Capturing life as it is

April fresh

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Well, if March wasn’t a spring month, then April definitely has to be one! Right? Look at this photo. Everything is brand new, full of energy and about to burst green. So beautiful, like a painting, right Hahaa, I guess I am really waiting for spring. Or Earth Day. On 22nd of April lots is happening all around the world. Read more from the above link and add your event. I will organize a nature clean-up again and I hope that some people are coming around as well to take care of nature while picking up some garbage. Get your spring on the right way!

One year from Canada Freedom Convoy

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The other day I was going through my photos and I came across the ones from Ottawa, taken in February 2022. I actually should have posted this earlier, but February was such a busy month anyway, so I hope this still fits here just fine.

I was able to visit with a bunch of friends the historic Canada Freedom Convoy in the streets of Ottawa. I still consider it one of the most fun events I have ever been to, though no, I haven’t forgotten the crisp, but sunny day that it was. I am not a fan of -17 C, especially knowing that I have to spend the whole day outside. Oh well, I survived and was able to get even my photos published. So I lived to tell.

My photo on the right bottom corner, shows the evening festivities on the 5th of February, 2022 at Parliament Hill, Ottawa

I am still surprised that people had such bad impressions of the whole convoy. I hear you, the constant honking, and disturbance of usual peace and movement most likely was pretty annoying. But those people were taking an extra step to fight back and make themselves heard. I mean, this was a pretty bold move, especially during those freezing days!! Even if not the biggest changes were achieved and mandates were broken, it was still a very bold community action, which bought together so many strangers, who made this, at least during the weekends, a beautiful place to be.

What are your thoughts or comments on CFC? Perhaps you were one of the many to visit it?

March moon

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It may be a bit surprising or maybe not, that this photo was taken in March.

March moon photographer using a 200 mm telephoto lens

The picture really doesn’t give away any signs of the season. There are no visible trees. Also, no remains of snow. Which makes it a bit of an eerie photo. Not to forget the weird bluish tint.

Some consider March spring month, for some it is a definite winter month. Which is it for you?

I consider it a spring month, as it included Women’s Day. This day is known to be a busy day for flower shops, as many people around the world are buying flowers for the dear women in their lives. It is a fun thing, isn’t it? But it is no fun thing to think about what goes on to produce, transport and sell these flowers as the article HERE points out, not so rosy. The environmental impact is relatively high.

Food for thought, that on the eve of Women’s Day, I saved these flowers from their pre-timed death. For a whole week, they bought joy and beauty into my every day.

Saved from the garbage

Estonian Republic 105

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Today marks the 105th year of the Estonian Republic. It is an important anniversary for a small country like Estonia. We have managed a lot after we got our independence back and continue growing. Next week the parliament elections are taking place, giving the people an option to choose the representatives of their voices. Let’s see what the new year will bring.

For an Estonian living abroad, it is crucial to celebrate all the local holidays, which allows me to be an Estonian. I was planning to go to the Estonian flag raising on the 24th of February, by the Toronto City Hall, but because of the one-year anniversary of the Ukrainian-Russian war, they raised the Ukrainian flag. The Estonian flag was to be erected on Saturday. Obviously, I didn’t go, as after working until 11.30 PM, the girl needed a little rest after getting to bed at 4 AM!

Hence I share the photos of the last year’s event by the Estonian House, which marked the last time when the Canadian and the Estonian flags were ever raised there. Also, this was my first time going there, as I had gone downtown before, but never to Estonian House.

Well, it was great to see so many people present on that cold, but sunny day, mostly masked as you can see. But I think I got some great shots nevertheless. Below is a small gallery of this historic event, as the Estonian House is sold now and all activities there have ended. The building has been sitting empty since the 1st of November, 2022.

This is my favourite shot of the little Estonian gathering.

Here is a selection of the photos taken during the flag-raising by the Toronto Estonian House.

Photographing the (new) dorm rooms at Tartu College

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A little while after, when I had a chance to take photos of various (old) dorm rooms at Tartu College. They have several room options in downtown Toronto for students who have been arriving in Toronto all around the world. It was my second architectural photoshoot. Wouldn’t mind doing it again. So, if you are interested, shoot me an e-mail and let’s make the photos happen.

A renovated single-person west room, with a wonderful Elis as a model

Again the most fun thing was setting up the rooms, so they are ready for the shoot. One thing is to put things out that you think are the best way. And the other is looking at the whole view through the viewfinder. Gathering the things and spreading them around in different rooms, so as to have rooms look authentic and personal, was so much fun.

A bigger, northwest corner single occupancy room

And the shooting. Well, it was better than the first time, as the windows were not so bright, so just some of the outside was washed out. As I took these photos at the beginning of June when it was very sunny and hot. But at least you can still get the idea of the rooms. Renovated rooms definitely look cooler and well…modern. Plus, they actually have AC in the rooms!

A chill kitchen corner for students to mingle

Vegan and gluten-free breakfast

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I think finding a post about vegan breakfast on a photography homepage is pretty random.

But again, maybe not, as I am vegan. Utterly and honestly the biggest fan of all fruits and vegetables. One can make beautiful meals out of them and they are truly mindblowing. Perhaps this is because I like food, but then again, I can’t remember loving food so much when I was an omnivore or even a vegetarian. I even didn’t eat beans as a vegetarian. Now I can just eat chickpeas as I used to eat M&M’s.

I do take occasionally photos of food on the table. A little interest I got myself into many years ago. I was thinking that it would be really unique and original, but unfortunately, my little Instagram page at What Is On The Table hasn’t really picked up in a few years. I started it not long ago and posting photos chronologically, as it shows my transformation from vegetarian, who mind you, ate fish! to a vegan who I am today.

