Street photography – cafe

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.

Helsinki at night – looking into a cafe seeing people enjoying the company of friends.

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.

Lens-Artists Challenge #270 – On Display

This week Ann-Christine inspires us with, On Display. In her post, she has fine examples, check her post out and be inspired. This one is really making display of himself – the pink dude.

So many things are on display, such a wide topic really. Here are few…

A view on display with a table set for three – after the fact of having lunch.

Art displays, whether in parks, museums windows, or buildings, offer glimpses into the vibrant world of creativity. They serve as portals to different eras, cultures, and perspectives, stimulating our imagination and invoking a range of emotions. From timeless masterpieces to contemporary installations, art displays invite us to explore, contemplate, and appreciate the beauty and power of human expression. So, step into the world of art and let your senses be awakened by the captivating displays before you.

A fashion window display is a captivating visual representation of clothing, accessories, or other fashionable items that are showcased in the display windows of retail stores. These displays are strategically designed to grab the attention of passersby and entice them to enter the store. Fashion windows often feature stylish mannequins showcasing the latest trends, innovative design elements, eye-catching props, and creative lighting to create a visually stunning and immersive experience for potential customers.

Marketplace displays are an essential component of any vibrant shopping experience. These displays creatively showcase a wide range of products, enticing shoppers with their visual appeal and strategic placement. From colorful fruits and vegetables arranged in eye-catching patterns to neatly stacked shelves displaying various merchandise, marketplace displays are strategically designed to capture attention and encourage purchases. With their vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and captivating arrangements, these displays create a sensory experience that engages shoppers and enhances their overall shopping journey. Whether it’s a meticulously decorated bakery section or a beautifully arranged floral display, marketplace displays are an art form that not only adds to the ambiance but also helps customers discover new products and make informed choices.

When it comes to displaying liquor in a bar, there are several key selling points to consider:

Visibility: A well-designed liquor display should ensure the visibility of the bottles, .

Brand Showcase: Use the display to showcase your bar’s featured or premium brands. Highlighting high-end or exclusive spirits can pique customers’ interest and encourage them to explore new options or indulge in something special.

Lighting and Ambiance. LED lighting can create an eye-catching display that adds to the overall ambiance of the bar.

Information. Provide customers with useful information about each liquor bottle displayed.

It should captivate customers, inspire exploration, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of your bar.

Soon is Halloween and people have lots of decorations on display


Posted for Ann-Christine’s Lens-Artists Challenge

october

it is really hard to be inspired by October today, really, today being a good sample of weather i don’t enjoy. The colors are lovely, but this is the beginning of the time of year that I do not like at all, shorter day, less light, It is what it is.

Time to start cleaning the summer house for winter.

The positive thoughts about it 🙂

October, with its crisp air and vibrant hues, signifies the arrival of autumn in all its splendor. This bewitching month holds a special place in the hearts of many, casting a spell of warmth and nostalgia.

As the days grow shorter and the leaves turn from green to shades of gold, he gentle rustling of fallen leaves underfoot.

Nature, at its finest, paints breathtaking landscapes during this time of year. The forests transform into a picturesque mosaic of fiery reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows. T

October serves as a transition from the vibrancy of summer to the serenity of winter. It beckons us to embrace change, to welcome the cozy comforts that colder days bring. It reminds us to pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the fleeting beauty that surrounds us.

So, as October unfolds its enchanting charm, let us immerse ourselves in its wonders. Let us revel in the simple joys it bestows and find solace in the gentle embrace of autumn’s embrace.

Autumn II

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

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Autumn: a tapestry of vibrant hues and gentle transitions, where nature bids summer adieu and welcomes the season of reflection and harvest.

Lave view at Salajärvi
changing colors
LOW LIGHT
reeds in fall colors

Flower of the day- 06 10 2023

First of all, I do not know the name of this plant. It is one that blooms later in the summer…early fall.

We had frost first time this year on the ground this morning, temperature was down to 1 C ( 33F) a bit cold. The say is sunny which is nice. Tomorrow is supposed to rain all day long.

