Sunday, August 16, 2020

Lapinlahti at Night: Migratory Birds Leaving Finland | Art Photography

Migratory birds at night near Lapinlahti Hospital in Helsinki
 

A summer night view from Lapinlahti, Helsinki, where migratory birds gather before leaving Finland. Lapinlahti Hospital adds a historic backdrop to the scene.

 
 
A quiet summer night in Lapinlahti, Helsinki, turns into a poetic moment as migratory birds move through the darkening sky. In the photograph, the birds appear above the historic landscape of Lapinlahti, where nature, architecture, and memory meet in one atmospheric scene.

Part of the roof of the former Lapinlahti Hospital is also visible in the image. The building gives the photograph a deeper historical layer: Lapinlahti Hospital was completed in 1841 and is known as Finland’s first hospital built for psychiatric care. It was designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, whose neoclassical architecture helped shape many of Helsinki’s most recognizable historical landmarks.

Today, the Lapinlahti area is remembered not only for its medical history but also for its peaceful seaside setting, old hospital buildings, and cultural atmosphere. The contrast between the silent roofline and the movement of birds creates a strong visual story: the past remains still, while nature continues its seasonal journey.

This art photograph captures more than a night view. It reflects the feeling of departure, history, and quiet beauty in Helsinki. The migratory birds leaving Finland bring motion to the scene, while the former Lapinlahti psychiatric hospital stands as a reminder of the city’s layered past.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Costa Pacifica from the Air: Cruise Ship Leaving Helsinki, Finland


Costa Pacifica Cruise Ship Leaving the Port of Helsinki, Finland – Drone Video.
Select the image to play the video on YouTube.


Costa Pacifica from the Air: Cruise Ship Leaving Helsinki, Finland

The Costa Pacifica cruise ship is seen leaving the Port of Helsinki, Finland, in this aerial drone video. From above, the vessel’s impressive size stands out against the open water and coastal scenery of Helsinki, offering a clear view of a modern cruise ship departing the Finnish capital.

Costa Pacifica is an Italian cruise ship built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2009. The ship is approximately 290.2 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 114,500 GRT, and includes 1,504 passenger cabins. Fincantieri describes Costa Pacifica as the first “music ship” in the Costa fleet, giving the vessel a distinctive identity among large European cruise ships.

The ship’s IMO number is 9378498, and it sails under the Italian flag. Vessel data sources list Costa Pacifica as a passenger cruise ship built in 2009, with a beam of about 35.5 meters and a deadweight of 10,000 tonnes.

This drone footage captures a calm maritime moment in Helsinki: a large cruise ship slowly moving away from the port, the city shoreline behind it, and the Baltic Sea opening ahead. The aerial perspective makes the departure feel both grand and peaceful, highlighting Helsinki’s role as an important cruise destination in Northern Europe.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

A Little Girl in Quan Loi, Vietnam: A Photograph from the 1960s



Little girl photographed in Quan Loi Vietnam in the 1960s

A little girl from Quan Loi, Vietnam, photographed in the 1960s — a quiet memory from a place and time that have never been forgotten.


I took this picture about 53 years ago in 1960s, so this little girl would be a woman in her late fifties give or take a little. 

We landed in a beautiful place called Quan Loi Vietnam, Before Quan Loi became a big airstrip, and the short time I was there became good friends with her Grandparents. I have often wondered what happened to them. She and her sister were living with the Grandparents while their parents staid in the city to work.

If you have any information about her or her family and what happened to them, please contact us through the contact form. 
 
- James Smith