People – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Lens-Artists Challenge #378 – Last Chance

I enjoy these year-end moments to showcase some photos that didn’t make the cut or align with our themes. This year, I’ve taken fewer pictures than usual. My time in Singapore and Australia was when I truly captured a wealth of my images. There are still posts on that journey waiting to be crafted. Health challenges have hindered my enjoyment of photography as I once knew it, leading me to rely more on quick snaps from my phone. Additionally, like Ann-Christine, I’ve been dedicating more time to art projects, reigniting my passion for them. Aquarelle and Graphic Monotype are the art forms I’ve concentrated on, even though they often don’t turn out as I envision. I’ve realized that practice is key—at least it feels that way to me. The same holds true for photography. Hopefully next year will hold more inspiring photography opportunities.

This did not come together as I planned, but as I looked at the photos, this theme rose from the photos I took on our memorable trip. My plan was to share the most beautiful shots I have, ones that showed the beauty we saw, and instead, I give you this collection of people with their phones or posing for a photo, and two with no connection to the theme at all. But here they are, my final glimpses!

View from inside a cabin of the Singapore Flyer, showcasing the city skyline and iconic landmarks.

I was at the plaza in Marina Bay in Singapore, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and engaging in some casual people watching. As I sat on a bench and listened to the lively sound of chatter and commands about how to pose for the photo, I captured these images of people striking poses for their parents and friends.

The varied gathering, featuring both tourists and locals, brought a blend of languages and cultures to the space; yet, it was hard to ignore that many were absorbed in their phones, scrolling intently and often missing the vibrant life around them. It felt a bit sad, don’t you think? As I witnessed this scene, I found myself thinking about on the connections we make and those we inadvertently let slip away, realizing that while technology helps us stay connected in so many ways, it can also create an invisible wall that distances us from the rich, shared experiences that life has to offer.

I used to live in this white heritage-style home at Henley Beach, just minutes away from the beach.

In Australia, we traveled extensively through the breathtaking natural spots. Obviously, the beauty of the natural environment drew us in, providing countless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. However, we also noticed some people here with their phones, capturing their experiences on camera—posing against the backdrop of iconic landmarks and sharing their moments. When you look at these photos, it seems everyone has their hand on a phone, me included—or, in many cases, a camera.

Time to say thanks for this year; 2025 has passed so quickly. A big thank you to all the Lens-Artists team for their creativity and dedication. I really enjoy the community that Lens-Artists has created, the unity and kindness people have toward each other, the positivity, and the power of kind and thoughtful words and humor. The world needs it. Photography is a great way to share the beauty around us. I am ever so grateful for the new blog friends I’ve made, as well as those who have been with me for all the fourteen years I’ve been blogging.

As we pause for the final two weeks of December, let’s share kindness and embrace the spirit of the Holiday Season. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bless you with joy and good health! We’ll be back with our Favorite Photos of the Year challenge on January 3. Until then, remember to be kind, stay safe, and relish the journey.

We are Lens-Artists: Tina , Patti , Ann-Christine, John, Sofia , Anne , Egidio, Beth , and me Ritva,

To learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here.

Monochrome – emotions

Photography

The human face is a canvas of emotions, a tapestry weaved with the threads of life’s experiences. Whether it’s the radiant smile of joy, the furrowed brows of curiosity, or the heavy veil of sadness, every emotion leaves its mark on our visage, a silent symphony playing across our features.

And as we journey through life, we encounter moments where the weather itself becomes the artist, painting our emotions with the subtle hues of mist-draped mornings, the golden warmth of sunshine filtering through the woods, or the contemplative serenity of a view from a quiet room. Emotions are the colors that tinge our existence, infusing each day with the rich palette of human experience. But they also can be seen in monochrome images with the contrast and light enhancing the mood

This post is for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness prompted this week by MRS. CLAIRE GUTKNECHT. Visit both sites for beautiful monochrome images.

Lens-Artists Challenge #292 people here, there & everywhere

lens-artists

So this week, our challenge is to share images of the people we’ve captured along the way. That’s what Tina from requested for this weeks challenge. Simple request.

