Photos, videos and docs of Sami Serola (inactive), with the keywords: "2019"

#16 Autumn leaves ...

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 05:12:51 +0000

... and lucky clovers.

#26 A funny sign

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 07:12:24 +0000

I decided to remove my earlier Scavenger Hunt #26 'A funny sign' contribution, because it sort of infringed the copyright. I replaced it with this American Sign Language gesture for 'funny'. If you prefer to have it in British Sign Language, then here you are. You are welcome! =)

#35 Ticket stub from a play/movie/concert

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 07:04:42 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Found on the ground, close to movie theater. Notice the name of the movie. A perfect image to end my Scavenger Hunt. Although, the ticket says this is a ticket for someone with a wheel chair ("Pyörätuoli") =(

See notes for more ;-)

P.S. I decided to switch my earlier #35 contribution to this because the image of a poster kind of infringed copyright, and at least the main subject was not mine to share in public.

#08 A summer drink

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 11:28:17 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

It is June! So, officially summer must have started! In Finnish June is "kesäkuu", and direct translation of it into English is "summer month". And yes, in Finnish the names of months and week days starts with small alphabets.

I was going to enjoy some cold brew coffee, which has recently become popular around here. But the lakeside cafe I visited, had ran out of it. Instead I tasted Kombucha for the first time in my life. Or at least I think I have never had it before. It was some strawberry basil flavor, and I must say it is one of the best summer drinks I have ever had! Very refreshing experience. Better than any ice tea.

And it was not that strong as the picture may insinuate! =D

#39 On a beach

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 08:38:39 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Inspired by one of my earlier photo, I decided to shoot a retake. But instead of "drowning" Mr Nobody, I took him for a refreshing swim.

And the water was still very cold! =D

#30 Something freshly baked

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 07:56:57 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

I went to Pyynikki view tower cafe for a freshly baked donut and coffee. I especially asked how freshly baked the donuts are, and explained why I asked it. Well, they are so popular, which is why one hardly gets nothing but fresh ones. But the lady kindly gave me one right from the frier =D

And this picture is part of the "Scavenger Hunt" photography challenge where members are given 50 topics and, one year time to shoot them. Here you can find my personal progress on this challenge. Only two months gone, and I am nearly done.

#02 Dramatic weather

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 25 May 2019 12:20:45 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

#36 A colourful building

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 18 May 2019 07:19:44 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Soon after the Scavenger Hunt challenge became announced at The Sunday Challenge group, I searched for colorful buildings around Tampere region. On one YLE News article I then spotted the ideal target.

After several weeks I finally got time to visit the place. The weather and light were ideal for the subject. I first thought the building would be on the other side of the street, and I would have to shoot against the light. But it turned out the building was bathing in the bright spring light.

I was first going to take pictures only with my Lumix camera, but then few minutes before the bus to take me home arrived, I took two shots with the camera phone. Then on my way home, I once again played with Mirror Lab Android app and got this. I liked what I saw, and the traffic sign then turned out as a wonderful bonus!

Several years ago I used to be almost fanatic about trying to reach if not perfect realism on my photos, but at least something that could be called as "plausible". But then my path has lead me to explore surrealism. To create imaginative pictures have become more important than to document the reality.

#37 A black cat ...

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Fri, 17 May 2019 05:11:08 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

... and it's associates hang out at the local cafe, and are about to wake up and jump on the table to snatch my food. NOT your pet, and definitely not mine either. Cats can't be owned. They own what they want. Besides I am allergic to cats. So, unfortunately I could not stay there very long.

Expensive but wonderful place to visit this "Cat Cafe Purnauskis"! =)

They charged 5 euros just to visit there. But I do understand it is expensive to run such a cafe. So, it is like visiting a zoo. They give to the customers some cat food, to become friends with the inhabitants, but also to keep them away from your food! =D

Their own web site is only in Finnish, but I do recommend checking out their cool 3D presentation. Take a tour by clicking the play button on bottom left corner, and try to count how many cats you can spot (real and/or representations). Alternatively you can move around the space, and try to spot those cats. Especially the white Lumi seems to be a curious cat! Or if it is cats alone you wish to see, then browse through their Instagram photos.