Yellow flowers of fall with a bit of frostbite

The close-up shot

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

close ups of a flax wreath

Flax – I have a flax wreath on my door. So here are some close ups of it.

In addition to their visual appeal, red berries have symbolic meanings in different cultures. They are often associated with love, romance, and renewal. In ancient folklore, red berries were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

The close-up shots reveal their intricate details and the play of light on their smooth surfaces. It’s fascinating to observe the variations in size, shape, and texture among different types of red berries.

Posted for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

 the honeydew (Armillaria borealis)

 The honeydew mushrooms with nice bokeh background, I m happy how I was able to capture the texture especially in the first shot. Color version of the previous post of mushrooms

Mushrooms in composition that could have been staged.

Colorful bokeh was a nice surprise 🤨

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome – the honeydew

 The honeydew mushrooms with nice bokeh background, I m happy how I was able to capture the texture especially in the first shot. Also the change of the gray tone has an effect on the outcome of the mood.

Mushrooms

I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome – take time to read

Here are some images from the library, one could assume that people would be reading books, but most seemed to have a phone in their hands.

What is reading but silent conversation? Walter Savage Landor
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. George R.R. Martin
Looking down

I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Flower of the day- 03 10 2023

Red berries are a vibrant and eye-catching sight in nature. Their deep red color is often associated with passion, energy, and vitality.

In addition to their visual appeal, red berries have symbolic meanings in different cultures. They are often associated with love, romance, and renewal. In ancient folklore, red berries were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

The close-up shots reveal their intricate details and the play of light on their smooth surfaces. It’s fascinating to observe the variations in size, shape, and texture among different types of red berries.

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

tapestry of golden hues

Autumn brings a captivating transformation to the fields, as the veil of summer is gently lifted. The once lush and green landscapes now unveil a breathtaking tapestry of golden hues, as the crops sway gracefully in the cool breeze. The rhythmic dance of nature’s palette, with shades of amber, russet, and bronze, creates a picturesque scene that stirs the soul. As the sun bathes the fields in its warm, honeyed light, one can’t help but be enchanted by the serene beauty that autumn bestows upon the cropped fields. Is. Amidst the rustling leaves and the scent of earth, there’s a sense of tranquility that envelops the surroundings, inviting us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the wonders of this season.

Brown and yellow – orange tones in the field
empty fields
framed view

Lens-Artists Challenge #269: On the Edge

Patti wants us to explore “the edges.”

What have you captured “On the Edge” of buildings, cliffs, rivers, beaches, tables, shelves, your finger, or your dinner plate? Feel free to use any kind of edge you can think of. You can also take the theme sideways…veering off into another meaning of “on the edge.” Think of “unconventional” or “edgy” or “avant garde.”

Lets go back and think about this, I was never afraid to be on the edge until recently as I’ve developed some balance problems, I don’t trust myself not to fall. And I have lived on the edge in many of my decisions, like moving to another country on a whim… no more about that.

Patti’s images are are beautiful, check them out be inspired.

This swimmer is certainly On the edge of the cliff

I was looking at Janet’s post and this came to mind. Kid’s, grandkids – there is a difference how treat them, I knew what my kid’s were able to do, I trusted their skills. I certainly was not on the edge with them as I am with my son’s boy’s. I know they are very active and sporty boys, but as my youngest grand kid was on that edge I was so anxious that he would fall down. My son, not so much 🙂

This is from Australia, taken from the twelve apostles. I was more than once on the edge when I took these photos.

This is from last night, I saw Patti’s post and same time I was watching soccer with my husband and enjoying a glass of wine and the players came on the edge of my glass. ( I have to say it took many, many shot to get them right on the edge.) Not much of a picture, but I had fun with it.

I was hanging literally over the edge to get this lizard shots

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Often when taking landscape pictures of cliffs, you need to go to the edge to get a nice one, or that is my way of thinking.

Once again reaching out of the edge to get a nice shot, this time of the sphinx on the edge..

Lets relax on the edge of the hill enjoy the view of the valley below.

