How to survive November 2020 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

How to survive November 2020-30

The lyrics of the by Doors “The End” came to mind as I was thinking of what to say in this last post to; How to Survive November 2020 So it’s time to – “lyödä hanskat tiskiin” (throw in the towel) strait translation- throw in the gloves 🧤 .

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend

The end
Of our elaborate plans
The end
Of everything that stands
The end
No safety or surprise
The end
I’ll never look into your eyes
Again

Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need of some stranger’s hand
In a desperate land

Then my next thought was , what if my next months theme would be 1. Trying to find Xmas spirit? or 2. Countdown to New Year 2021? as I am so desperately bad at finding titles for my posts. This way, I would only have to change the daily date as I’ve done the past month.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-29

Black and White photos, Travel

Two more post for this November, this has passed so quickly! Thank you all for making it that happen, the comments and company. I am really at loss trying to come up with an idea for today.

Candles, they work as a mood enhancer so well. Together with shells from our travels they take me to the warm and sandy beaches we have visited, so looking forward to travel again, hopefully sooner than later.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-28

Black and White photos, People

I have to admit, I have not written so much about me and my life before. I have just posted photos as i have assumed that no one is really interested in what I do, or mostly don’t do. I have thought my photos will speak for themselves. Now I am wondering what to do when November is over, should I return to me old ways or keep on writing this nonsense in the future too.

Yesterday I put on make-up after a long time, no one notices if I do or I don’t at home. I had an on-line interview yesterday, so I had made myself presentable. So I am going to be boring and post a photo of me with lots of editing in color and bnw and the original also to keep it real :-), as I have no other idea for today. so it’s a #selfie #over50 #makeup post.

Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-27

Black and White photos

Friday!! Yes, weekend !! As if it made a difference – not! The same continues with only one difference, I can serve myself some wine. I don’t drink during the week, so tonight I can enjoy couple glasses of wine and relax! Small joys of life.

I took this photo from our hallway – entry – foyer( I could not make up my mind as to which word to use, I wrote them all down) yesterday, but as I edited it today… I should have paid more attention to cleaning, as you can see cat hair on the lamp shade if you look closely. Apparently I didn’t , must be the dim light 🙂 as it is there for everyone to see.

One of the lamps on the side console tables is giving nice muted light to the space, on the wall is a rya (A Scandinavian knotted–pile woollen rug, used as bed-cover and tapestry) I did 30years ago. It nicely takes the eco away from the space.

Last night the moonlight beautifully shone into our bedroom.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-26

Black and White photos, People

Now we are at heart of November, even gray morning, dull would be the best word to describe it! Grays in different shades can be beautiful, but not this. Veikka is purring an keeping me company, laying on my desk, so soft and furry and content looking big cat. Boy, he sheds so much fur 🙂

Once again it 2 PM, to my surprise there is slight line of baby blue in the skyline. one thing to ne happy about in an otherwise BORING day. Now I have wo cats sitting on the desk and looking out of the window keeping me company.

I was so out of ideas that I could take photos of at home. So I took this reflection photo.

I took this photo of a Asian woman taking a selfie a year ago. I tried two different variations of black and white editing, by changing the contrasts and emphasis of lights, I feel there is a notable change of the mood in them. I myself prefer the darker version.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-25

Black and White photos

Sitting at breakfast reading news even if they are not that inspiring. I started thinking about todays picture. So I was admiring the flower on the table and as quickly as the thought came to my head, it was done. Took my mobile, took a photo, problem solved. Sometimes its easy as that, if you don’t over think it. Small everyday joys, flowers saved the day!

The old photo is from our trip to the California last year. We met these old hippies, that is their words at a scenic stop on the road. The van and they look photographic together so we exchanged few pleasantries and I aske if I could take a photo.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-24

Black and White photos

Time goes by so fast even if there is nothing happening, one week left of November. It has been so much better weather wise than I thought. So only 28 days until we are back to gaining light again. Something to look forward to.

I will try to continue my experiments in cooking, I have tried several new recipes lately. Healthy ones at that. That is something 🙂 using lots of olive oil, onions and garlic tp spice it up. I do like butter and cream in my cooking, but my Italian recipes are giving me nice options. Taking black and white food photography does not appeal to me, but this will do, a cook book.

