What can I express about this photograph? Is there truly a need for words? Should I begin by depicting an enchanting stairway that ascends to a vintage door, stirring emotions of curiosity and intrigue?
Does it have an inviting yet mysterious ambiance, prompting exploration and reflection? Or if I say: The stairway acts as a threshold, encouraging individuals to stop and consider what awaits beyond the door, amplifying the overall sense of fascination; is it true? Does the fusion of charm and appeal captivate the imagination, positioning the door as a central point of interest for anyone who comes across it?
Or should I just say – a door at the top of the stairs, standing tall and mysterious, inviting curiosity about what lies beyond its threshold? The staircase, worn from years of use, leads up to this intriguing entrance, leaving one to wonder if it guards secrets or simply offers a passage to another room filled with memories.
A charming stairway leading to a vintage door, does this have the essence of curiosity and mystery.
This week, Egidio has encouraged us to showcase some of our rejected alongside our edited images to highlight the contrasts. I’ve encountered photographers who view editing as “cheating,” believing it undermines the integrity of the moment captured. Nevertheless, I regard editing as an equally vital skill as the art of photographing a subject or scene. It empowers us to emphasize particular features, enhance colors, and evoke emotions that may not be as prominent in the unedited image. Ultimately, the final image should represent not just what was observed but also the artist’s unique vision and perspective. By embracing both photography and editing, we can elevate our creations and convey more impactful stories through our visuals.
These are all from my visit to Hvitträsk and its surroundings some year ago except the last one. That was a so bad I did not pay any attention to it at all at the time, I just remember being very disappointed in it. I should have binned it, but luckily now with my approved editing skills I was able to do something with it.
The original image was flat and boring, and I never got around to publishing it, even though the picture has many layers and good elements. Perhaps I didn’t initially realize to crop it enough; for some reason, I wanted the trunk of the pine tree in the image even though it didn’t really fit there. The sky had remained flat and nothing really stood out.
Nature shines
I was drawn to this blurry image; there was something about it that appealed to me, so I decided to rework it in the hope that it would present better with a slight adjustment of contrast and colors. The top of the image was slightly overexposed and clearly out of focus. I am not entirely satisfied with the edit as the colors changed too much from the original—primarily because I try to keep the image as natural as possible.
This could fall into the same category as the previous post, but this is in many parts very unfocused,
A dimly lit dining room featuring long wooden table in Hvitträsk
A dimly lit dining room with a long wooden table covered in a white tablecloth, adorned with orange fabric. Red upholstered leather benches line the walls, and a decorative chandelier hangs from the ceiling. In the image above, there is a lot of good, but the picture was left languishing in the archives a bit subdued, and I couldn’t find its purpose; now I decided to boldly edit it in a more cinematic direction. I spent some time battling against making it too colorful, so the third edit is the final result 👇, where I wanted to bring the fabric on the table into focus with light.
A dimly lit dining room featuring long wooden tables and contrasting red seating, evoking a warm yet subdued atmosphere.
In this last image pair, I wanted to highlight the minimalism of the previous challenge and the black-and-white image as it is a style I really enjoy. I sought to create an atmosphere in the picture and wanted to draw attention to the window and the light coming from it and how it came to the room, and eliminating most of the furniture.
In this picture, I managed to save an image that was clearly overexposed and additionally had completely off coloring. I didn’t know what I had adjusted back then, but for some reason, this remained in the archives. I couldn’t edit this photo to color, but the black and white turned out rather well.
salvation of a bad photo
I would like to extend my gratitude to Egidio for encouraging us to present some of the effort that goes into crafting an image we are proud to share. Don’t forget to check out his original post here, and remember to use the Lens-Artist Tag in your response so we can find you post.
I am grateful to all who took part in last week’s B&W / Minimalism challenge; it highlighted the remarkable power of simplicity when done effectively. I was taken aback by the amount of interest it created and glad to find out that there are so many interested in this style of photography, which emphasizes the beauty of minimalism and the striking impact of black and white imagery. This challenge inspired participants to explore their creativity among those who share a passion for this art form. I loved seeing all your contributions, as each one told a unique story and showcased different perspectives, proving that less truly can be more in the world of visual storytelling.
Lastly, we invite you to join us next week for a challenge Tina will be hosting on Travels and Trifles. In the meantime, smile and try to stay positive
This morning I started to look for photos of doors, Now it’s 5 PM, and I found myself completely immersed in editing photos from years back, particularly from my visits to the Espoo Cathedral, which is currently closed for renovations but is expected to be back in use by 2027. The intricate architecture and historical significance of this beautiful structure captivate me, making the editing process both a nostalgic experience. I will post those sorted photos soon.
These are not from there. These are from the interior of Hvitträsk, just a small detail from a children’s room that truly captures the essence of early 20th-century design. I love the design of this child’s bed made of wood, crafted in 1905 by the renowned designer Eliel Saarinen. The bed showcases a thoughtful blend of functionality and artistry, ensuring comfort for the child while also serving as a beautiful piece of furniture.
Hvitträsk was designed to be a studio home for the members of the Finnish architecture firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen. It later became the private residence of Eliel Saarinen. It is located about 30 kilometers (19 mi) west of Helsinki in Kirkkonummi, Finland. These photos are from the grounds of Hvitträsk and the lake was now white 🙂
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 