We had an amazing weekend to capture, clouds and reflections.
These are taken at lake Pikku-Kukkanen (Small flower) I was able to capture beautiful reflections on the lake and there were two swans further away, so I really missed noth having my camera with me. In the first shot the exposure was low so the clouds came out really dark. I like the intensity of the atmosphere.
We had an amazing weekend to capture, clouds, mist and rainbows as the weather was mostly cloudy, but few moments of light. I happened to be in those to capture some beauty. Most are taken by mobile phone, because, well it was so cloudy when we left, and I thought that there would be nothing to photograph. How wrong I was! I usually have my camera with me, once again a great reminder that, Ritva, keep it with you, you never know what you can see.
These are taken at lake Iso-Kukkanen (Big flower) I was able to capture beautiful reflections on the lake.
I did have an idea at to begin with to this challenge, yesterday I was given too many options. If you have read or seen any of my posts you will know, well, I have a dilemma . Drove to Helsinki to check out the beautiful city library, the whole square where it is located is full of reflection opportunities.
Light. That’s the medium photographers create their art with. We usually play with light and shadows but this week we’re going to try something often overlooked – Reflections. Boost your photo’s aesthetic by using reflections – add more depth and complexity with this aspect of photography and see the world in a whole new way.
The first shot is not from there but from my office window as I thought it came out rather nicely.
Be creative and think of using symmetry with mirrors or tangentially, go beyond the literal. Visualize your composition, be patient and don’t hesitate to try new stuff out to get a great shot.
Take time to observe your surroundings for cool opportunities out there or feel free to make your own indoors. Just ask yourself: “What is the light doing here ?”
Oodi is a striking building with its glass and steel structures and wooden façade, its design a combination of traditional and contemporary flavours. The energy-efficient library is an impressive calling card for Finnish architecture.
Below are reflections on the Music Hall in Helsinki
We have had rather gray and rainy September, the forecast was predicting that to this weekend also so we decided to stay at home. But no, rather we had a nice weather, Sunday particularly was lovely.
These are my sunny Sunday shots.
Pickings from my road trip. I love capturing reflections, these are from the Fiskarsinjoki river.
The Fiskarsinjoki river runs through a park-like cultural landscape as you could see few photos in a previous post. Along a fairly evenly flowing river there is some rocky, rapids section. The water is quite clear. The Fiskarsinjoki is relatively flat, although it has a few bottlenecks.
These are taken at park-like section 🙂 before and after a the Fiskars’ mill. The Original was already in active use in the 1620s, the new mill was built of slag brick in 1898 on the site of the old mill. the Photos of the mill windows were in the previous post.
No way getting over it, it is still winter. It looks lovely no denying that either. Lots of folks I know are really enjoying this. So lets be happy for them 🙂 The singing of the birds carries the notes of spring. All good. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
This is a sign that we are glad to see, not spring, but a hope of it. Areas of open water in places where there is a nice current in the water. The first one is from the end of rapids, as the water enters the lake. The second is from a river.
Now we are at heart of November, even gray morning, dull would be the best word to describe it! Grays in different shades can be beautiful, but not this. Veikka is purring an keeping me company, laying on my desk, so soft and furry and content looking big cat. Boy, he sheds so much fur 🙂
Once again it 2 PM, to my surprise there is slight line of baby blue in the skyline. one thing to ne happy about in an otherwise BORING day. Now I have wo cats sitting on the desk and looking out of the window keeping me company.
I was so out of ideas that I could take photos of at home. So I took this reflection photo.
I took this photo of a Asian woman taking a selfie a year ago. I tried two different variations of black and white editing, by changing the contrasts and emphasis of lights, I feel there is a notable change of the mood in them. I myself prefer the darker version.
If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES
Beautiful morning enjoying nature is good for the mind and soul
I am rather happy with this first capture of a Sacred Ibis, I saw In Sydney, Australia at our visit there: I named this post first, A Stork, it is in fact a Sacred Ibis I was kindly informed. So correction is in order.
Waiting in the car and killing time taking pictures
It is mid November, the darkness and grayness is starting to get to me. This is the time I start to hibernate. I have no desire to go out or do much. I have decided to try to pass this period by posting photos from my trip in October to Las Vegas and California. I have posted several in my FB profile but now I will try to tackle them in chronicler order. So my first photos are from the hotel that we stayed at in Las Vegas The Aria Resort and Casino. I am not a gambler, but I did spend some time at the pool and walked through the place several time. It is huge, just to get out you end up walking a kilometer
The reflections on the main entrance door are rather good
reflections on our hotel in Las Vegas
I have been busy. I took up sculpture and painting again. Also planning our next trip. So I have not been active taking photos. Fall is here again so one for the road. Monday we are flying to LA and Las Vegas. I’m sure I will post some pictures taken with my mobile phone. 
Sjundby river in winter. What a beautiful and photogenic place 
We were rather tired the first day so we walked a bit, some street shots of Sydney few days before Xmas. Our first day and it was raining.
Almost over, November the grayest month of all. Darkness is so strong, but there has been few nice sunsets too. Here is one witnessed at a small boat pier. Looking the other way you saw sunset and on the other moon rising.
In my memories I am Still at Chapora river in India. the colorful houses, boats, they fit. Here in Finland I think these colors look too bright, vibrant, but over there…just perfect. I took so many photos of these fishing boat. Most likely you will be, enough is enough.
I am going to continue with macro shots, hope you enjoy the colorful bubbles.
Shooting bubbles in a glass. I think the most trying thing to get right was the mixture of dishwasher and oil and obviously the amount of water. This is my first attempt, you might see more of these in the future.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 