I just admit I never tire of getting out and trying to photograph Christmas decorations and trimmings in and about Siouxland. The bright, twinkling lights are uplifting and with other “bad” things in the news or happening, it is a bright spot (pun intended) for this holiday season. There still is some light in the world.
And it’s fun seeing people out enjoying the sights and winter activities, sans snow. It’s chilly, but not to terribly cold. In the Midwest and Siouxland, that is always a bonus this time of year.
I enjoy photographing architecture in cities, large and small, especially in the fall and winter, when the light is direct but not as harsh as the summertime, with the earth being as a different angle to the sun.
And many times when photographing places I respond visually not realizing what history there might be for some places that I do photograph. Ted and Wally’s ice scream shoppe is one such place in the Old Market in Omaha, NE. I liked how on this particular day it stood out with its white facade against the darker brick buildings and by this time low sunlight skimming the area from the west.
I learned more about Ted and Wally’s after reading a blog post by Omaha Exploration which went into great detail about the history of the building and previous owners and uses. The blog is centric to Omaha but the writer seems to enjoy sharing his knowledge about the area he lives in and around. It certainly helps inform me about places I have visited in that city as well as widens my knowledge and understanding about the area. A good resource and fun reading experience.
I live in the Siouxland area that encompasses a wide swatch of land in northwest Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The people that inhabit this area are generous folk and your basic honest, Midwestern people you like to have as neighbors. I explore the area and share observations, mostly photographic, sometimes through video, and and short text. All images and video are copyrighted material of the author.
Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa
jerrylmennenga@yahoo.com
lostinsiouxland 