Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
July 2026 - Kristi Nanto-Salonen - The Windmills of My Mind
Original
About the Image(s)
A couple of weeks ago we made a trip to the Swedish island of ?-land, a place full of myths and history and magic. One evening I was out taking sunset photos on a hill with several old windmills and I could almost see the stand-still sweeps wake up into motion. I played with ICM and multiple exposures as long as there was enough light left. Fuji X-T4 on tripod, 27.5 mm, f/25, 1.9 s, ND filter, double exposure in camera. - I think that the filter had something to do with the odd magenta color cast of the original? I processed the image in Capture One. My first idea was high-key B&W but then I felt lit could use more drama, and added grain and dark edges in NIK Silver Efex.
12 comments posted
Hi Kristi - This is very creative and monochrome has done a lot to add to the sense of movement you captured with the double exposure and ICM. I especially like the sweeps of cloud in the sky and the duality of the in-focus and out-of-focus landscape around your subject. The lens flares on the right side are a little distracting to me and seem a bit more prominent in black and white than in the original color version. Posted: 07/02/2026 14:58:10
Thank you very much, Shari, and welcome to the group! You are right about the lens flares -my idea was that they might look like balls of light carried by the wind, but now when I look at the image I can see that they are too close to the edge? Posted: 07/02/2026 18:31:04
Kristi,
Your image feels dreamlike, which goes well with your title. The slow shutter speed with the spinning sails creates a ghost like image. The brightest area behind the windmill draws my eyes directly to it. Your blur action also reminds me of a flowing hair. Posted: 07/07/2026 18:30:54
Your image feels dreamlike, which goes well with your title. The slow shutter speed with the spinning sails creates a ghost like image. The brightest area behind the windmill draws my eyes directly to it. Your blur action also reminds me of a flowing hair. Posted: 07/07/2026 18:30:54
Thank you, Ray! I am so glad that this experiment worked out! I love the idea of flowing hair in the air. Posted: 07/07/2026 20:55:32
Hi Kirsti. This scene works so well for ICM and multiple exposures. The bright airy tones of high key would have been interesting however the moody atmosphere works really well. As Ray noted, the bright center paired with the dark windmill holds my eye in the center while the surrounding elements create a soft, wispy feel of motion. Very nice. Posted: 07/07/2026 19:42:33
Thank you so much, Barbara! Here is the high-key version - I cannot decide which one I like better. Which one would you prefer? Posted: 07/07/2026 20:51:54
I like them both Kirsti but I think you made the right choice with the dramatic low key image! Posted: 07/07/2026 23:20:18
Hi Barbara, thank you for helping me choose! Posted: 07/08/2026 07:35:43
Hi Kirsti,
I really like this photo a lot! And I love the title, as previously mentioned. You captured the dreamlike feel of an iconic, sentimental subject perfectly. I particularly like the one sail that is bent (the one at "3-o'clock").
I looked at cropping the right side to remove the 2 white dots and then spot brushing out the remaining one and also liked that result - try it out and see what you think.
I took photos of windmills in Spain and never thought of trying long exposure or double exposure. I will keep that in mind for future trips!
Thanks for another creative photo!
Rob
Posted: 07/09/2026 16:41:15
I really like this photo a lot! And I love the title, as previously mentioned. You captured the dreamlike feel of an iconic, sentimental subject perfectly. I particularly like the one sail that is bent (the one at "3-o'clock").
I looked at cropping the right side to remove the 2 white dots and then spot brushing out the remaining one and also liked that result - try it out and see what you think.
I took photos of windmills in Spain and never thought of trying long exposure or double exposure. I will keep that in mind for future trips!
Thanks for another creative photo!
Rob
Posted: 07/09/2026 16:41:15
Thank you, Rob!, I am so glad that you could see just what I was after! - I think that cropping and painting ovet the spots improvisaatio the image a lot! Posted: 07/10/2026 17:09:54
Hi Kirsti,
A very ethereal image like many you have submitted before, and equally as well done. I do like the double exposure and the way the clouds streak in the sky. The addition of grain was also a good touch. In addition, I like the tone of the image - dark, almost dream like to my eye.
My only suggestion is to remove the white spots on the left side as they are, to my eye, distracting.
I very creative image Kirsti, thank you for sharing it with us. Posted: 07/12/2026 00:16:35
A very ethereal image like many you have submitted before, and equally as well done. I do like the double exposure and the way the clouds streak in the sky. The addition of grain was also a good touch. In addition, I like the tone of the image - dark, almost dream like to my eye.
My only suggestion is to remove the white spots on the left side as they are, to my eye, distracting.
I very creative image Kirsti, thank you for sharing it with us. Posted: 07/12/2026 00:16:35
Thank you so much for the lovely comments, Ed! I'll definitely remove the spots! Posted: 07/12/2026 08:37:59