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Polarization in Siouxland, Sioux City

18 May
Clouds create a backdrop of city hall in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I believe there has always been a debate between various factions of photographers, some in Siouxland as well, about whether one should use a polarizing filter on lenses when taking photos. I myself waffle back and forth. Those times I use it, I like the extreme saturation, and almost too dark images that are created. Other times I might go months without using it. And sometimes I don’t even think about it.

A sculpted art piece near the Art Center in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A sculpted art piece near the Art Center in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A sculpted art piece near the Art Center in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Even when taking photographs in black and white a polarizing filter can add more contrast by affecting the light as it strikes the camera’s sensor. I have used one previously when shooting film, both for color and black and white. The above photos give a bit of an idea of its affect. The filter can give a scene an unreal look, but can also create more appeal especially when photographing fall foliage against a bright blue sky. The light quality in the fall is different, not quite so harsh, but a softer light as the earth does its rotation around the sun.

Love the filter or hate the filter, it’s just another tool that can add something to a photograph when the conditions are right and one wants to punch up the scene.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Clouds create a backdrop in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Clouds create a backdrop in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday April 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Behind Door #1 in Siouxland, Osmond, Randolph and Snyder, NE

12 May
A doorway that apparently hasn’t been used in years or even decades at a residence in the downtown area of Snyder, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Although a local resident said a number of felines have been seen coming and going. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

My travels throughout Siouxland to small towns and communities always provides an opportunity to see doorways. And for some odd reason I find doorways a fascinating subject. I have not found similar doorways in most places I have visited. I suppose the odds are similar to winning the lottery. Infinitesimal chances of any two being the same. So although shapes and construction might be similar, doorways are not.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A new and older door of a building in the downtown area of Snyder, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A very nondescript doorway to the police department in the downtown area of Osmond, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An older building in the downtown area of Randolph, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A side doorway entrance to a building in the downtown area of Osmond, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Deciding on Perspective in Siouxland, Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha, NE

28 Apr
An archway leading into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes when I am photographing in Siouxland and various parts near it, I have self-discussions concerning perspective and what I want to show in a photograph. Some decisions are easy with the subjects easily discerning what I show. The angle is good but do I include more or less of what I photograph?

A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

When I first photographed the pillars I saw them in black and white, grey tones with light and shadows. Only after photographing a bit did I notice the pigeon sunning itself and ignoring the other “tourists” who were enjoying a day out after some blustering winter weather that was sticking around. The stone in the larger shot easily shows off the texture of the rock. Getting closer it becomes more about the pillars and the light and shadow play. Tighter still, the pigeon then comes into play.

And if one photographs in color, a whole new dynamic is created.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Nothing Special in Siouxland, Omaha, NE

20 Apr
Light and shadow play at the Old Market in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes while out photographing subject matter is not of any particular interest to me, but rather color or light and shadow. The object or place photographed might or might not be of any significance. But rather what is created by its and surrounding tonality. A snippet of space with no apparent past or future. It just is. A moment in time. Sometimes that is enough.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Light and shadow play at the Old Market in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Making More Choices in Siouxland, Black and White, or Color, Omaha, NE

8 Apr
Downtown Omaha seen from the Gene Leahy mall in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

No matter where I might roam in and around Siouxland, there are always choices to be made when shooting photographs. And depending on the subject or location and other particulars like lighting, choosing to make black and white images or color can sometimes be a tough choice.

I like color for when it really work and is as much the subject as whatever the photographed subject is. But then, black and white could be a crutch when subjects are boring and the contrast between light and shadow creates some dynamics in the photo. But then, like color, it becomes the subject more than what is photographed.

Downtown OmahaNE seen from the Gene Leahy mall Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And tonality in black and white is important. The top photo uses darker shades to set off the buildings and architectural elements while the next photo the middle grey doesn’t enhance the image, but doesn’t necessarily detract either. So then it’s incumbent upon the photographer to frame the subject so it will stand out from the surroundings if that is the intention of the photographer.

And color is just that, color. People see their surroundings in color and do not give most times a second thought what they are seeing. So is the image more banal because color becomes a default or the norm? Choices. Sometimes too many, sometimes not enough.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Downtown Omaha seen from the Gene Leahy mall Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Black and White Architecture in Siouxland, Sioux City

17 Mar
Late afternoon sunlight in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Monday, Feb. 25, Sioux City Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

On a recent outing in Siouxland the daylight hours ended with some strong sunlight after a very drab, grey and overcast start to the day. When shooting in black and white I am reminded of turn of the century photographs taken by various photographers, using light and shade to create images. Normally large cities produce better images of this type simply because of the buildings there. Even better when the buildings themselves have survived from early 20th century.