My Veikka cat has a beautiful tail and he is gorgeous big white cat-

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-23

Black and White photos

Maukka the dog is waiting for some treats at the table as we prepare to sit down for coffee. The look of yearning…I have one too, waiting for this to be over and start to live a the “new” normal life. so wishing this was over. I am sure not the only one with this one, maybe I should write to Santa?

Keeping up with todays animal theme here is our backyard visitor snatching our rope from our old oak tree swing

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-22

Black and White photos

I sat next to this window all weekend, the window needs some fixing, but for photography purposes it was great. The cracked paint on the frame was art.

Frozen flowers is one of my ideas to create a monotype, this did not happen, this weekend was just trying to learn the technique, and even that is not totally absorbed, don’t know if it is the right work for this, but hope you get the drift. Now I know at least what tools to bring to the next session also time for few ideas to “brew” in my mind.

These are my first attempts with this medium, not all that grand, but I will post them here so they will remain as a memory in my blog.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-21

Black and White photos, Flowers

Frozen flowers is one of my ideas to create a monotype

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-20

Black and White photos

Today started out sunny with the first snow fallen during the night. It is goin to melt, but it does give so much light. I am posting early as I am going to have a an artistic weekend. Today I am going to start doing finishing touches to some of my sculptures. During the week end I am learning a new skill – trying to do some monotype.

Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, or matrix, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together, usually using a printing-press. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then, using brushes or rags, removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque colour. The inks used may be oil based or water based. With oil based inks, the paper may be dry, in which case the image has more contrast, or the paper may be damp, in which case the image has a 10 percent greater range of tones.

Monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype; most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible, they differ greatly from the first print and are generally considered inferior. These prints from the original plate are called “ghost prints.” A print made by pressing a new print onto another surface, effectively making the print into a plate, is called a “cognate”. Stencils, watercolor, solvents, brushes, and other tools are often used to embellish a monotype print. Monotypes can be spontaneously executed and with no previous sketch.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-19

Black and White photos

I have to say 19th, went by watching the rain and wind blowing outside. It was our first winter storm, I think. Totally blank about what to post. So, here something not so inspiring, like the day was.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

Traveling being banned at the moment, here is a photo of a pelican flying at sunset

How to survive November 2020-18

Black and White photos, Flowers

Sleep is so precious thing and I have a problem with it, but his morning I slept late until 9 am, and the best part was the night before It did not take me hours to fall a sleep. the bliss for not having to wait and wait for it to come. So today I am in much better spirits and today we have blue skies again. The joy of that is great.

I had neglected my orchid, I had forgotten to water it, today I did and also got my camera ready. These are my todays shots.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-17

Black and White photos, People

Today was a lazy day, I started this and did not finish. I ended up trying to come up with a Xmas Card Idea, yes, I still send actual cards. I also edited one photo of my grandson for today. I love the mood and the light in this photo even if I say so myself. I also did some digital art, this was one of them, you can see it below.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-16

Black and White photos

Now it is a typical November, Monday morning. Even gray, dim light and slightly colder +4,5C, it has drizzled a bit as the ground is wet. One of those uninspiring days that you come across every now and then, though often in November.

Today started as it normally does, wake up, quick read of the news in bed, as I have no desire to get up. My hubby has already risen had his coffee and is working in his office, so I am in no hurry. But habit makes it hard to stay in bed too long. So up I get, have my coffee, read yesterdays news from the newspaper, alright there are some articles that are better read from the paper.

I am surprising myself as I decide to marinade our todays lunch at breakfast, Teriyaki chicken is on the menu today, with bell peppers, onion and zucchini with rise. So ambitious of me 🙂

Now I need to relax, so much done, as the the day is what it is. Yes, a warm, very warm bath will relax me!

So Now I need to figure out what is my photo of the day going to be, me in a bubble bath, Hmmn… Food photo, marinating chicken does not look that appealing in a photo. Rocks from the ocean will go wit the music I chose to bring to your attention. Do have a listen 🙂 (Sounds so British )

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

I say this question in FB What is the best TV Theme song of all time? The first song that came to mind was The Onedin Line ( Merilinja) so I listened to this piece of music, it brought so many memories back

The other one I Love is, Myrskyluodon Maija, this one always brings tears to my eyes, it you have not heard this please listen, it is beautiful.