Like many, when I started taking photos, they were mainly of friends and family. When I got my kids… you know how the story continues. I still love taking photos of people here, there, and everywhere. No explanations, simply just some people shots I’ve taken. Street photography is interesting and at events, you can find lots of interesting people.

Last week Patti‘s challenge gave us tour around the world with beautiful cities to discover. I truly enjoyed discovering the new cities. Next week Sofia from PHOTOGRAPHIAS will come up with something new for us to tackle with, looking forward to seeing it. Until then, keep smiling ☺

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.

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Street Photography – marketplace

Cities, Photography

This man seated next to table was relaxed, hiding a yawn maybe, selling vintage toys, and other old other miscellaneous objects caught my attention at the Níce market. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, with other people seated at tables covered with white cloths in the background gave the shot depth.

Beneath

People

There he stood beneath the stairs 🙂

One Word Sunday: beneath

Street Photography – up and down

Cities, street photography

During the dark season the entrance and stairs at our local railway station in Kirkkonummi provides some bright colors and it is a nice contrast to the dark days. I have to say even so I prefer the monochrome images to the color ones. the Leading lines and structure is more defined. Thoughts?

The ramp down and the stair in color in monochrome. Totally different mood

Street Photography – Kanavaranta

Captures from Finland, street photography

Thick curtain of gray clouds, as if nature itself had decided to embrace the melancholy of the day. The sea, usually vibrant with colors reflecting the sky and the surrounding buildings, now seemed to merge with the somber atmosphere. People hurried along the sidewalk. Despite the gloom, there was a unique beauty in the stillness of picturesque Kanavanranta.

Distant

Landscapes, Photography, Traveling Australia

Seen from distance and above from the highest building in Brisbane.

Debbies One Word Sunday: Distant

Street photography – towards the light

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

I did three versions of this woman walking towards the light at the end of this narrow alley. It is always amazing how the colors can change the mood, I shoot with raw so the colors can be edited really differently. I think I like the more yellow toned one best.

Street photography captures candid moments of daily life in public spaces. From bustling city streets to quiet suburban neighborhoods, we try to document the raw and unscripted moments that unfold around us. With an emphasis on capturing the essence of a scene or the emotions of the people within it, street photography offers a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the world we inhabit. Whether it’s a fleeting expression, a captivating composition, or an unexpected juxtaposition, street photography celebrates the beauty and intrigue found in everyday moments.

Street photography – Lahti Street view

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

Las weekend we drove to our summer house to turn the electricity off for the winter as we do not visit there during winter. My husband mowed the leaves, no need to rake them. Back story was that, them we drove to the city near by- Lahti. I took this autumn street shot as we walked down the road to get late lunch. On the hill on the other side you can see the City Hall of Lahti.

Located in the heart of Lahti, the city hall is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and an important part of Lahti’s cityscape. The monumental building, designed by architect Eliel Saarinen, was completed in 1912. The building stylistically represents late Art Nouveau. The over 100-year-old building, damaged in wars and fires, has been restored with respect to the original.

Street photography – a quick stop

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

People in hurry, but still have time for a quick stop – at fast-food restaurant. The contrast is the setting in this old building and the Burger King that is there. What caught my attention was how the light showcased the beauty of the wall details and the light streaming from the chairs.

Two takes color and black and white, which one works best? I myself prefer the color one this time.

Street photography – in a rush

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

People in hurry, no time to stop. The contrast of the man in a hurry and the man by the wall with his dog create a contrast in this shot. And the tourist walking … is dropped into their world.

Two takes color and black and white, which one works best?

Street photography – Side walk cafe

Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

People in hurry, no time to stop. Or enjoying a moment. Same place, different time of the day

Street photography – crowded street

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

I am going to post images new and old of this genre in this new topic name. Shortly described below as what I want to convey in this photos.

Lady in white stood out amongst the of people dressed mostly in dark clothes in Florida during a art festival

Also posted for CWWC -Any which way with people

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #263: Faces in a Crowd

lens-artists, Photography

Your challenge this week is to share images featuring faces, in a crowd or standing alone, human or animal. Selfies are approved. I am looking forward to seeing your take on “Faces in the Crowd”. Don’t forget to link to this post and be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists to reach the widest audience.

