Blog | Lidija Ivanek SiLa

Expired Superia film and Konica C35 ef3

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021
by sila

What I love about analog photography

– mystery, surprise and excitement of developing a roll long forgotten –

I forgot that I have a film in my camera which was already expired when the roll was put in the camera… so a couple of years later, I shot the rest of the frames and developed it. These are the first images from it. Film is Superia 200 (expired at least 3 y.) camera Konica C35ef3 which used to be a choice for tourist/family photography back in the day. Developed in C41 Tetenal. Scan just flatbed Epson V850Pro.

Slightly opening window to experience misty morning in the new neighbourhood

As I didn’t know if expired film will be any good, I picked images around my neighbourhood, new and old. Above picture is in a new neighbourhood, though even that was a year ago lol.

And this is from our old neighbourhood.

I just can’t post all of them and I love them almost all. Let’s say, at least 30 of them. So, I do urge you if you like what I do, follow me on other social media, like Instagram or Facebook

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A year of COVID

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021
by sila

A full and complete year of living with pandemic and lockdowns

It is hard to believe that we are still in Level 5 lockdown. It was a year ago when we started our first lockdown in Ireland. As an artist, photographer it was hard going as creative juices don’t always flow. ‘Keep it positive, hopeful and continue” was the main motto of so many, not only artists.

As time is passing by it is more difficult to continue with everyday tasks. Art now became a source of comfort, a rope of hope. People who never thought of doing anything artlike, these days are experimenting with paints and cameras… snapping pictures or whipping brush strokes on canvas. For me it is my life whether there is a pandemic or “living is easy”… but struggles are real as I am confined in my 5km radius by government restrictions. 5km for months without end. No wonder that I find comfort and most inspiration in soft Irish days.

This is a tree by the road that I am finding very inspirational and I always like to come back to, especially on a soft day.

High tides, soft days and waves.

Brushed by winds, washed by salty waters

Sleeping with a smile

Don’t forget, I always have something new for sale in store so check back often.

My prints available here

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Minimalist colourful photography

January 16, 2021January 16, 2021
by sila

Fujifilm XT3 and lens Minolta MD 100-300

I love merging old and new. The effect of using an old lens with modern digital camera has certain unpredictability and special softness in colours.

At dawn when night gives way to daylight, when colours burst in layers, at dawn I love to stand at the edge of the land facing ocean. My mind is empty, my feelings calm and for a moment everything makes sense. Birds are chirping, air is salty and fresh. My cheeks are frozen, fingers are stiff and painful. Cold breeze is penetrating my hiking pants, leggings underneath and skin, piercing it all the way to the bones. All senses are heighten.

– to be present in the moment –

As usual, todays photograph is available as a print here

If you prefer signed original, please do not hesitate to contact me through my contact page

Analog photography

Panoramic analog photography 17×6

January 12, 2021January 12, 2021
by sila

It’s a wide world out there!

Sometime ago I bought this beautiful 3d printed panoramic camera (Sheel from K6x14Vx) and only recently I had opportunity to test it. It was made for my lens, Fujinon SW90mm and I bought Gaoersi viewfinder to help me compose the image. After first shots on Kodak Ektar 100 I am pretty pleased. Few minor adjustments with focus and I can’t wait for a decent weather and easing of lockdown here in Ireland to go out and about again 😉

Happy New Year!

I need to give this beauty nice name, any suggestions? 🙂

Just a stroll around neighbourhood #Kinsale

Disappearing car 🚘 😆

This corner is inspiration for numerous painters living in Kinsale. It is actually Bruno’s pizzeria.

It was so long ago when I used to photograph with my pinhole camera that I couldn’t find more then one blog post on this site with it – pinhole . Pinhole is also in panorama format and that is something that was attractive for me for so long. Panorama obviously is carrying a lot of problems with it. You can’t fit every scene in panorama, problems with vignette, soft edges, problems with “not standard frame size” etc. Just to name a few. Still, when it works, this format for me is the best for having on walls.

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Happy Christmas!

December 24, 2020December 24, 2020
by sila

The exact date when my grandmother was born is unknown. Turbulent times in Balkan region were not uncommon. So, when she needed some official documents, she had two different dates. To clarify situation, one official decided to put a date that will from now on be her official date of birth.

