silent Sunday

I know should silent, but these are the first sunray’s that touched our backyard in ages. What a joy!

Frosty Road

A frosty road in the Kirkkonummi, Finland during the extreme cold weather we have had for the past week.

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge wish was to post a road/ street with snow or a photo that has white in it.