For John’s challenge this week, I have these shots to share. Hope you enjoy them.

I captured these face in Cape Verde.

Face from our trip to Hong Kong

A local market in Goa India…lovely colorful clothes and expressive faces

Sri Lanka…

framed all over… and all kinds of things

Remember to link to your post and use the Lens-Artists tag in the reader section. Thanks John, I love taking people shots, and happy to have the opportunity to share them

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

I needed to add something in monochrome – of course

Mid-week Monochrome #128

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.

For the last six days my son was visiting with the youngest of our grandsons, so I have not been very active here, as there was someone wanting attention. An so much more cooking to do than normally.

I did get a chance to get some photographs taken, as I had a lovelu and cute boy to aim my camera to. After the first time, he said to me: Mummi, if these are not good we can take more tomorrow. (Mummi – grandma in Finnish)

and we did the light in my bedroom was better than the the ones I took in the living room. He is a good sport, and a real pro in front of the camera. After some shot he would say to me, let me see? and came to look at the shots on the camera. I am not going to post all of them the first time I took 90 frames and second time 125 frames. Most of them are OK.

“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 the color version versus the black and white one.

This last one was from the first time, we took in the evening and the light was low

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome

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

Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #241– Spring

lens-artists, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #241 – Spring

This week Sofia invites us to show you what Spring means to us. Is it about new beginnings, Nature reborn or a new chance to go and enjoy the outdoors?

This is a no brainer, I mean, obviously it is about light. Me and so many other when the spring begins to show first signs of more light the constant marvel of it… we do, every year as if this was something unexpected. The joy of it is so awesome, it wakes us up from the winter hibernation, we slowly come put of houses.

When does spring start? In 2023, the official first day of spring is Monday, March 20. This date marks the “spring equinox” in the Northern Hemisphere. That is today!

( Is the spring equinox the same as spring solstice? Equinox vs Solstice
An equinox occurs at the start of the spring and fall. The solstice occurs during the summer and the winter. Occurs on March 21 (Vernal equinox) and on September 23 (Autumnal equinox).

No matter where you are on Earth, the equinox brings us a number of seasonal effects, noticeable to nature lovers around the globe. At the equinox, Earth’s two hemispheres are receiving the sun’s rays equally. Night and day are often said to be equal in length.

The fastest sunsets and sunrises of the year happen at this time. We’re talking here about the length of time it takes for the whole sun to sink below the horizon. Sunset or sunrise you have to be quick to act, if you wait long enough you will only see tail end of it.

First you notice is the snow and ice melting.The fields with the soil coming visible and mornings of mist. Everything is brown. Only moss glows green. The lakes and sea is been freed from under the ice.

Everywhere! Forget about the weather for a moment, and think only about daylight. In terms of daylight, the knowledge that spring is here – and summer is coming – permeates all of nature on the northern half of Earth’s globe.

Notice the arc of the sun across the sky each day. You’ll find that it’s shifting toward the north. Responding to the change in daylight, birds and butterflies are migrating back northward, too, along with the path of the sun.

The longer days do bring with them warmer weather. People are leaving their winter coats at home. eople are raking the leaves from their yards. Trees are budding, and plants are beginning a new cycle of growth. In many places, spring flowers are beginning to bloom.

new fresh green – not visible here yet, but it is a sign of the glorious days of spring finaly here.

Spring is full of hope, l ight, beauty and blooming of nature. One of the best of season’s

#Lens-Artists #Lens-Artists Challange

Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #240 – The road taken

lens-artists, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #240 – The Road (most often) Taken.

John from Journeys with Johnbo is hosting this week, this week’s theme is metaphoric–and not about a physical road. For this week’s challenge, I want you to think of your favorite type or style of photography as the road you’ve chosen to take most often.

I got my first own camera in my late teens. I took photos of friends and family and photos when traveling. Safe to say there are not that many photos from back then, film was expensive as was the development, and you never knew how they turned out until you got the envelope back.

