The cold icy signs of spring greeted me with a serene beauty that took my breath away. As I gazed at the tranquil blue sky and observed the icy waters glistening in the sunlight, I couldn’t help but feel happy by the enchanting sights that surrounded me. It was as if the ice itself had a story to tell, weaving a tale of nature’s artistry and resilience, resulting in a series of beautiful blue photos that serve as a testament to the ephemeral yet captivating essence of the season.
Bubbles in ice
The bubbles trapped within the frozen expanse of ice are truly a wondrous sight to behold. It’s as if nature itself has meticulously crafted a breathtaking work of art, with each delicate bubble suspended in time, waiting to be admired. It serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable beauty that can be found in the most unexpected of places, just waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
I loved this moody and atmospheric scene with silhouetted trees against a cloudy sky, I took it while in a moving car when traveling in Australia. I loved edited it to a minimalist style. The stark contrast between the dark silhouettes of the trees and the cloudy sky creates a sense of depth and mystery. In the end the edit came out serene and slightly ominous mood.
The sun, a gentle artist, paints the world in hues of serenity. In this frozen tableau, the shoreline stands as a sentinel, its icy armor glistening under the morning light. The partially frozen water whispers secrets of seasons past, its surface etched with delicate patterns.
hues of serenity
Beyond, the open expanse of water cradles vessels—silent witnesses to the ebb and flow of time. Their hulls, weathered and wise, navigate the boundary between liquid and frozen realms. Against the vast canvas of sky, they appear as mere brushstrokes, their purpose inscribed in the dance of wind and current.
Vessels navigate the boundary between liquid and frozen realms.
The heavens, too, play their part. Wisps of cloud drift lazily, casting fleeting shadows upon the ice. The azure expanse stretches infinitely, inviting contemplation and wonder. And there, on the distant horizon, where sky meets sea, a promise lingers—a promise of journeys yet to unfold.
As the day unfolds, this frozen symphony will thaw, yielding to life’s perpetual rhythm. But for now, let us linger—a moment suspended in time—captivated by the quietude of this frozen seascape.
A building with a warm, yellow facade, features rectangular windows, each framed in white. On the left side, a small balcony french balcony. Shadows of bare tree branches are cast upon the building’s facade, creating an artistic pattern. The blue sky reflected in the windows show the fair weather of this day.
The warm yellow hue of the building’s facade, the crisp white window frames, and the intricate patterns created by the tree shadows make this shot interesting.
On this March day, it was windy, a bit cold but sunny. I watched these – I am assuming that these people walking on the icr are artists living on the island. I was, as were many other walkers taking photos of then walking on the ice – as there was open sea and under currants there. We could not believe that they were doing it – too dangerous, all of us saying, no one will be able to come and rescue them if they fall into the ice. Yes, we finns do speak to each other even if we don’t know each other 🙂
Harakka Island is located a few minutes’ boat ride away from Kaivopuisto, by the open sea and in the middle of the delicate nature of the archipelago. The richness of the island’s vegetation and bird population is unparalleled. There are four nature reserves on the island.
March day in Helsinki
There is also Harakka Artists’ House on Harakka island houses 30 studios for professional artists and artisans.
These artists walking home over the ice, it caused many of us watcher’s missed heartbeats as there was open sea very close and undercurrents that might cause the ice to break.
What a beautiful cavalcade of photographs Ann- Christine presented us in her unique challenge this week. Circular wonders is something that does make your think first of moon, sun, and ball. No? But you can find it in unexpected places when you take a moment to think about it. Half or full circle …
I did some digging and this is what I found. To enlarge the images just click on any of them the the separate galleries – I recommend it 🙂
Now that I covered the obvious choices it is time to concentrate finding something more creative. Few days ago we took our grandkids at the end of their visit to the Helsinki train station and went to have lunch at one of the restaurants there. It used to be a ticket office. It is a big hall, but the interior is softened by circular interior.
Half circle is a log time hit in architecture . The images are from a jewel of national romantic architecture Hvitträsk museum in Espoo ( the darker photos) and the other two from Villa San Michele in Capri.
I did mentions a ball ⚽ Well come on, I could not, not mention fruits and berries.
And then round – circular things that came up and I couldn’t help myself – just had to post them
Thanks John for last week’s journey to the basics of photography. I truly enjoyed it, as it gave the opportunity to reflect on what is essential in photography. Next week we have Patti challenging us with something else, we will have to wait and see what she comes up with.
