street photography – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Unique Doors and Buildings in Riga’s Streets

Photography, street photography, Traveling Riga, Latvia

I have so many doors and lovely buildings from Riga that I have not shared. So I decided to look at them with new eyes and with much better editing skills than I had back then. While wandering through the charming streets, I was struck by the unique architecture that embodies the rich history of the city. I took a trip to Riga with my sister in 2012, so these most likely do not look the same today as they did then, but all the same, they look charming to me. Each building tells a story, and the intricate designs and vibrant colors evoke a sense of nostalgia. I can’t help but admire how these lovely structures reflect the character and culture of Riga, serving as a beautiful reminder of our journey together.

Charming streets of Riga showcasing historical buildings and architectural details.

Charming entrance with wooden doors and decorative baskets, illuminated by soft sunlight.

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Thursday doors – Villefranche sur Mer

Black and White photos, Cities, Traveling France

I am utterly enchanted by the beauty of old buildings, their majestic arches and rustic charm drawing me in, their textures revealing the stories of time in all their weathered glory. The intricate details and historical significance of these structures deeply captivate me. I adore how light dances and contrasts, creating a mesmerizing play across the surfaces, illuminating the unique features of each masterpiece. I captured these at Villefranche sur Mer, a town that radiates charm and character at every corner. Yet, I acknowledge a composition mistake; I inadvertently cut off the arch, an essential element that conveyed the building’s grandeur, while focusing on the door, a moment I didn’t realize while I took it. This experience serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity to fully immerse oneself in a scene before pressing the shutter, as every element weaves together the photograph’s story.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

An arched doorway leading to a stone staircase, embodying the charm of old architecture.

A narrow passageway under arches with doors and rustic architecture

Busy doors

Cities, People, Photography

For Thursday Doors

Busy doors, sitting and watching people come in and out while waiting for my husband to come from his football match

Monochrome – canada Place

Black and White photos

A Street shot from a trip in 2016 to Vancouver, it was a rather rainy day.

For Monochrome Madness

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.

Street Photography – walking street

Captures from Finland, street photography

A pedestrian area in the shopping area in Níce some years back. It was early October, but the weather was still nice and warm, and there were lots of people on the move. The shops were situated in lovely old buildings with Juliet balconies and green and white shutters in front of the windows. The atmosphere in the area was energetic and vibrant, as locals and tourists alike meandered through the charming streets, and the sight of colorful displays in the shop windows. The gentle warmth of the sun added to the allure of the scene, casting a soft golden glow over the picturesque architecture and creating a captivating ambiance.

Well, I do like playing with my images, so once again I did a monochrome version, but this time I am more inclined to go with the color version as my favorite, go figure :-) The golden glow more obvious in it.

Street Photography – at the mall

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

I don’t know if this is really street photography, but let’s pretend so.

I took this yesterday at the mall. I needed to get out of the house. I was really proud, I didn’t buy anything, nearly did, but I reasoned with myself, I don’t need this, put it back to the rack.

Street Photography – craftspeople

Captures from Finland, street photography

Handicrafts saleswoman at the market place in Helsinki

Welcome to the marketplace, a happy place where time slows down and people smile. It’s a warm place where handmade things are made with love and care. Each stitch and thread tells a story, and the people who make them are filled with joy as they share their craft. Let the marketplace bring happiness to your heart and enjoy all the wonderful things it has to offer!

Street photography – traditional

Cities, People

I have shared this image before, but now edited the tone of the shot and also made a monochrome copy of it. What I like about this is the father’s traditional shoes – his whole style of dressing compared the the children walking with him.

I took this shot several years ago in Paris, but something in it appeals to me. I think the leading lines, depth of field and composition works. Too much analyzing 🙂 ?

Street photography – festive season

Captures from Finland, street photography

These are taken in front of the Helsinki railway station, in the first shot you can see Ateneum museum with its seasonal lights, couple years back.

