Petri’s father Martti left him a trove of photographs, including a large number of photographs from Petri’s childhood. They were mainly taken by Martti, using his Yashica-C 6×6 twin-lens reflex camera, and are almost all black and white. Petri first considered colouring them using AI and other modern tools. However, when he saw the results, he first thought the colours were far too sweet, almost sugary. Then he realised that this is just what his childhood memories are like: the sun always shines and all the colours are very bright. Here are some of those photos:
Riitta Paavola and Petri. If Petri remembers right, Riitta’s father was a distant cousin of Petri’s mother. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
The main building of the farm. Here it is almost entirely covered with Parthenocissus inserta, colloquially called false Virginia creeper. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri with a girl whose name he can’t remember. There seems to be some digging planned. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
This is the result — a very small pool. But there is plenty of fun to be had. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
“How do you actually play this game?” Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri does remember the names of these twin girls who admire flowers. They are Outi and Päivi. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri and his best summer friend Jarkko on a large rock which is actually a glacial erratic. In their imagination it was a boat or a ship. Jarkko had a younger sister Inka-Tiina who often joined in their games in the later years. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri in a tree. Here he ia not very high because even the photographer had to climb up there. And yes, Petri did fall out of a tree, but he never told his parents about it. It only came to light during Petri’s military service when traces of an old fracture in his pelvis were found. Photo: Lyyli Kutvonen
Petri’s father Martti, Petri’s cousin Riitta, and Petri. Riitta has been to confirmation classes. Today she will be confirmed and will have her first communion. Photo: Lyyli Kutvonen
Petri feeding the chickens. Photo: Lyyli Kutvonen
Riitta Paavola and Petri on the shore of Lake Nihua. The pier seems to be sinking. Riitta and the boy at the end of the pier are fishing with worms. The boy could be Riitta’s brother, whose name Petri cannot remember. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Also on lake Nihua. Petri and Petri’s cousin Riitta in the background. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri has been swimming in the lake. The swimwear of that time was such that you didn’t really want to keep it on after it got wet. Note: The oversaturation of colors makes bouth Riittas look like redheads. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Petri’s cousin Riitta on the sinking pier. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
Having a lakeside snack. Petri, Petri’s mother Lyyli, and Riitta Paavola. Photo: Martti Kutvonen
The photographer himself, Petris’s father Martti. Photo: Lyyli Kutvonen
In the sauna, probably 70°C. Photo: Martti Kutvonen