How to survive November 2020-15

Black and White photos, Flowers

It’s two pm on a Sunday, and it seem that I am doing my post about the same time everyday. This November has been so much better than few of the resent ones, even today, there has been a glimpse of blue skies, it has not rained all that much either. So, not at all as gray of a month, that I was dreading. Such a small joy, I am very happy about this.

Went out to try find something to take photo of, macro photography, is great as you do not have to go far to find something lovely to capture. This time it was a brown hydrangea at the end of its life span. Still pretty.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

Today I am not posting old comparison, but other takes of todays topic. I always have such had time choosing what is my favorite as there are different moods and things that make them stand out as choices. I ended up with the above because it turned out nicely as black and white.

How to survive November 2020-14

Black and White photos, Still life

It’s fifteen past two in the afternoon and the sky shows a hint of blue, such a joy. Here is a cup of glögi (glogg, mulled wine, vin chaud, gluhwein) to keep us warm this Saturday afternoon.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

Do you have any idea what these are?

How to survive November 2020-13

Black and White photos

It’s half past three in the afternoon and it’s dusk already, so here is some dim bling for this Friday.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

A old photo of this cute 🙂 cat to bring smile to your face, hopefully gloom expression does not effect you. This was one not so happy cat in pet store.

How to survive November 2020-12

Black and White photos

Midway through November, no signs of winter in the southern part of Finland. Just now the temperature outside is 7,4 Celsius. The sun is out, the sky is partly cloudy with sunshine. Not bad, not bad at all. The light does wonders as does a good night of sleep to the spirits.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

We can all do with a bright and happy smile to brighten our day. An old photo of my oldest grandson. He was such funny kid with deep thoughts. He was about three years old when he had this profound thought – for a three year old. “It is so hard to know, all that you need to know” ” On vaikea tietää, aina mitä kaikkea pitää tietää!”

How to survive November 2020-11

Black and White photos, Still life

Yesterday was not a good one, I was uninspired, bored, tired. I did edit the photos for this post, I took on Monday evening from a restaurant we stopped for a bit to eat, but could not get on with posting them.

That is so totally sad, well I guess most of us have days like that or not. I allowed myself to do nothing, I watched TV, news, lifestyle programs, news, soccer. Finnish national football team won France, the world champion. WOW! After that it was time to go to bed!

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-10

Black and White photos, Still life

Kitchen showcase or is it showcase kitchen

Window shopping after the open hours was what I did yesterday. Looking for ideas for my kitchen that i have been planning on updating for few years, but haven’t gotten around to it.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

How to survive November 2020-9

Black and White photos

My garden still produced some colors, this one I turned into B&W for the reason of composition. The cross and balanced berries. I have to admit it is so much better in color, but that was what I thought I’d photograph today

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

One of my favorite vases

How to survive November 2020-8

Black and White photos, People

My boys have a great dad, Happy fathers day to the father of my children.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

My old photos are this time of my dad, who passed away along time ago in 1982, but he still remains in my memories. The b&w one below is the first photo I took of my dad, and also the first time I took photos in the early seventies..

How to survive November 2020-7

Black and White photos

Reflections are beautiful, I tried it as B&W and I have to admit, it’s not as bad as I thought it could be, because the different shades of gray and movement that is in the photo.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

My old photo compare is from San Francisco, last year I think Cityscape turns well in to B&W images

How to survive November 2020-6

Black and White photos, Landscapes

Kivenlahti seaside was grey, as I was taking a walk there searching for gray, which is a topic of a month in a Photography FB group I am in. I saw this boat being left in to the reeds. I thought that might make a great B&W shot. So here it is.

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

As many of you asked if I was happy with the outcome to the hair salon, well this is the outcome

How to survive November 2020-4

Black and White photos, Cities

I had some errands to run in Helsinki and took my camera with me, so I could take night time. Photos of cities and buildings are something that look good as black and white. In this picture you can see in the front the the old market hall – it is still in use. In the back is the city hall and background the Helsinki Cathedral

If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES

Hei kaikille osallistujille, minulla on ollut paljon ongelmia postata kommentteja bloggeriin. Blogitse ilmoittaa koko ajan että väärä vastaus… laskutehtävät ovat vielä kuitenkin sen tasoisia että ne hallitsen. Samoin muutama muukin jää epävarmaksi että tuleeko ne näkyviin. esim.
Digi Passions, Parallel lines sama ongelma,