Seasonal lights welcoming shopper to city center with the lights reflecting on the wet pavement,

Below is a digital artwork I made by being inspired by the first photo.

Street photography – sidewalk lights

Captures from Finland, street photography

The street lights are my stars
They make a warm wave on the wet black path
I sail along their bright trail
They keep me safe from the dark wrath

Walking down a path in the dark can be both exhilarating and unnerving. With each step, uncertainty lingers, as shadows dance and imagination runs wild. So, with a flicker of determination in our hearts, we step forward, embracing the mystery that lies ahead on the path in the dark.

Street photography – I walk alone

Captures from Finland, street photography

The night is cold and dark
A light drizzle was falling
I walk alone
With no one else to meet

Oodi is my destination
The light is my guide
I hope to find some inspiration
Or at least a place to hide

The Library welcoming light in the night

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.

Street Photography – crosswalk

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

On the crossroad…in Hong Kong.

Crossroads are places where roads intersect and people have to make decisions. They can also be metaphors for important moments in life, where one has to choose between different options and face the consequences.

Crossroads are the tests of fate , where we must choose our path and wait, for the unknown to reveal itself and show us if we chose well or not.

Some crossroads are clear and easy, others are dark and messy . But all of them are part of our journey and shape us into who we are meant to be

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Street Photography – in a hurry

Black and White photos, Photography, street photography

In a Hurry on an Escalator

As the escalator propels forward, an interesting dynamic unfolds. Watch closely, and you’ll observe people in a hurry, their faces etched with determination, striding onto the moving steps. Their impatience fuels their urgency, causing them to bob and weave through the crowd.

it’s fascinating to witness the blend of efficiency and chaos. Some embrace the escalator as an opportunity to slow down, leisurely taking in the surroundings. Others view it as a race, attempting to reach the summit before their peers. How about embracing the escalator as a —a chance to catch our breath.

So, my fellow escalator travelers, let us take a collective breath and relish the journey, even in the midst of our hurried pace.

Elk or a moose

Captures from Finland, Cities, Photography

I took this yesterday though a window, enjoying the moose or elk on the sidewalk in Matinkylä, Espoo. It was late afternoon so the it was already a bit dark. Are you surprised if I say gray? I did not a have camera with me so I took this on my mobile and edited it on Lightroom that I have on my mobile. So this is really a Cellpic 🙂 I did three edits, in the first one I added light and enhanced the gray tones.

The two others are more real to the actual colors of the moment, One I added light and the other There is quite a bit of vignette to bring your focus to the center. That one is the most accurate of the light and tones. It is amazing how editing can change a shot.

Is it an elk? Is it a moose? If you’re in Finland, the answer is “BOTH”! The iconic, majestic forest dweller is known as a moose in North America and an elk in Europe. To make matters even more confusing, elk in North America is used for an entirely different animal – a kind of deer.

Cellpic Sunday

Street Photography – food stand

Photography, street photography, Traveling Australia

Helsinki – esplanade last summer.

The popular Esplanade Park, fondly referred to as “Espa” among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. This Brazilian lady was selling food there the summer day I shot this photo. What caught my attention was the matching colors of the seller and the biker that had stopped by to chat.

Street Photography – Old style public telephone box

Photography, street photography, Traveling Australia

While The Rocks is the site of Sydney’s oldest European settlement, there are attractions here that are also thoroughly contemporary. The Rocks, at the to bustling Circular Quay, here you can take in the charming, historic streets of this former convict settlement. And here I saw this old style public telephone box and a lady speaking on the phone next to it – a nice touch don’t you think ?

Circular Quay – The Rocks showing heritage elements like the red phone box

Street Photography – Chinatown

Cities, Traveling Australia

Photos taken in Melbourne in Australia few years back.

Melbourne’s Chinatown has flourished for over 100 years. Established in the 1850s during the Victorian gold rush, it is notable for being the longest continuous ethnic Chinese settlement in the Western World and the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere.

Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge

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 – 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 – 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?