Monochrome – Page 2 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Monochrome – clouds

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Photography

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.

“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

Monochrome Madness #1 – Beach

Black and White photos

Dreaming of beaches at the moment 🙂

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #1 The Letter B

Monochrome – apple blossoms

Black and White photos, Flowers

The difference of light transforms the image of apple blossoms with droplets gives it a totally different mood.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness: A Floral Tribute

essential factors in a joyous life

Black and White photos, People, Photography

Ann-Christine has tasked us with illustrating a favorite quote or poem. I also did this, and in the end decided to enter my other take as an entry to Lens-Artists Challenge, but since I had already done this I decided to post it separately

I selected this quote to convey positivity. We all need a little bit of that in our lives. I added few more smiles than requested, but it is a smile ☺ of joy.

“Laughter and smiles are essential factors in a joyous life”
~Maya Angelou

Happy faces and lovely smiles are like rays of sunshine on a cloudy day, illuminating the world with their warmth and brightness. The simple act of smiling has the power to uplift spirits, spread joy, and create a ripple of positivity. When we encounter a genuine smile, it’s as if a little piece of happiness has been shared with us, making the day feel a little brighter and the heart a little lighter.

Monochrome – flower bouquet

Black and White photos, Flowers, Nature

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Street Photography – at the mall

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

I don’t know if this is really street photography, but let’s pretend so.

I took this yesterday at the mall. I needed to get out of the house. I was really proud, I didn’t buy anything, nearly did, but I reasoned with myself, I don’t need this, put it back to the rack.

Monochrome – winter road

Black and White photos

Sunny winter day looks like this in monochrome.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome – Frosty flower

Black and White photos

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Big and small tool

Black and White photos, Still life

These bigger and smaller tools are from Verla’s Groundwood and Board Mill, Finland’s first factory museum.

Verla was named a World Heritage site due to its status as a unique and culturally and historically significant example of an industrial settlement from the turn of the 20th century.

Cee’s Fun Foto Prompt – Any Kind of Tool.

eerie yet captivating scenes

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

The misty air envelops the landscape, amongst the haze, the silhouettes of towering trees emerge, standing tall like guardians of the monochrome world. Their branches, devoid of leaves, reach out like skeletal fingers, creating an eerie yet captivating scene.

Do you agree the absence of color seems to enhance the mystical ambiance, as if nature itself has decided to paint this particular moment in shades of gray.

The mist weaves through the branches and settles on their trunks, giving them an otherworldly aura that is both haunting and beautiful. In this misty monochrome, the trees stand as solitary figures, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.

Street Photography – crosswalk

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

On the crossroad…in Hong Kong.

Crossroads are places where roads intersect and people have to make decisions. They can also be metaphors for important moments in life, where one has to choose between different options and face the consequences.

Crossroads are the tests of fate , where we must choose our path and wait, for the unknown to reveal itself and show us if we chose well or not.

Some crossroads are clear and easy, others are dark and messy . But all of them are part of our journey and shape us into who we are meant to be

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Street Photography – in a hurry

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

In a Hurry on an Escalator

As the escalator propels forward, an interesting dynamic unfolds. Watch closely, and you’ll observe people in a hurry, their faces etched with determination, striding onto the moving steps. Their impatience fuels their urgency, causing them to bob and weave through the crowd.

it’s fascinating to witness the blend of efficiency and chaos. Some embrace the escalator as an opportunity to slow down, leisurely taking in the surroundings. Others view it as a race, attempting to reach the summit before their peers. How about embracing the escalator as a —a chance to catch our breath.

So, my fellow escalator travelers, let us take a collective breath and relish the journey, even in the midst of our hurried pace.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #271: Contrasts

lens-artists

Amy’s challenge this week is on contrasts. She wrote: There are many ways to express contrasts in photography, e.g. tone, colors, subjects, lights/shadows, and more.

Big – small and red and white + old and new

In photography, mastering the interplay between shadow and light is vital. The art of capturing light and manipulating shadows allows photographers to create captivating images that elicit a range of emotions. From dramatic silhouettes to intimate chiaroscuro portraits, the use of shadow and light can transform a simple photograph into a masterpiece.

