Tradd Street

Row of Homes, Tradd Street, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Soft morning light greets a row of homes along Tradd Street,
one of the oldest streets in Charleston.
Tradd Street dates back to the late 17th century,
and some of the present day houses were built in the Colonial era.

They Gave Me Vinegar to Drink

Angel Sculpture, Ponte Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Film photography)


This sponge wielding angel was designed by Italian sculptor Antonio Giorgetti, and is one of ten marble angels on the Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome.
Each holds an instrument used during the Passion, and is inscribed with
Latin phrases referencing the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion. 

Night Path

Night Path, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



For those who are in the mood to stroll, Charleston's Gateway Walk 
offers an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Along the way you will encounter 
intimate charms that make this city unique.

Twinkle

Garden Door and Twinkle Lights, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A garden door can't hide the beauty of
a flourishing cherry tree strung with twinkle lights.

Misty Monday - Painterly

West Quoddy Head Light, Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A lighthouse stands vigil at the edge of a misty sea, 
a subject that is perhaps worthy of an Edward Hopper painting.

Rhythm of the Pier

Fishing Pier at Dusk, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A pattern of pilings at dusk makes a fascinating graphic 
enhanced by the glassy sheen of the beach.

Morning Garden

Garden Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Morning light graces a garden 
tucked away behind scrolling ironwork.

Tidelands at Dusk

Palmettos and Tidal Marsh, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Palmetto fronds are silhouetted at dusk 
beside a tranquil tidal marsh on Daniel Island.

Sun Watching

Pelican at Sunrise, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A brown pelican has the perfect perch for watching the sun 
peek over a boardwalk on Charleston Harbor.

Lighting the Night

Lantern at Dusk, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A glowing lantern offers warm light as twilight fades to night.

Streets of Gold

Cobblestone Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



A cobblestone street looks as though 
it was touched by the hand of Midas.

Number One, Still

Sunrise, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Charleston was recently named the top city in North America as a travel destination by Travel and Leisure magazine... and number two world wide. 
The city continues its run as one of the best travel experiences anywhere.
And it's a fun place to photograph!

Autumn in the Cove

Barn in the Autumn, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Autumn in Cades Cove accentuates 
the rustic and idyllic nature 
of this Appalachian scene.

Elongated

Lamp Shadow, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Film photography)



Sunset transforms a street lamp into an elongated shadow 
down the narrow alleyway of Elliott Street.

Garden

Garden Gate with Flowering Vines, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Stepping through this garden gate
 envelopes you with the fragrance of flowering vines.

Adam, may your birthday be a sunlit garden
full of peace and joy... and an awesome futbol pitch.




 

Waiting for the Rush

Tables, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Before the midday rush, empty tables quietly await the arrival 
of customers at a restaurant in Saint Mark's Square.

Fenced In

Sand Fence, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




Fences placed strategically along the beach
 keep unruly sand from roving around too much.

Snow Mountain

Mt. Snefells Wilderness, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Freshness fills this Colorado scene both in verdant flora and invigorating mountain air. Mt. Snefells derives its name from the Nordic word snaefell,
which means "snow mountain".... clearly an appropriate appellation
for even in summer the high peak holds ribbons of snow.

Battery Balconies

Balconies on the East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Sunrise suffuses the balconies of a Greek Revival mansion on 
Charleston's East Battery. In 1865, evacuating Confederate 
troops demolished their cannons along the Battery by blowing 
them up. A 500 pound piece of cannon landed atop this house 
and is still lodged in the attic. 

Paradise Found

Pond, Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



If you're looking for paradise this summer,
you'll find it at the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon.

High Above

Canyon, Colorado National Monument, Colorado  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



I like heights. Whether it's being up in the Burj Khalifa overlooking Dubai and
the Arabian Desert, being on a mountain top in Yosemite overlooking
the Sierra Nevada ranges, or flying at 30,000 feet above Earth and
seeing its amazing topography. So, it was exciting to visit Colorado National Monument, where Rim Rock Drive offered dramatic views of canyons and
the Colorado River valley in the distance.

