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©)

Time Travel in Siouxland, Riverssance Festival, Sioux City

Fairy princesses blessing everyone they see and having fun at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A family outing at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The local Riverssance Festival in Siouxland every year transports people back to an era of a simpler time. Simpler by our standards. But a fun couple of days of fantasy life where most are lords and ladies or landed gentry. Well, almost lords and almost ladies. But all are still having fun living the dream.

Three young lassies enjoying the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Maidens in a fetching pose during the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Dressed for the occasion at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The festival this year fell within a wet period for the area, seven to eight days of near constant rain or drizzle. And many folk found themselves near fires for a little warmth as they walked about the encampment.

A number of fires were going to help people beat the damp and chill at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I enjoy most seeing people in costumes they either like or what they believe represents them. And that is always fun.

Staying warm on a damp and grey day at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A costumed fairy at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And of course it’s always fun watching the performers. Each has a skill set their share with their audience and a real joy for bringing this period of time to life for those attending.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A performer plays with fire at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Off with his cabbage head at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

So close yet so far, as a warrior maiden lances a hoop at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A performer plays with fire at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A fair maiden and her bird of prey at the Riverssance Festival in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sioux City Labor Day Picnic

Labor Day, a time to celebrate the working men and women of this country who actually built this country. All men and women. Because we all contribute in some small significant way. But that contribution is generally drowned out in anti union rhetoric by businesses that are hostile to working men and women who like everyone else, just want a better life for their children. And like with everything else, there is plenty of blame to go around for all sides. Arguments can be made by many why unions are good, and why unions are bad. But what seems to get lost in the rhetoric is that everyone wants business to succeed because then we all succeed.  At least that used to be true. Nowadays, it seems that corporate leaders are generally the ones who leave with golden parachutes while the middle managers and workers have their retirements and pension gutted so as to save the company for the company’s sake. But a company without employees is not really productive. Because it certainly is not the corporate executives who are actually creating the product through which they make their living. And what seems to be missing so often is real meaningful dialogue between the parties. Give and take. Compromise, which seems to be missing from life these days in the U.S. as the country becomes more extreme. There is no more middle, or it keeps diminishing, fading from view because moderates are not a likable lot. Who try to find the good in all things and make that good work amongst all of us, while working through the not so likable ideas. Reprints are available here.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa