Flat Light Creating Boring Image in Siouxland, Hoar Frost and Temperature Conditions, Sioux City, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

Flat lighting from fog and frigid temperatures create a “pencil still life” along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Somedays while out photographing in the Siouxland region I am not really inspired by what I see. However I do enjoy witnessing and seeing the various lighting conditions that might occur when out. Whether it’s sunshine or heavily overcast, the lighting is the one thing that creates the image one will take. The conditions may not be ideal, but still, I used to tell photo students that I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a day that out photographing.

Bare trees seen at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missiouri Valley, Iowa Saturday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Dark tree bark stands out against hoard frost along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Contrasts play out with a tree and hoar frost along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

When I first began photography the film used was Kodak’s Tri-X, 400 ASA black and white film. A versatile choice as one could utilize it in so many ways. Underexposing and pulling processing to flatten it out for better tonality and resolution or pushing it by one, two and sometimes three stops or more to work in low light situations. Then selecting a paper to help complete the “visual” process.

Now while out shooting I consciously shoot either color or black and white, tweaking settings in camera for one or the other. With some added tweaks in post processing. I am not a “raw” shooter. Jpegs only. It makes me think of shooting slide film where one had to be spot on in exposure. Unlike shooting negative film (think color negative) where one sometimes had latitude to do some tweaks while printing. At least one has choices, then as now. And it’s better to pursue what is comfortable to a person in pursuing their endeavors than to listen to the “maddening crowd” and follow. One might never see the cliff for all the bodies in the foreground, metaphorically speaking.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A bridge is almost obscured with fog and hoar frost along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Hoart frost creates an interesting scene along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Hoar frost creates a winter wonderland along the Big Sioux River near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Venturing out in Siouxland as Temperatures rise, DeSoto

Getting out and enjoying oneself at the DeSoto National Wildlife, NE Saturday, April 25, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It is nice that there are a few nature preserves in and around and nearby in Siouxland where one can venture out and safely respect other people’s space while all enjoying the outdoors at temperatures now permit. And getting watch nature in its own natural habitat is always a plus.

Enjoying nature at the DeSoto National Wildlife, NE Saturday, April 25, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It still seems with the extended cool weather that is now slowly warming up that spring has taken a while to arrive and for the region to start showing some greenery to brighten up a brown and dismal looking landscape.

Spring arrival at the DeSoto National Wildlife, NE Saturday, April 25, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And folk can begin wandering about and finding spots to pursue their own recreation and see what luck they have in catching some dinner. When I fished as a child, it was always feast or famine. And just glad I didn’t have to depend on what I caught when I got home for supper.

Getting out and enjoying oneself at the DeSoto National Wildlife, NE Saturday, April 25, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And glad there was always one parent around to make certain the young ones were fed and tended too, just like in nature.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Eagle watching at the DeSoto National Wildlife, NE Saturday, April 25, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)