21 February 2014

the baltic sea in winter II.

these are two more photographs among the series of six prints I worked on in my darkroom. I am glad to see that some of you have appreciated the first couple of images - as I was not sure wether many were going to understand their peaceful solitude or simply find them sad. I think there is a certain beauty in loneliness when in close contact with nature: it moves you and inspires you.
the Baltic Sea in winter - Uunisaari:
Nikomat EL - Kodak BW400CN
that day Uunisaari was completely deserted and the fog isolated it from the rest of Helsinki: it really felt like an island in the middle of nowhere. I cannot easily put such strong feelings into words but in that moment I was completely at ease with myself: it was a powerful sensation that stayed with me for many days after. I wish I could feel that way more often!
♥ listening to The Bony King of Nowhere
P.S. I was interviewed by lovely Ally of Petal and Plume for the new section of her blog Interviews with my Favourite Photographers: read it here if you wish. Thank you Ally!

32 comments:

  1. I know what you mean, Polly... when I'm near enough to nature I feel unquestionably at peace. It brings me to state of complete acceptance of what goes on in my life because when in the face of nature, what else can you do but accept? :) Beautiful, haunting images.

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    1. It's great to know you understand and you feel the same. Well said too! Thank you, dear Katie!

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  2. I love that last shot, so beautiful!!! <3

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  3. Oh Polly these are so so good. I agree with you, it's a kind of feeling that's difficult to translate into words, mainly because, in those moments, you don't think, you just are. Does this make any sense?

    Great interview! :)

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    1. You just are! Well said, Inês! Thank you so much!

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  4. These actually look like they are inverted black and white to me for some reason! Very interesting photos as usual!

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    1. I suppose that the snow can be a bit confusing in black and white photos. Thank you, Shy!

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  5. Oh wow, Polly, these images are gorgeous! I can feel the calm from here! i know what you mean, spending time in nature can leave you feeling so great!

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    1. Thank you, Charlotte! It's great that you like the images and that you understand my feelings!

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  6. you are WELCOME!
    ps. you're the best.
    xx

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Ally! I really enjoyed the interview!

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  7. I think the black-and-white works pretty good and I know the feeling, I think. :)

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    1. Thank you, Ingeborg! I'm glad you think so!

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  8. you asked me if i miss finland, and i have to say that seeing these pictures of the finnish loneliness make me to miss it a bit. i feel like those moments of peace, when there's no one around you or no other sound than the wind and the waves, can't be lived in other place than in finland, at least not on the same way.

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    1. I totally understand you, Etta! That's the best part of Finland and why I love it so much!

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  9. It looks magic Polly, I never use bw and sometimes it still surprises me how it can have so much depth like you managed here :)

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    1. Thank you, Nit! You have never used black and white, that's interesting. Maybe you should try a roll someday?

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  10. Just read your interview on petal & plume, so nice to discover your lovely work! You have a great eye, I'll def pass by here more often :) happy weekend!

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    1. Thank you so much, Anne! I'm glad you've decided to stop by after reading my interview!

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  11. You make me miss my lab back at my parents house <3
    I think solitude in photos make me breath more profoundly and that is always a good things...now directly to Ally's blog to read your interview!

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    1. I hope you've enjoyed the interview, dear Sara! I also hope you'll have the chance to use the lab at your parents' soon enough!

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  12. such beautiful and powerful photos.
    i love that you can read the horizon in the first one. for some reason it reminds me of a sea photo... where a horizontal nature defines its limit with the sky :)

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    1. Thank you, Joana! It's actually the frozen sea, covered in snow.

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  13. These baltic sea series is incredible...you are so talented, dear P!
    xoxo

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    1. Dear Charlyn, thank you so much for your kind words!

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  14. These pictures are so poignant and precious, like the landscape that makes them <3

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    1. Evelyn, such beautiful words! Thank you!

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  15. you know i always love your work, but these are stunning, polly.
    so deep, so introspective. i really don't know how to describe them!

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    1. Thank so much, dear Silvia! That means a lot to me!
      I'm about to share the last two of the series... Hope you'll appreciate them as much!

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  16. Polly, I know I'm repeating myself, but I don't care: These are utterly, utterly brilliant!

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    1. Thank you so much, Nancy! I like this kind of repetition!

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