When I got my kids, well I took tons of pictures of them, here I found few from the archives that I have scanned. So safe to say, I am a people photographer from the beginning. I must say, I have improved a lot, even if I say so myself over the years. I love taking photos of people trying to capture something real, and try to find the beauty we all have in ourselves, fing the best angle to get a the essence of what I see. Now I photograph my grandkids and my husband is often in my photos if I need to get a heasshot for some challenge.

Eventually when I got my first good camera I started taking photos of nature, photos from our travels. Then I got a new macro lens – then details. I learned to edit my photos and that made my photos get better, me being able to highlight more what I what to showcase in the photo.

I have mixed some of my early on photos with some newest ones. Basically I take photos of what ever I fancy, anything that catches my eye, that I find intersting I take photos of.

I have to say that hiking to place that are far and through difficult tracks is not my thing. Even though I admire the beautiful photos other have captured from these place. I look for topic near me 🙂

#Lens-Artists #Lens-Artists Challange

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages

lens-artists, Photography, Travel

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages is hosted by Donna from Wind Kisses , LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #234:-Messages

Donna Wrote; To some, photography is formal, with clear and concise messages. Others want you to feel the photos, and take away impressions from what you see. At the end of the day, it is always our story, driven by our character and passions, that we showcase.

As I’ve stated before I am not a very technical photographer, more into composition, mood. I do my magic on the edit table mostly, if you can call it magic, more like my interpretation of places and people. I am also not one to write all that much, let the photos speack for themselves.

I think some of these speaks, relates a story. Hope you agree 🙂 I find monochrome images are great way to showcase messages of emotions and action as all unnecessary is taken away

In colors also – obviously.

Nature in all its forms speaks volumes

I have two cameras an old reliable SONY SLT-A65V, and I have two lences I use with it one for Macro Sony Macro 2.8/50 and portraits. The other for nearly everything a Sony 18-200mm.

The Sony has been in less use since I bought a new lighter one to carry around, its a Olympus E-M10 Mark II with a 14-150mm lense and I have a OM-D M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 for street and portrait photography

How to Survive November 2022 – 8

how to survive November, People, Photography

I find this challenge harder than I thought, finding an image to go to a song is harder that I thought. Some of the songs that I like are hard to connect to a photo. This It took me quite some time to come up with an image.

This is singer, I love his voice, he is one of my absolute favorite artists, this man is able to touch every single part of my brain, soul and body just with his voice.

Paolo Nutini is a soul-influenced alternative singer-songwriter from Paisley, Scotland. He grew up listening to a range of folk, opera, jazz, and his father’s R&B favourites. Nutini’s debut album, These Streets, released in 2006 achieved double-platinum status and sent the four singles ‘Last Request’, ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’, ‘Rewind’ and ‘New Shoes’ into the Top 40.

His catalogue has also ‘Sunny Side Up’ as well as 2014 album ‘Caustic Love’ which produced the hit singles ‘Candy’, ‘Let Me Down Easy’

From the corner of my eye
To the back of my mind
I recognize what you mean to me
And though the corners of our pictures
Are a long time frayed
They still symbolize what you mean to me

You ask me to remember
A kiss is but a kiss
Like I’d be a fool to want more from you

Thanks PARALLEL LINES |in scale for hosting How to Survive November once again.

At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!

52 Frames: Week 43: Details!

52 Frames, Captures from Finland

Take a moment. Look at something, anything around you – what do you see? What do you notice? That’s right – our eyes take in the big picture, but then move in closer to see the Details. That’s just how we humans work – we instinctively want to look at things and then parts of those things.

I am often post details, one of my favorite ways to show you how I see the world around me. So much beauty can found near and far in small or sometimes big details.

I have taken macro shots of nature this week and it fits this topic ever so well. The others are from my archives.

The wrinkles, special features and texture of our faces in portrait. Capturing fine, rarely seen details in a macro shot – maybe abstract, or in Nature. Maybe it’s that detail on the building you pass every day, but rarely take a moment to notice.

Craft an image that shows off the details of your choice of subject. Focus, contrast and composition will play a key role , so it’s both a creative and technical challenge

By capturing an image and looking for the picture within a picture, you’ll be able to capture exquisite details that you’d probably normally overlook. When you start noticing the details, a world of new and possible images opens up to you.

