Trees (and learning how to see)

Birch, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Sunset colors, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Branching, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Branches, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Have I mentioned that I like trees? Oh yes, several times. But here goes once again: trees are my favorite subject. And here are many of them. All straight jpegs from the camera (LX3), no post-processing whatever.

Mark Hobson wrote about how to learn to see. I must admit I'm one of those who is not satisfied with my skills in this department.

However, it doesn't much matter, because photography is fun in any case. And even though I admit that putting some effort to learning would probably improve the results, I'm not willing to approach photography too seriously. Fun, that is the key.

Water and construction

Melt, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Nails, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

There is now water everywhere. And it seems that we are having a building and construction boom, perhaps it is only due to spring but perhaps it indicates that the economy improving.

Almost beautiful

Road, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Slushy, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Snow and dirt, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

It was dark and wet and melting today. It was so gray that it was almost beautiful. But where is the sun?

Melting winter

Gate, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Roadside dirty, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

There is water and dirt everywhere, thanks to the rapidly melting snow. Wetness brings out the few colors there are, a welcome contrast to the gray cloud cover. Spring is not yet here, but we are getting closer all the time.

Is wet + night = surprise?

Crossing, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Reflect, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Church, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

We got a little bit of rain this night, so the snow is melting even faster. Colors were made bright because of the wetness, a nice surprise for a photographer. All the photographs here are straight jpegs from the Panasonic LX3, no post-processing at all. (Speaking of surprises, here are some thoughts on the matter.)

Waiting for signs of spring

Shore, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Wood pile, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

It is still very much winter, but snow at least is melting, and things are being revealed from within the snow. Nearby, some forestry work is being done while winter still lasts.

Catkins and sunset skiing

Picking catkins, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Ski tracks, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Tracks and lights, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

There are Easter traditions in Finland involving catkins. Children go around with decorated twigs and ask for candy in exchange.

Later today it got colder, below freezing, and thus conditions for skiing were excellent. And there was a nice sunset as well.

Colors (plenty)

Blue, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Branching patterns, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Dirty snow, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Despite the attraction of subdued colors sometimes you just can't help it: the colors just are there. Such as this evening after sunset.

Painted by snow

Snow bike, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

This is for Andreas who is already taking photographs of spring.

Fresh snow

Forest, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Snow lines, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

White on green, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

We got about 10 cm of new snow during the night. Most of the snow fell off the trees during the day, but some remained, providing a new look to the landscape.

Colors / colorless

Blue wall, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Roadside, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Today was another above freezing and clouded day. Snow continued to melt, but we also got a little bit of new snow. Feeling tired all the time.

Drip, drip

Slush, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Trees, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

An uninspiring day. Ice and snow was melting, water all over, slush on the streets, sliippery. Wet and getting wetter.

More hotel esthetics

Corner, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Lamp, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Self, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

I like taking photographs of hotel rooms. They are the same but different, ever changing but always the same.

Sickness and skiing (and bright sunshine)

Sun, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Snow, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Barn, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

There was some sickness going around in the family, all others being hard affected, but I got a little bit less severe version. I managed to do a little bit of skiing in Vuokatti, taking some photographs also. It was so bright the sunshine made eyes water, but I didn't mind. This time of the winter is great, sunshine on snow, what can be brighter?

Frosted mornings

Frost, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Frosted trees, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Snow and frost, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Due to a work-releted trip, I spent two days in Vuokatti. Nights were cold, so we got beautiful frost during the mornings. All this melted away during the day.

Snapshots in Helsinki

Light and dark, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Back window, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Helsinki street view, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Today I was in a whole-day meeting in Helsinki. I spent some time in seeking a parking place, which are hard to find in Helsiki because of the snow, and then I took some photographs while walking to the meeting place. Hasty snapshots, but so it goes some days. And children are still sick, need to go to see a doctor tomorrow.

Blurred feelings

Blur, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Blur 2, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Blur 3, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Two of the children are sick since yesterday, so there is plenty of work at home. We went for a short walk with the wife after sunset, hoping that the frest air would offer some relief to the exhaustion. I took some long-exposure photographs while walking.

Oh grayness

Cattails, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Steps, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Two more photographs from today, from the gray side of the winter.

Colors vs. grayness

Colors, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Man and dog, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Once again I went skiing, to a nearby lake. There is a bird-watching tower on the shore, and I climbed up there to have a look. It was surprisingly colored up there - outside were no signs of graffiti. Otherwise it was a rather gray day, as it was snowing and heavily overcast. But many took the opporturnity to enjoy winter on the snowy lake.

Long shadows

Skiing, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Skiing is such a pleasure on days like this.