Late afternoon sunlight in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Monday, Feb. 25, Sioux City Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Late afternoon sunlight in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Monday, Feb. 25, Sioux City Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Many of the smaller communities I have visited in the past in and around Siouxland have some older buildings, since the state of Iowa became one in the mid 1800’s. Earlier communities all had some kind of structure that served as a courthouse, hotel, bank or maybe some kind of industrial facility. Now, many of these former buildings are seeing life as law firms (people with money to refurbish them), apartments or other non industrial kinds of businesses.

Photographing older brick buildings in black and white still gives them an austere look and demeanor that color can not achieve. The tonality created has a certain look that red brick or other kind of faded exterior color shade just doesn’t work. But used judiciously black and white achieves a desired affect that I think is timeless and and harkens back to an earlier time period.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Late afternoon sunlight in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Monday, Feb. 25, Sioux City Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying a “Rust”ic adventure in Siouxland, Tekamah, NE

17 Nov

Rusted roofs of sheds near a grain elevator in Tekamah, NE Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes simple is best. During a recent outing in Siouxland and driving a backroad on a return trip from Omaha, NE, I came across some buildings that had seen better days while on a photo safari with a fellow photographer. Sometimes when I see something, one aspect of a possible image just “speaks to me” and I then must work hard to slow down and photograph other possibilities. The other photographer had spotted a grain elevator off the beaten path as we drove through Tekamah and so ventured up toward that area. I was fascinated by another building at first and made number of images of it and some other objects but then drifted back to a couple of sheds. In humans, the “stains” and aged marks would give a person a worn, weathered look, maybe good or bad, depending on one’s point of view. But the buildings made me thing of similar places I had seen as a child growing up on a farm in a smaller community. Maybe not having that distinguished look of a stone structure in a big city of a courthouse or library, but the two sheds were humble in their appearance and the work they seen taken place under their eaves.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A detail image of a grain elevator in Tekamah, NE Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Seeing Red in Siouxland, Tekamah, NE

28 Oct

A doorway with red markings on a an older brick building fallen into disrepair in Tekamah, NE Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are some days while driving about Siouxland that something catches one’s eye. Traveling with a friend recently we passed through the small town Tekamah, NE and an old grain elevator caught his eye. And while walking about I saw an old brick building, and a doorway, or what was left of each. What the red markings might mean to someone is anybody’s guess. Maybe even the one who made them.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Enjoying History in Siouxland, Without Knowing it, rural South Dakota, Beresford

20 May

Older barns in disrepair seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

When I traverse various parts of Siouxland while driving about I find that I see fewer and fewer older wooden barn. The rustic look, even in disrepair, hail to an era that has for the most part passed. Farmers or those farming ( industrial operations) no longer erect the wooden structures that at one time housed animals, harvested crops and machinery. As the bigger is better mantra continues to envelope America and it’s ideal of business the small farmer also has disappeared and the structures now that house equipment is metal or fiberglass. More cost effective, less maintenance and all of those things that attribute to the bottom line.

But I miss seeing the structures. And most times I happen upon them at the wrong time of day while out driving around. Maybe seeing them in passing. Sometimes stopping, sometimes not, depending on if I am time constrained to arrive someplace.

Two older barns seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The rustic nature appeals to my visual sense, but the use and disuse and decay speaks to another passing of an era where form and factor are no longer valued. That thought could be addressed to a lot of areas and state of affairs these days. When at a small time museum a few years ago a docent was showing school children and older wall phone which had the spin knob to wind it up and get a connection along with the ear piece held to one’s head and the extended speaker you had to lean into to speak with the operator, as well as the desk top model with the rotary dial.

The children had no idea what the two items were, and were quite astonished when they learned that what they carried in their pockets and took for granted was large, non moveable and didn’t have a screen. Advances in technology is marvelous with many wonderful inventions, but sometimes I wonder at what loss does this occur without the accompanying history that brought the state of humanity to this next level of achievement and the effort to get there.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An older barn in disrepair seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Seeing a Historical Landmark in Siouxland, Garfield Township Hall, Beresford, SD

28 Apr
The former Garfield Township Hall seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 the hall was built sometime around 1908. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Bits and pieces of history are scattered throughout Siouxland, probably like many other places, and little recognized by most people, even those living in the area. Passed by and seen as some old building, maybe past its prime. The Garfield Township Hall is a historic place that served its purpose earlier in another century.

According to a Wikipedia account the township of Garfield was established in 1880. It was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. And currently it appears that someone or group is trying to give it a little TLC.

The former Garfield Township Hall seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 the hall was built sometime around 1908. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Township halls in earlier days was a place for pioneers and locals to conduct business in the area. At the time the region of Dakota Territory was being settled and developing from early trading posts and forts along the Missouri River. It is reported the hall was constructed sometime in 1908. It served as a polling place, a theater, a local government office, and a public meeting space. The Wiki report states that in 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) added a basement and renovated the building’s facade to its present appearance. The Garfield Township Hall is one of the few remaining buildings of historic note that is still standing.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The former Garfield Township Hall seen Friday, April 8, 2022 in rural South Dakota, located south of Beresford, SD. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 the hall was built sometime around 1908. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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