Or at the edge of the water

Posted for Patti’s Lens-Artists Challenge

Flower of the day- 30 09 2023

Laura Bush petunias offer vibrant, fragrant, magenta/purple flowers that contrast against dark green foliage in a spectacular fashion. This old-fashioned variety of petunia was specifically bred to achieve excellent heat tolerance and disease resistance, and that’s exactly what it has

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

People will say we’re in love

Don’t laugh at my jokes too much, People will say we’re in love
in Love? Don’t laugh at my jokes too much, People will say we’re in love

Six-Word Saturday 9.30.23

Flower of the day- The Cockspur Coral Tree

The Cockspur Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) is a large-flowered South American tree that is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks. It is the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay.

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Autumn

it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.

At Lake Ruuhijärvi

Autumn colors paint a breathtaking masterpiece on nature’s canvas. As the crisp air descends, the foliage transforms into a vibrant symphony of oranges, yellows, and reds. The once lush green leaves now burst with warmth and enchantment. Each tree becomes a glorious work of art, showcasing the beauty of transition. Take a moment to immerse yourself in this kaleidoscope of hues, as nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the season of harvest and reflection.

clouds over the lake
Someone left a broken kicksled outside ready for the winter
Darker clouds started to gather to the sky

Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Have to be careful

This summer/ autumn the mushrooms have been really popping up, I don’t remember when we have had this much of them pop up in our yard. I Don’t recognize them from each other, so I don’t pick them up. I take photos instead and buy the ones I eat, better safe than sorry .

White fly agaric

The white fly mushroom (Amanita virosa) is deadly poisonous. Dangerous cell toxins damage internal organs: kidneys, liver, heart muscle, brain and blood vessels.

The white fly mushroom is completely white, and the color does not change from contact or other handling. The cap is egg-shaped when young, then bell-shaped and almost flat when old. It is sticky when wet and silky shiny when dry, and slightly yellowed in the middle when older. The gills are permanently white.

The leg is also completely white. Its upper part has the characteristic sign of a fly agaric: a ragged and hanging ring. A good sign is also the thick, lumpy basal part of the foot surrounded by a sheath.

you can find them everywhere – don’t know this one

fly agaric have been popping up some of them are rather big

Armillaria borealis

I did some search about these mushrooms, and was surprised that they are editable. The cap of the honeydew(Armillaria borealis) mushroom has clear scales, the ring is strong and effervescent. The scales of the tadpole mushroom, on the other hand, are insignificant, its leg is club-like and often dirty yellow. The ring of the species is thin and pendulous and often disappears completely.

The way the species grow is also different: the mushroom grows in dense clumps on the stump.

Flower of the day – Oriental bittersweet

Oriental bittersweet is not flowering at the moment , but we are at the stage when the berries are yellow and leaves still green. Soon to turn orange and the leaves to turn yellow.

I like to see the leaves to entwine around each other

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Flow – river flow 2

Water, the essence of life, flows endlessly through the rocky crevices and gentle streams. It is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and transformation. Just like water, we too must learn to flow through life’s challenges, gracefully navigating the twists and turns that come our way.

Movement

Imagine a babbling brook, its gentle melody soothing your soul. The water, sparkling in the sunlight, dances over pebbles, creating a symphony of nature’s music. It reminds us to embrace the beauty and serenity of the present moment.

Pebbles in flowing water
flow – flow

As water cascades down a waterfall, it reminds us of the power and strength within us. With every drop that falls, it signifies the potential for change and growth. Just as the water carves its path through solid rock, we too can carve our own destiny, shaping our lives through determination and perseverance.

So let the flowing water be a constant source of inspiration. May it remind you to adapt, to embrace change, to find strength in the face of adversity, and to let your spirit flow freely. Like a river, may you navigate through life with grace and purpose, leaving your mark on the world.

Pebbles in sunlight with water flowing over them

gravel roads

I was playing with my photo, or should I say editing my images. I shoot in raw so I can easily play with the color tones and change the mood. Mostly I stay true to the actual photo. If I don’t I mostly bring it to in the open. I usually do not like over edited and color enhanced photos. If it is beautiful – it is that with out over doing it. There are lots of images like that in Instagram, the may look lovely. but realistic is long way from them.

