Capturing life as it is

June nature

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Finally, it is summer! Or at least the month, when summer really starts. I guess it is still summer when you know you are not taking a break from work, as there is so much to do! Hahaha, I know a body needs a break. What would be the best time to have it than not in summer? So excited about what this beautiful month has to offer.

I feel like I repeat myself, but summer is the time to notice things. Explore and experience. Share and love. But yet again, any day of our lives should be lived like this – to the fullest, being the most present and appreciated. I guess it is not the best time to write anything while listening to Justament’s Petseri Tsura ja Hiitola Ätt. Words choke in my head, throat and fingers. But this only works when you are an Estonian!

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Pictured here is a June shot from my earlier insects session in Hiiumaa at Kadri’s grandparents’ place. I got quite a few great shots of the June bugs aka Figeater Beetles. But what makes this shot great is the even smaller insect sitting on the beetle’s left side. When you think something is small, even something smaller exists. Miracles of the Mother Nature!

Let there be sun, laughs, good food and great company. Take it easy in June!

May clean-up

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I know this is a bit confusing, as Earth Day is in the end of April, on 22nd of April to be exact. But for many Estonians the month of May, especially the beginning of it is the time to roll up your sleeves and do something for the community. It is time for the The Let’s Do It collective action day. I have participated in this action for few times. Basically all the time when I am at home in Estonia.

It started as a small event, which has grown into a huge event and very loved by Estonians. A few years ago it was even organized as a worldwide event. A new tradition is born. It is called World Clean-up Day. On 16th of September it is your chance to participate in it and make the world a cleaner place.

About the photo. This was taken actually in 2010 – 13 years ago! I put this group together and people bought their own friends. So what are you seeing here are the friends of me, Anette and Maria. I invited them and they invited their friends. We were cleaning cemetery and found lots of evergreen flowers. This group picture was born after Maira thanked all participants in this clean-up day and handed to everybody a bunch of flowers. How can we not take a photo after hard work and such nice gesture.

Have you ever participated in Let’s Do It or the World Clean-Up Day? If not, I strongly suggest to. As it so much fun and you will be doing so much good for the planet Earth!

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!

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

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!

October colours

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Yes, it is the month of many colourful leaves, lots of colourful lights and…yes, Halloween decorations. But you may want to overlook that consumerism holiday. Yes? No? What else is there, you may ask? Lots of other fun – nature walks, exciting books, cozy hygge movie sessions on the sofa with your loved one, volunteering for the others, expressing yourself, cooking comfort food. And just loving. And understanding. Even those who seem not to get you. Give them a chance to express themselves and try to understand.

I chose this photo for the month of October, as it was taken during the month of October a few years ago. I am sure you noticed the weird lines around the photo. Yes, it could have been a mistake or poor editing, but I decided that this is great. It adds to the image and creates some kind of mood to the already moody photo. Just do things differently, do not follow the crowd 😉

Don’t forget to drink your warm tea. 🙂

Love yourself

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Photographers are known to be vain, right? You have heard about it? Good. But if you haven’t, please continue reading. I personally have no idea where this information is coming from, but I see some truth in it. Some. I used to be that photographer myself. I took photos of myself and posted them. A lot. But luckily I was young and silly, so this is far history for me.

Today I made an exception and posted this photo of myself, as it happens to be my birthday. The idea of this post is not to show how beautiful I am. Lol, I know that I am a beautiful person, but I do not need to post my face for that everywhere 🙂 BUT to inspire you to be more creative in whatever you do, in this case, photography.

Believe it or not, this photo is on one frame. No magic has been done here. After I took this photo, you could see all three of me on the screen. I will not reveal, as this really doesn’t matter, how the photo is done, as in this modern day, you can find everything online anyway. I took the extra mile at that time when I took the photo, so I can learn and explore more. And the only model I had by hand, was myself. So I had to break my long silence of posting my own face online for this post 😀

So, yes go ahead and be creative. And take a photo of yourself, if needed 😛 and love yourself!

August Northern Lights

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I took this photo a few years ago. What an exciting moment it was to be able to capture my first Northern Lights. I happen to live in a place, where their activity is hardly ever visible. So going out to “hunt” them was definitely an experience on its own. And I am glad about that. Photography is all about learning, being curious, exploring and experiencing. While doing all that the skills will get better as well. You gain confidence and most importantly, your life will get better and more enjoyable.

I think this is the main thing. Doing something for yourself, which charges you with the energy, which helps you to handle all the everyday life challenges or musts, like going to work, paying bills, waking up early etc.