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.
Charles Aznavour – Tous les visages de l’amour / She
This popped up – and it is such recognized song, mostly as sung by Elvis Costello in ‘Notting Hill’
Aznavour recorded the song in several different languages aside from English, including Spanish, German Italian and his native French.
This was the theme from the UK TV series The Seven Faces of Women. It was written by Herbert Kretzmer, the lyricist of Les Miserables, and Aznavour, who wrote the music.
Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics
On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.
A serene and secluded forest path, enveloped by tall, lush green trees in Queensland. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, inviting trail. It was a delight to venture along this winding path.
I could not resist, I did two edits of this photo.
I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.
From an aerial vantage point, we peer down onto a nondescript sidewalk. The pavement, a patchwork of square tiles, stretches ahead like a monochromatic ribbon. But it’s not the pavement that captures our attention; it’s the lone figure treading upon it. A person walks, the posture suggests introspection—a deliberate escape from the cacophony of urban life or just maybe she is lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to the world around her .
On either side of the sidewalk, lush trees stand sentinel. Their leaves form a natural canopy, filtering sunlight into dappled patterns. Their branches reach out, as if urging the wanderer to pause, to breathe, to listen. Adjacent to the trees, empty bicycle racks stand in orderly rows. They wait patiently, like forgotten companions, for riders who haven’t arrived. Numbers—cryptic symbols—adorn the road. “20” and “20.” Are they parking spots? Coordinates? We can only speculate. Yet, these markings lend an air of mystery, inviting us to unravel their meaning.
Have a I captured this fleeting moment, preserving it for eternity, a glimpse of quietude.
In this shot you are invited to step into the wanderer’s shoes. To feel the coolness of the pavement, the rustle of leaves, and the weight of our own thoughts. It’s a reminder that amidst the hustle, we can find stillness; in the ordinary, we discover the extraordinary.
So, take a breath. Walk alongside the solitary figure. Let the greenery envelop you. And in this urban reverie, find your own moment of reflection.
Remember: Sometimes, it’s in the spaces between footsteps that life speaks loudest.
20/20
The scene unfolds like a forgotten interlude—a pause in the symphony of urban life. The buildings, stoic and weathered, stand shoulder to shoulder, their walls bearing the marks of time. The beige structure, unassuming yet dignified, seems to lean slightly, as if sharing a secret with its crimson neighbor. And there, nestled between them, lies the narrow street—a silent conduit for wheels and footsteps.
The cars, like obedient sentinels, rest in neat rows. Their colors—pearl white, midnight black—mirror the monochrome palette of the pavement.
And then, the trees. Ah, the trees! their branches stretch upward, defiant against the rigid geometry of man-made structures. Leaves flutter in the breeze, casting fleeting shadows on the asphalt. No bustling crowds disturb this tableau. Only one’s hurried footsteps echo off the walls.
Amidst the beige and the red, the cars and the trees, we glimpse the poetry of stillness.
Here are some photos I took from our visit to the EMMA museum in Espoo.
Below ROLAND PERSSON, PANAMA PAPERS, 2016
Glass and ceramics are made from natural raw materials. When cared for properly, they can last forever. Their enduring appeal rests upon a legacy of skills and knowledge passed down through generations. The visionary artists featured in this collection have been inspired and influenced by international trends, but their work is also informed by local traditions. The result is a unique creative fusion.
Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968, the Futuro House is a round, prefabricated dwelling that resembles a flying saucer. Its unique shape and airplane hatch entrance have made it an iconic piece of architecture.
Exhibition Centre WeeGee in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, houses the first-ever mass-produced Futuro house (No. 001)
This week it’s very straightforward – photos of different textures. I took my time looking for these and ended up with, once again, too many images. I took lead from Sarah’s great samples.
All images can be enlarged by clicking on them. For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Of the many composition factors in photography, this challenge focuses on Shape, Form, Texture, and Light, that’s what John’s from Journeys with Johnbo challenge this week is about. I really had to concentrate on this one, not the easiest to tackle. Thank you John for providing great samples to get me started.
Photographers often capitalize on the architects’ use of triangles, circles, rectangles, arches, and other basic shapes.
Click on the photos to see the larger images of this Amalfi Catholic church and the many shapes it has. Also the last shot from Capri has some nice arches.