I love taking photos of machinery, rust the photographic details there are to be found

Beautiful in Black and White 7

Black and White photos

The circus in black and white photos has it’s own kind of mood.

Outside the kids looked at this Martine van from Holland

52 Frames: Week 28: Silhouette -v2

52 Frames, People

Photography is drawing with light and this week’s Silhouette challenge firmly shows us that. A silhouette is about bringing together contrasts of a well-lit background against a dark subject, making the subject’s shape and outline as the main point of focus. A silhouette balances what the viewer sees alongside the darker toned facets of the subject that are intentionally kept hidden from the light.

Silhouettes are a great way to tell a story while leaving it up to the imagination of the viewer – there aren’t visible features to express emotion, so your viewer will fill in details depending on the context of the image – use this to direct your viewer’s line of thinking.

This is a lesson in exposure, composition and creativity all coming together. While silhouettes are outline.. Portraits, Still Life, Architecture and Nature typically make for good silhouette genres.

Silhouettes can often convey some kind of mystic story. By leaving the details in the dark, the story becomes compelling and the viewer is more engaged with the picture.

I was nearly ready to cheat, until my youngest grandson said he would let me take a photo of him. It was a rainy day and he sat by the window with a cuddly fox. Here was my opportunity to capture a silhouette

52 Frames: Week 28: Silhouette!!

52 Frames, Traveling Crete

This is a lesson in exposure, composition and creativity all coming together. While silhouettes are commonly shot in the day and at golden / blue hours, you can absolutely shoot silhouettes at night too. This will work best when the object being shot is recognizable through their well-defined shape and outline.. Portraits, Still Life, Architecture and Nature typically make for good silhouette genres.

Silhouettes can often convey some kind of mystic story. By leaving the details in the dark, the story becomes compelling and the viewer is more engaged with the picture.

I would have loved to use these shots I took at Crete as they would have suited this challenge perfectly, but no, still I think they are great examples of silhouette! But I will have to come up with something new for the challenge or I could cheat… no, I won’t do that.

TIPS:

Background Choice: Very often, we blur out the background and pay less attention to it. Here, pay a little extra attention to your choice of background. Make it contrast with the shape of your main subject.
Narrow Aperture: Shoot with a relatively narrow aperture of f/8 or higher to reduce the amount of light falling on your sensor, getting great Depth Of Field and also reducing chromatic aberrations especially if you’re shooting into the light.
Metering: We want to “trick” our camera into intentionally under-exposing the subject. So use spot metering or expose for the background.
Post-processing: Use software wisely – in post processing, it’s generally helpful to boost the contrast in your image, add more saturation, and increase the blacks slightly to improve a silhouette shot.

52 Frames: Week 27: Negative Space!!

52 Frames, Flowers

Less is more. This week’s Negative Space challenge is what those words are all about. Make your composition’s subject stand out by ensuring you eliminate clutter, distractions and sometimes even a background.

Many minimalistic photography images have a great deal of negative space to isolate the subject. There are tons of genres and ideas that would make for very compelling shots – architecture, landscapes, portraits, food photography, abstracts and so much more. Think about the story or emotion you’d like to convey to your viewer and compose your shot after taking some time to think about it.

We’re looking for clear, un-cluttered images where the space surrounding the main subject or idea enhances your shot by taking the viewer’s eye straight there. That little bit of extra space allows for breathing room and leaves no doubt as to what the main point of interest is.

There’s magic in negative space, when used wisely, so think, breathe, shoot…

TIPS:

Zoom with your feet: Move around to get the best composition for your photo.
Different shooting angles: Because everything else is simplified in your frame, you have more license to “break” the rules of typical composition, for example where your subject is placed in the frame, or where they are looking.
Find your background first: Go on a hunt for a red brick wall, or a blue garage door, then place your subject in front of it.
Balance: Use the negative space to balance out the main subject. Don’t go overboard with the negative space, making it hard for the viewer to understand and absorb the main focus point of your shot.
Shoot wide open: That dreamy, creamy bokeh is a great way to simplify your subject’s background, and keep the frame more minimalistic.

I would have loved to use some of the shots I took at Crete as they would have suited this challenge perfectly, but no, still I think they are great examples of negative space.