Customers were also asked to take off their shoes and wash their hands. So, this is very well arranged place, and they served delicious blueberry cheese cake!

#17 A public event

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Thu, 16 May 2019 06:36:19 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

I decided to try another sort of distortion on this shot. Post Processing done with GIMP "Lens Distortion". And the rest done with Nik Collection, which still seemed to run on my GIMP 2.10 for Windows after upgrade from GIMP 2.8.

I kept my distance in purpose to avoid people becoming recognized. It was some sort of a public event for bicyclists. One could get information on how to mend a bike, and what road traffic acts one should know when riding a bike on public roads. There was also entertainment and food available.

#19 In a restaurant/eatery/cafe

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Wed, 15 May 2019 06:01:02 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

My usual lunch time restaurant and cafe at work.

Post processing: Mirror Lab for distortion effects, and Snapseed for EXIF and vignetting.

#46 A spiral ...

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Mon, 13 May 2019 05:02:16 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

... of time.

I couldn't help myself from posting this as a contribution for TSC/SH46. If peeps there at TSC/SH does not qualify such heavily post processed image as a solution on this very topic, then let me know. I can easily find a real but less imaginative spiral.

Few notes on post processing. I earlier reported that MirrorLab Android app removes the EXIF data from the edited images. But I then discovered I can open the original on SnapSeed, choose the same aspect ratio, and then easily add the MirrorLab edit on it with the "double exposure" tool and turn it into a fully opaque layer. Saving the image then keeps the EXIF of original layer hiding on the background. That includes the geolocation data as well, if it comes along with the original image. But here I removed the geolocation after upload because it would have been irrelevant information on this case.

On MirrorLab I used "Polar > Spiral D" effect, which I spotted on one example image at MirrorLab creator's Instagram account. By default "Spiral D" makes a spiral that goes the other way around. So, in order to get this, I first flipped the image of a clock, and then flipped it back again on Snapseed. I bought the full version of MirrorLab, and this very effect probably is not available on the free version, but there are plenty of effects to play with also on the free MirrorLab, if you are interested to give it a try. At least "Spiral D" was available on their freeware.

So, number of phases done to get what I wanted, but it is fun! And that is what matters when it comes to amateur photography! =D

#48 On the road

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 12 May 2019 03:29:58 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

♫ Abandon Window by Jon Hopkins, available at SoundCloud

Edited with Mirror Lab and Snapseed Android apps.

I also manage to use Snapseed to add Mirror Lab edit on as another layer, thus being able to keep the Exif data and geolocation. This similar approach can be used also on desktop software like GIMP or PhotoShop.

#15 Someone in uniform

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 11 May 2019 03:35:54 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Edited with Mirror Lab and Snapseed Android apps.

#09 A gift

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Mon, 06 May 2019 11:50:05 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Gift bags have replaced the wrapping paper. It is more convenient and reusable, but less fun.

#45 Something smelly

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 05 May 2019 06:00:16 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Surprisingly everyone does not like how basil smells, but I absolutely love it!

#04 Something saucy

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sun, 05 May 2019 05:28:22 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

If you see something saucy, then blame your dirty mind... =P

Also return of "monkey business".

#29 Fountain in a park

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 04 May 2019 12:10:16 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

Fountain by Raimo Utriainen built in 1969 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Emil Aaltonen’s birth.

#50 A family

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 04 May 2019 07:28:34 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

May first celebration at local marketplace.

#13 Something flying

nobody@ipernity.com (Sami Serola (inactive)) — Sat, 04 May 2019 06:55:53 +0000

Sami Serola (inactive) has posted:

I was going to post something completely different flying, but then I accidentally spotted this cool paper plane model while browsing through latest YouTube videos. I finally ended up using flash and some PicMonkey effects.

I used rather thick paper, and therefore did not achieve the nice flapping wings like seen on the video. But I will definitely experience some more when our grandchildren visits us next time.