As I’ve opened about that… lets go. The image above is the original photo. I have edited the light and contrast.

Below you can see too mood changes as I yellows and softened the greens to get a more autumn feel to it. The one on the right I added orange tones and blue tones to the green.. autumn also , but the mood is totally different.

Then there is the monochrome image. Time well spent editing ☺

Any thoughts about these, please share, I would love to have opinions on these.

Monochrome – gravel roads

The road may be beautiful or ugly; it may be easy or hard, smooth or rough, it doesn’t matter; what matters most is where the road will take you!

Mehmet Murat ildan

gravel road
Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. Lin Yutang
road in countryside

I love black and white photography – or monochrome, what evet we wish to call it. So under this Monochrome title I will try to post regularly images that I think look good in this format. Hope you enjoy them.

Posted for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Flow – river flow

The river makes the water flow. That’s how I live. I just let everything flow. Flow with the river.

Vitor Belfort

Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed. – Heraclitus

Flowing water

Flower of the day – fall phlox

Last chance this year to take photos of fall phloxes or other commonly used names are, garden phlox, perennial phlox, summer phlox, and panicled phlox.

Syysleimu (Phlox paniculata)

Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day

Lens-Artists Challenge #268 – Tell Us Why

Many thanks to Tina for this challenge.

She challenges us to choose up to a MAXIMUM OF TEN images which are your all-time favorites and tell us why you chose them.

I enjoyed looking through my archives to choose my favorite images. I have to say that I had really hard time picking the images. I had already a picked some images that I like to my blogs side banner. I noticed there are few that I chose here too. Some of my favorite shots .

Tina’s images for “Tell Us Why” are beautiful, check them out be inspired.

This image has the mood , an element that I enjoy catching. It is sea and clouds two topics that I love.

I took this on a supposed beach day in Florida, Del Ray Beach, that did not happen, instead I did get this

Again, I love the atmosphere in this night street shot, it was early October night, a bit of drizzle in the air as we walked in old town Nice, in France. I like the framing in this photo and the feeling of waiting that I sense in this photo.

Taken in Thailand in a temple in Phuket. This monk statue placed so that it looked at the mountains with well wishing bell hanging in front of it. Yes, Mood and I like how the photo is composed. If I would now edit it, I would remove the rope hanging that causes distraction.

Black and white still life from Verla It is a unique UNESCO World Heritage site that brings the turn of the 20th century to life. This is a detail from the THE MILL MUSEUM . I was given permit to take photos for a photograph exbibition that I had. This is one of my favorite shot of used cogwheels placed on the wall. The side window gave the shot beautiful light.

This is from Australia, taken from the twelve apostles. That coastline is so beautiful, I could have picked one of many shot I took there. I like the natural colors and the composition in this one, it is balanced and you can feel the cool wind.

I took this at the Helsinki Zoo as the brown bears were playing in the water. I le the movement and action in this animal photo. I like how the bears fits the frame and you can feel the energy they created in the moment.

This is from my home town of Kirkkonummi in Southern Finland. A road in afternoon light. The leading line of the gravel road and shadows from the low light gives it a mood and invite you to go t the light.

Composition and simplicity of the nature make this shot.

Well this one of my favorite shots of my husband, it fills the frame it is authentic in expression and you can see signs of life lived.

Sunset are lovely. spectacular color shows, but in my mind if you have something else also frame it is more interesting. This from Key West, Florida the sun setting and the pelican flying in front of a pier. The composition works and the silhouette’s of the background gives it depth.

Let’s end with a shot appropriate for the season. Colors, framing, leading lines make this shot.

The header is 10+1 it from Cape Verde . I love the colorful feeling of it the leisurely mood and I think the framing works. 🙂

Flower of the day – 24.9

A field full of flowers, and the farmer had posted a sign with a permission to pick them up for free.

I on took pictures of them. Calendula flowers shine bright

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For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

They can’t take that away from me

They can’t take that away from me…

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No no they can’t take that away from me

Six words in a the title and photo to match – linked to Six Word Saturday at Debbie’s