photo-challenge – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Lens-Artists Challenge #298: to be young again

As we delve into the intriguing theme of childhood, we must acknowledge the profound impact it has on shaping our perspectives and aspirations. Childhood represents a time of innocence and wonder, where the world is viewed through untainted eyes, brimming with limitless possibilities. Tina invites us this week to share our photos of children–from our family, our neighbors or friends, or simply children that we’ve seen when we’re out with our cameras.

Whether through the mischievous laughter of siblings or the spontaneous antics of neighborhood friends, the presence of children infuses our lives with a vibrant energy that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Embracing the sentiment of the title, the yearning to relive certain aspects of youth is undeniable, yet it is accompanied by the wisdom and contentment that comes with adulthood. Reflecting on the simplicity of childhood, it becomes evident that finding joy in life’s modest pleasures can indeed lead to a fulfilling existence.

All photos in the galleries can be enlarged with a click.

As I delved into the older archives, I uncovered a treasure trove of cherished memories encapsulated within the timeless images of my boys in their youth. The nostalgia that emanates from these photographs has the power to transport me back in time, evoking a sense of warmth and sentimentality. Each image offers a glimpse into the past, capturing the essence of a bygone era and immortalizing fleeting moments that hold profound significance. These timeless snapshots are more than mere photographs; they are windows to the past, allowing me to reconnect with the essence of my own past and the cherished stories that have shaped my life.

The anticipation of welcoming a new addition to the family is a truly joyous occasion. The prospect of another grandchild, a baby boy no less, brings with it a sense of excitement and celebration. I am looking forward to the happiness of a new family member as the energetic presence of three grandsons is set to be complemented by the arrival of a fourth. The bond between siblings and cousins is such a precious thing, and it’s heartwarming to see the family growing with each new arrival. These shots are taken by a proud grandma 🙂

While I’m inclined towards landscape and cityscape photography when traveling, I also find joy in photographing people, especially the little ones. Children have an unparalleled ability to exude authenticity through their expressions, and this is what draws me to capture their real emotions in my photographs. I strive to immortalize their genuine expression, curiosity, and wonder without resorting to posed or contrived smiles. It’s these honest and candid moments that truly encapsulate the pure spirit of childhood, and I cherish the opportunity to freeze these fleeting instances in time.

The experience of enjoying music and photos inspired by music is a truly special one. It’s fascinating how these art forms can intertwine, evoking emotions and memories in a way that few other things can. The combinations and associations between music and visuals can create a truly captivating experience for the audience. Music, in particular, has an incredible power to evoke memories, transporting us back to specific moments in time. Whether it’s a song that played during a significant life event or an album that brings back nostalgic feelings, music has the ability to connect us to our past in a unique way. Furthermore, it also has the remarkable ability to inspire us to create new memories and experiences. Thank you Egídio for a great challenge.

Next week is Patti’s turn to host. Please visit her site Saturday 11th May for more information on the challenge, I am sure she will once agains surprise us with something inspirational.

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.

appreciate the uniqueness of doors

Cities, Traveling US

Lately on Thursdays I have been posting photos of doors, since I started doing this I have discovered that I loads of them in my archives. Dan’s Thursday doors has given me a great reason to post them.

What is the fascination to take photos of doors, and I know I am not the only one. So I gave myself a t moment to think about it.

Door from Savannah and beautiful wrought iron stairs

Taking photos of doors has become a delightful pastime for many , myself included, and it’s fascinating how something as seemingly mundane as a door can capture our attention. I took so many door photos when we visited Savannah.

Is it the architectural beauty, as doors come in an array of styles, from grand wooden entrances to charming little garden gates, each door tells a unique story. Or is it capturing these details allows us to appreciate the beauty in everyday structures.

Is it because doors symbolize transitions, opportunities, and boundaries. Do they evoke feelings of curiosity, wonder, and anticipation. We wonder what lies beyond that closed door, and our imaginations take flight.

I have noticed as I focus on framing the shot, adjusting angles, and noticing small details, I become fully present in the moment. It’s a form of meditation—a way to escape the noise of daily life and immerse ourselves in the visual world. The act of observing and capturing doors and it’s surroundings becomes a calming moment.

A house with a row of door behind the wrought iron work fence

The surroundings around the doors change with the seasons. Flowers bloom around them in spring, leaves fall in autumn, and snow blankets their thresholds in winter. Always something new to discover. Additionally, the play of light and shadow on doors varies throughout the day. A door that looks ordinary in the morning might appear enchanting during golden hour.

So, the next time you encounter a captivating door, take a moment to appreciate its uniqueness. Capture it with your camera, and perhaps you’ll discover a hidden world waiting to be explored—one door at a time!

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 ☺

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

Lens-Artists Challenge #286 – Weather

Photography

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.

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 😂

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,

Lens-Artists Challenge #285 – Warm Colors

Photography

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

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #284 – Day and Night

lens-artists

Last week was truly an enjoyable experience as I delved into the world of quotes and poems for Ann- Christine. Selecting only few images was a challenge for me 🙂

This week Sofia gave us a fun challenge to showcase the difference between day and night. As Sofia mentioned, now that we’ve passed the Winter Equinox, the days are gradually getting longer, and we can finally bid farewell to the never-ending nights. We still have a good month or two to truly savor the increasing light, but we’re on the right track. So, here I am, sharing summer photos in the midst of winter… It won’t be long now, summer is on its way! Thank you to Sofia for inspiring us with Day and Night.

Not to be totally biased, I am also showing photos from cities little further away. Only due to that, do I have more than ten photos 😂

Hong Kong – view from Victoria Peak, known simply as The Peak, is a must-see Hong Kong destination — both day and night — offering iconic views of skyscraper-flanked Victoria Harbour, Kowloon peninsula and craggy mountain peaks.

The day light is still softly around, soft mist in the background, them blue moment arrives to slowly turning the day to night, the lights of the skyscrapers coming more visible changing the mood. Then darkness folds out the dark shield that hides out the scenery leaving the buildings in the lighted glory as main point.

White nights at a cosy Finnish summer house right by the water, relaxing baths at the sauna, skinny dipping in the clear lakes, magical moments in nature glowing in 50 shades of green and many more.

Finnish summer speciality is the fascinating natural phenomenon called Midnight Sun.

When nights are as bright as the day, you can do the same things you would like to do during the day. Go outside the house and enjoy the light and the calm. The purely magical moment is when the sun tries to set, and it paints the horizon from red to yellow and pink to purple. Everything around you is surrounded by beautiful bright light.

The Nordic region is known for its unique light conditions, influenced by drastic weather and daylight changes. The sun’s low position in the northern areas creates long shadows and side-oriented daylight, while the summer evenings are distinguished by a diffuse light. The distinct quality of Nordic daylight lies in its low angles and the gradual, breathtaking transitions of long sunrises, sunsets, and the enchanting “blue hour.”

People have developed a special relationship with light, intricately intertwined with the seasons and the variations in light. The high variability of light throughout the day, and especially between the winter and summer seasons, influences people’s traditions, color preferences, and overall connection to light. I for one, feel guilty in the summer if I spend too much time inside. When you have it you need to be outside.

Day, evening and night image from Sydney Harbour

Night and day in Níce

Key west day and night

Thank you to Sofia for inspiring us with Day and Night. Be sure to visit her beautiful examples for the challenge.

Next week, Egidio (Through Brazilian Eyes) will host his first official challenge with the Lens-Artists. His topic is Warm colors .Be sure to visit his inspirational site for more!