About the photo. This is a lovely Saturday late afternoon 3rd of January, the end of the holiday break breakfast. I have never had a plate like this for breakfast: waffles and cookies. Blueberries, yes, I can understand. The cookies had to be finished, as there were just a few left. I tried a new recipe for gluten-free waffles and wanted to see how it turns out. Pretty okay, though needs some improvement.

  • Organic blueberries.
  • Organic maple syrup.
  • Besan flour vegan waffles.
  • Oat flour chocolate chip cookies.

I took the photo mostly because of the food, but also because the background and the light have this nice, lovely, homely feel. In other words, hygge. Yes, there were some little LED lights on the table, but pictured in another photo. 😉

#saynotoplastic

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is time for the new year’s resolutions. Perhaps you can say no to plastic.

NO to plastic! Why? Simply because it is one of the most hardly recycling materials, we use it everywhere. If people contaminate the environment with plastic, they generate significant damage, especially to the sea and oceans.

Follow these easy tips to avoid plastic in your daily life. It’s easy to say no!

1. Bring your reusable bags for shopping

2. Avoid single-use plastic bottles

3. Avoid plastic kitchenware and utensils

4. Avoid plastic packaging

5. Avoid plastic toys and gift items

6. Avoid plastic food containers

7. Use reusable or recyclable products

8. Avoid plastic decoration

9. Educate yourself and others

10. Support plastic-free initiatives

+ whenever you can spread the message to those who are directly responsible for the creation of plastic packages etc.

Since 2017 I have been into creating installments/exhibitions where I am using already available materials. Instead of buying or making something completely new. I installed last night a public message of “say no to plastic”. It is visible from both sides. So that the people who are stuck in the traffic, can see the message as well.

No money was spent to create this installation: the paper was reused, stickers were saved from the dumpster as half of the zip-ties, and a kind woman from a freecycling community donated the rest.

Please keep our nature trails clean and make a habit of carrying a plastic bag (indeed!) in your pocket to pick up litter during your walks. Many people are already doing it all around the world!

For great plastic information, please visit www.implasticfree.com

#saynotoplastic

Inspired by Sam Abell

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Recently I have been watching some videos of my favourite photographer Sam Abell. He has been explaining how he is making the photo. He used to be the National Geographic staff photographer for many years. He has been around, seen a lot and practiced a lot. His lecture about the life of a photograph is truly inspiring and the knowledge shared there, just makes you want to grab a camera and get to practicing.

I especially like his approach to the front, middle and back sections of the photo. You have to have your background set, find something in the middle part and make sure that the front pop’s with something. And then you just wait. Wait for the red umbrella, movement, expression, etc. He talked a lot about perfection and making it work. The fact is that the world is not perfect, so one should try their best, but not chase perfection.

I tried to put his teachings into this photo. I was indeed lucky to find such a spot, with a great background, popping middle level and interesting front section. The lone guy just happens to be in the middle of the poles and carrying a popping green bag. And it was snowing! I am not saying that this is perfect, but Sam Abell, you are so right. The three sections need our attention.

December darkness

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Though it is the time of snow and colourful lights, the month of December is quite dark. Especially when there is no snow, the short days take their toll on the weaker ones, who are used to the sun and long days. Sad feelings may creep in and the gloomy days are no fun. No wonder that when many celebrate and are merry, many are sad and alone, also unhappy and desperate. Season to be merry and season to be sad. I painted quite a dark photo of December, and quite dark is the picture to describe this month. But this is something I do not wish on anybody. I wish you lots of light, love, warmth, care and happiness. Happiness for me is to take challenges and do what I love.

It was a challenge to take this photo, though it is not a single photo, two photos together, it still gives out a strong message. I know one photo would have worked itself, but I think it works better as a pair. It is my cousin and me on a cold December day. Interestingly enough, when I wrote these words, it happened to be her birthday (21st of December). Palju õnne, Sigrid!

Estonian president Alar Karis visited Tartu College and the local Estonian community in Toronto

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It is not an everyday event when a president comes to visit you at your workplace. Right? Luck was on my side yesterday. I was able to take photos of the Estonian Republic’s president Alar Karis’ visit to Tartu College. This organization is a well-known Estonian temple of culture and research. Acting also as a dormitory, offering students from all around the world accommodation in Toronto. Plus offering a home to hundreds of Estonian-Canadian personal archive collections and thousands of books. Tartu College has worked hard for tens and tens of years to develop the preservation of Estonian culture and heritage in Canada.

President Karis met with local Estonian organizations, society and group leaders, who all had a chance to introduce their present activity and their history. It was time well spent and hopefully, good relationships between Estonia and Estonians in Toronto will arise from this meeting.

After the meeting, a panel discussion took place at the Tartu College hall, which was packed with people, who all wanted to meet the president and take part in the discussion. The stage was taken by Laas Leivat, Juku Gold and Alar Karis, and the panel was moderated by Reet Marten-Sehr. Most of the questions circled around the war in Ukraine, but there were other questions asked, such as: “I want to go to Estonia, what can I do to make that happen?”. The president’s answer was: “Get airplane tickets first.”

The visit was short, as usually, such visits are, so it was really difficult for Mr. President to leave for the airport. As many wanted to speak, take pictures with him or show him around. So much to do, so little time. But the time was well spent and the result was a wonderful evening with merry Estonians enjoying good company and good Greek food catered by the Master’s Bufferia, which has their buffeteria opened in Tartu College.

Please take a look at the gallery HERE, before I will put together a small overview of the event.