That story reminded me of Christmas. Somewhere along the way someone decided that 25^{th of December} is the day of Jesus Christ’s birth. If you are a historian and know much more than I do, you can calculate exact date of Jesus’s birth by the facts from the Bible and other historical documents. But you know what, in realty it doesn’t change a thing.

He was born, lived and died for us, so we can live free from sin.

Christmas can be so over saturated with commercialism, traditions, and all kinds of burdens.

It can be a vary sad period for someone who is stuck far away from family and friends in this crazy year of COVID. It is cold outside and dark and wet. Wintertime in our part of the world.

The Bible in Hebrews chapter 13, verse 8 says:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

So whether you are far away or with your family and friends, whether it is cold and miserable outside or nice and sunny, this is a day to remember – Jesus that you celebrate through his birthday reminds us that He is still God and He is still the same every single day.

If you are forgiven, every day is a day to celebrate.

Rejoice wherever you are.

You will meet with the once you miss.

Happy Christmas everyone!

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Season Sale!

November 28, 2020
by sila

Discounted prices on all Wall Art Prints, Photographs, Illustrations

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Red rooftops

October 3, 2020
by sila

Red rooftops are so European, so Croatian.

Whether in Dubrovnik or in Zagreb they tell a story.

Bright red of Dubrovnik rooftops tells a story about devastation during war for Independence and renovation, rejuvenation.

Red rooftops in Zagreb tell a story of resilience not only during war, but 2020 earthquakes that are still going on.

Don’t forget to check my other sites https://silaart.picfair.com

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Dubrovnik

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020
by sila

Ancient city of Dubrovnik.

Every year we spent few days in Dubrovnik visiting our friend. Every year there is not enough time to photograph everything I would like. That balance between socialising, vacationing and working is always hard to find.

“Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianised Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants.” Wikipedia

The year of 2020 was hard on Dubrovnik as the city mainly depends on air traffic and cruise ships to bring tourists in. The whole economy of the city was badly hit. It took them a month or two just to realise that they need to offer something else and try to attract domestic tourists to save the season. So, the season was shifted to a late season and it was very, very different. For me, as a photographer it was great to enjoy almost empty streets. It was great to experience the city as locals do.

There is no room here to post all of my photographs from that visit, so please check my other places http://silaart.picfair.com and https://www.instagram.com/lidijaivaneksila/

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Travels

September 27, 2020September 27, 2020
by sila

We recently returned from our 5 weeks travel to Croatia. It is (sadly) corona times and not a lot of people travel. A part from visiting my parents, it was so much needed vacation and as always, I never stop creating, that means ideally my vacation is a working vacation. Loads of impressions, memories and photographs/videos I brought back with me. As now, back in Ireland we have to self isolate for 14 days, I am slowly sorting through all materials.

I decided to open this story of Croatia 2020 with underwater imagery that was created with GoPro.

As for 5 weeks we felt freedom, no pressures to stay locked down, freedom to explore and feel and breathe I think it is perfect to start with this photo.

It was made in Dubrovnik, in a place called Porporela, where you swim next to the ancient walls.

Another “freedom” photo was made in Omis, on the beach Brzet.

When nature freely communicate with people! Isn’t that amazing?!

We visited many places, not only on the coast, but also on rivers. One magical place was on the river Zrmanja. Zrmanja shaped a canyon on her way to the sea. It is a beautiful green river that you can swim in as it is just a tad cooler than the Adriatic, 20C. (The highest recorded temperature in August 2011 was 27.5C!)

You can read about our travel from Ireland to Croatia here

Also, as I am slowly sorting I will upload “chosen ones” on Picfair

And as always, follow me on Insta

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Moody Ireland

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020
by sila

My friend always says – You’d not come to Ireland for weather – but he is wrong.

Most tourists actually do want to experience “true” Ireland and they are never surprised when it rains. It is still summer in Kinsale and we have all-weather-all-the time. I found great combination in my waterproof Fuji XT3 and ability to shoot with film simulations. It just fits moody weather.

So here it is, todays, fresh from camera. Summer in Kinsale.