For Geometric form I am taking you to Paris 🙂
The difference between shape and form can be muddy, but artists typically consider shape to be two-dimensional while a form is three-dimensional. Organic form in flowers – in black and white from my garden.
Texture images entice viewers, create moods, and communicate ideas. Old rusty tools, newspaper clippings on wood show the time added textures. The spiders’ web with droplets and decay of the flower has a lovely texture. The vibrant orange jellyfish gracefully floating. The jellyfish exhibits delicate, translucent tentacles that appear to glow, and its bell-shaped body displays intricate textures and layers.
Capturing light.
Photos wouldn’t be possible without light and since the first cameras, capturing light is what photography is all about. This is the most important thing about photography. I still have tons to learn more about it. There are so many ways to describe light in photography; Ambient Lighting, Long Exposure, Key Light, Light Soft or Hard . It does not matter what you call you need to use it , or you don’t have a photo’s.
Last week I hosted my first official challenge as team member. I was happy to see all your responses and how you all have interpreted the topic. So many beautiful posts. Thank you for the nice welcome you gave me. I did my best to notice all your entries.
Next week Ann-Christine of (aka Leya) is hosting, and she always has interesting topics and her photography is beautiful and inspirational, always a blog worth a visit.
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.
I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.
For some reason I have lots of window shots newly edited, due to having gone through the archives lately looking for forgotten gems . This looked good as a square, a view to a bar. As I played with it I did two edits and I prefer the one on the top with the faded colors and haze finnish.
I do like editing and see if can capture mood I was in when I took the shot. Mellow maybe?
This year we did not fly to the sun vacation due to many reasons, so this week we have been visiting few museum. We went to see the collection exhibition; A Question of Time reflects on the major questions of our time through art. The exhibition also offers fresh perspectives into Finland’s oldest and most extensive art collection and how it was built.
Here are few doors from the Ateneum – Finnish National Gallery entrance and few doorways at the museum.
It’s amazing how a fresh perspective and improved skills can breathe new life into old photos. The process of revisiting and reimagining them can be quite rewarding; it allowed me to uncover hidden photos that I previously overlooked. Embracing artistic freedom and honing your editing skills can truly transform the way one looks at your own captures.
I took these in Australia, but I ignored them previously due to not being sharp enough. But with a bit of artistic liberties they turned out to be Okey shots. First shot is from Sydney and the other from Melbourne
I don’t often crop my photos to square, but since I did one, why not try few more just for the fun of it. It does sometimes bring different things to the main focus.
For some reason I have lots of window shots newly edited, due to having gone through the archives lately looking for forgotten gems . This looked good as a square.
Becky is back again with her Square ⬜ Photo Challenges and I thought I’d give it a go. I don’t often crop my photos to square . This month the subject is Square Odds.
I don’t do odd – or do I ? I do whatever catches my eye. This time I looked up these shoes.
Spent few hours with a friend on Saturday, catching up and making the world a better place. At the same time I took these shots looking down to the escalator. But I could not resist editing few versions of it.
When you cannot fall asleep can truly be overwhelming. The struggle of tossing and turning in bed, desperately trying to find a comfortable position as the minutes tick by. The sensation of aches and pains only adds to the anxiety, and the mind races with thoughts, making it even more difficult to find peace. As you lay there, all of this happening, to hear the gentle rhythm of your husband’s breathing as he peacefully can sometimes be annoying.
In those moments, the smallest details can capture our attention, offering a brief distraction from the turbulent thoughts. The way the light filters through the slightly open door, casting shadows on the door. And so, I reached for my phone, seeking to capture a sliver of tranquility in the midst of chaos
As I approached the room, I saw a deer right outside the window, peacefully nibbling on the tree just in front of the window. It was a serene and charming sight. Mesmerized by the scene, I found myself standing there, watching the deer for what felt like an eternity, completely lost in the moment. After a while, I reluctantly tore myself away and hurried back to retrieve my camera, hoping to capture the enchanting moment. However, by the time I returned, the deer had gracefully moved on.
Instead of getting the shot of the deer I imagined getting, I got these.
Capturing the play of light and shadows in a room at night , the way the light softly filters through the blinds, casting intricate shadows on the walls, adds an ethereal quality to the scene. There’s something enchanting about night photography, as it offers a unique perspective on familiar surroundings. The interplay of darkness and light creates a captivating atmosphere.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 