Size, shape, colors

Contrast between the old and the new can evoke a variety of thoughts and emotions. The juxtaposition of these two elements can highlight the passage of time. It can elicit a sense of nostalgia for the past while simultaneously showcasing the advancements of the present.

When capturing the contrast between the old and the new in photography, you have the opportunity to tell a compelling visual story. The weathered textures and architectural details of old buildings can stand in stark contrast to the sleek lines and modern design of new structures.

Exploring the contrast between the old and the new in your photography can lead to stunning and thought-provoking images, this theme offers a wealth of artistic possibilities.

Shadow play, colors and textures

Young and older. Smiling and somber

Mid-Week Monochrome ~ water

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues. – Kevin R. Stone

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-Week Monochrome ~ cookery

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

The greatest dishes are very simple. – Auguste Escoffier

Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors – it’s how you combine them that sets you apart. -Wolfgang Puck

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-Week Monochrome ~ alley

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

We plan our lives in long, unbroken stretches that intersect our dreams the way highways connect the city dots on a road map. But in the end we learn that life is lived in the side roads, alleys, and detours.

Richard Paul Evans

Inspiration comes from not only within ourselves, but also from watching life around us. Anthony – T. Hincks

Mid-Week Monochrome #128-1

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Inspiration comes from not only within ourselves, but also from watching life around us. Anthony – T. Hincks

It doesn’t seem to matter, the time of day, watching people walking by always puts a smile on my face.

Posted for Bren’s Midweek Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-Week Monochrome #127-1

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Classy women never lose their dignity.
“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – Dorothy Nevill

Posted for Bren’s Midweek Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-week Monochrome #126-1

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Roses are beautiful even in monochrome

“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Take time to smell the roses.

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness Challenge

Mid-week Monochrome #129

Black and White photos

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

“It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things.”

“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”

“If there are ripples on the surface of a lake, we cannot see the depth. Similarly unless the mind is restful, we cannot experience the harmony and union within us.” – Sri Ravi Shankar

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness Challenge

Mid-week Monochrome #127

Black and White photos, People

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Not finding the book you want? I had just done my civil duty at the library, voted. I sat waiting for my husband to lend some books.

I liked the line of the windows and the shelves making a leading line. So I set the camera -phone to the floor level and took this photo of three people, they seemed to be nicely situated in also in this lowpoint photo. I also got a shot of the person sitting by the desk reading.

“The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say.” ~ Gregory Maguire

“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”

Compare to edit, color versus black and white version. But I also with the shadows.

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome

Mid-week Monochrome #126

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

Light continues tobe the theme, as it is the thing that uplifts me the most at the moment. I posted yesterday shots of advancing sping yesterday. Today it is raining, slush and snow. Well they do say, new snow is the death of old snow this time of the year. Today I converted few into monochrome images.

“The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say.” ~ Gregory Maguire

“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”

Compare to edit, color versus black and white version. But I also with the shadows…

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome

Mid-week Monochrome #125

Black and White photos, People

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, it is expressive and minimalist in and very mood enhancing.

This is my week choice – light from above

“The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say.” ~ Gregory Maguire

“There is strong shadow where there is much light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-week Monochrome #123

Black and White photos, Landscapes

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I also have a sweet spot for the ocean and waves. I can sit for hours and I watch the movement of of the water.

As I have been editing my beach photos lately, I did try to convert them to black and white, and I believe that the beauty and power of the moving water even without the colors comes across. Here are few photos from Ocean Ridge beach.

seagulls at the beach

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Mid-week Monochrome #122

Black and White photos, Cities

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

This house in the corner of the street in Savannah appealed to me, with its tall arched windows and ornate ironwork balconies and fences. The peeling paint gives it a artitic feel that looks great in photos, well that’s my opinion anyway:-) With this first edit I tried to capture a old time feel to it. The two others are more clear and crisp with slightly different composition.

A house in Savanah – Black and white photography erases time from the equation.

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.”

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Beautiful in Black and White 15

Black and White photos, People

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

There’s so much grey to every story – nothing is so black and white.