Independence

Single House Entry on a Cobblestone Street, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Happy 4th of July from Charleston,
where Edward Rutledge and Arthur Middleton,
two signers of the Declaration of Independence,
were born and raised.

Throwbaack Thursday - Not a Photo App

Sand Dune Fence, Folly Beach, SC. © Doug Hickok, All Rights Reserved. 
(Click on image for larger view. Kodachrome Film)




Before the invention of photo apps that were made to look like film photography, there was film photography. This image of a sand dune fence at Folly Beach was made on 35mm Kodachrome back in the 1980's. I pulled the slide from my files recently and scanned it. It shows a bit of aging, yet is mostly in good condition. 
If I had my choice of photo apps, I'd go for the old Kodachrome look. 
But there's nothing like the original.

Finding an Angle

Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




The long fishing pier at Folly Beach is a frequently photographed subject along the South Carolina coast. I like photographing it too. It has a certain rustic architectural handsomeness. On this occasion, I sought to portray it with evening light and color. But I wanted a different perspective than the usual. Eventually I found an angle that emphasizes the pier's height... a sensation further enhanced by its reflection mirrored in wet sand.

Dawn Chorus

Oak Tree at Dawn, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, ACE Basin, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



The dawn chorus refers to the stirring of bird life at twilight,
when their songs and calls come together as one,
and take to the cool morning air.
Add to this arrangement vociferous crickets and frogs
and you have quite an ensemble!

South of Broad

Gate and Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A beautiful decorative gate contrasts with a rustic brick wall that hosts soft mosses and ferns. Beyond the gate is a Georgian style house that dates from the 18th century. It exemplifies an old city charm often found in the area called South of Broad, where some of Charleston's earliest neighborhoods remain. 

Revisiting

Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  
© Doug Hickok. All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)




Occasionally I like to revisit "old friends", such as Crabtree Falls, 
high in the lush folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 
This old friend is a cool, refreshing spot away from the madding crowd, 
in a thickly wooded ravine where tranquil water blows cool moist breezes. 
In essence, it is a natural air conditioner, perfect for hot summer relief.

Beached

Old Tree Trunk, Botany Bay Plantation, Edisto Island SC 
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Unlike the long smooth beaches of South Carolina's resorts, the 
sea island beach at Botany Bay is wild and chaotic. It is strewn with the remains of an old maritime forest. The relentless forces of the sea whittle away at the forest's edge. Trees topple onto the sand where they lie beached and bleached by sun and salt.

Broad Street Blues

Broad Street at Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok. All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)



A look down Broad Street shows a variety of architectural styles indicative of Charleston's long history, from the colonial era to the 19th century. The blues in the shadows reflect the sky's color temperature on a cloudless morning... 
infused with the sway of Miles Davis notes running through my head.

Anthropomorphism?

Electrical Box, Maritime Center, Charleston, SC  © Doug  Hickok. All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)




People have excelled over the millennia at projecting human characteristics on to non-human objects. Very often the comparisons require genuine suspension of disbelief or at least a stretch of the imagination. A case in point is this electrical box at a Charleston marina which has anthropomorphic qualities, 
looking a bit like a fantastical face... or not.

The Colors of Folly

Palmetto Tree and Mural, Folly Beach, SC  Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The town of Folly Beach is one of my favorite places to photograph color. 
At the beach, sunrise or sunset offers beautiful warm colors. 
But in town, it is possible to find a kaleidoscope of colors. 
I try to frame my images tightly in the camera and explore combinations of hues, both natural and man made.

Indirectly Speaking

Sunrise on Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)




When telling a story, whether its fiction writing or photography, 
it may be effective to show a subject indirectly, 
letting the viewer's imagination complete the picture.

Fallen Timber

Fallen Timber, Little Hunter's Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)



Fallen timber stretches across a jumble of rock along the coast of Maine. 
The beach here is quintessential Maine, wild and rugged.

Core of the French Quarter

French Quarter Churches, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



In the center of Charleston's Historic District stands a tandem of churches
that form the core of the French Quarter. Seen here, from left to right,
are the Tuscan style Saint Philip's Anglican Church, its parish house,
and the Gothic style French Huguenot Church. The early settlement
of Charleston was open to an array of faiths, making it unique among
the original colonies for its religious tolerance.

Balance

Sunrise, Atlantic Ocean, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for large view. Velvia slide film.)



Morning on Folly Beach finds the sun
balanced upon the sea.

Flowers Runneth Over

Flower Boxes, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Every year this house on Meeting Street displays lush,
overflowing, flower boxes. Combined with the ornate ironwork,
the large shuttered windows and the warm colors,
it exemplifies the beauty and charm regularly seen along
Charleston streets.

Past Glory

Red Mountain, near Ouray, Colorado  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Red Mountain is named for the color of the iron ore exposed on its slopes.
It's peak is framed by the remains of a mining operation which dates from the
late 1800's, when this part of Colorado was one of the richest sources of
precious minerals in the world.

Up Into the Light

Steps, Fort Moultre, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Beneath the 19th century defenses of Fort Moultrie
is a network of dimly lit tunnels. When following the maze
of twists and turns you wonder how long it will be until you
step out of the darkness and up into the light.

Rainbow at Dawn

Lantern, Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Dawn light brings out the lovely color scheme of Charleston's Rainbow Row.

Misty Monday - Two Trees

Two Trees, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Two conifers stand in contrast to the misty ridges
of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Night Stroll

Saint Michael's Church at Night, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Framed by a pair of gas lanterns, the steeple of Saint Michael's Church glows like a candle on a peaceful summer evening. Whether ambling through the historic district after dinner at one of Charleston's fabulous restaurants, or just out for a romantic night stroll, this is just one of the charming scenes you are sure to see.

Play and Work

Morning Surfers, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Two surfers stroll along the beach ready to play in the waves,
 while in the distance a shrimp boat trolls the sea for its daily catch.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

Line of Bicycles, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A fun way to see Charleston is on a bicycle. There are several
 places around town to rent them and explore the city's narrow
 streets and alleyways. For some reason, a catchy Queen tune
 keeps running through my brain...

Shaker Minimalism

Bedroom, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Simple but functional was the ethos of the 19th century Shaker life style.
This guiding principle was demonstrated perfectly in the design and construction
of their furniture, the influence of which is seen today in the minimalist approach to creating modern furniture.

Famous Quotes

Window and Lamp Shadow, near Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



I came,
I saw,
I snapped.

Fountain of Youth

Pineapple Fountain at Sunrise, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Waterfront Park is a great place to watch a sunrise.
And, if you dare to splash and wade in the cool fountain waters,
 you just may remember a forgotten moment from your youth.

Narrow Passage

Stolls Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



At one end, Stolls Alley is a narrow footpath bordered by
 tall brick walls. But here it opens a little
 to reveal a driveway at the other end, just wide enough for
residents to steer their cars toward colonial era homes.

To the Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Acadia National Park, Maine
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



At Acadia National Park, a short trail leads to this beautiful
 vantage point looking west to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
 and the setting sun.

Before the Bustle

Ravenel Bridge at Dawn, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



A quiet moment at dawn reveals the Ravenel Bridge
 and the placid waters of Charleston Harbor.
Later in the day both will bustle with car and boat traffic...
plus a few dolphins for good measure.

Right Light

Painted Brick, Gas Station near Ravenel, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



A painted pattern of color and a bit of blue sky transforms
 an ordinary building into an eye catching image.
I spotted this while driving and felt compelled to turn around 
to grab the shot while the light was right.