Farms

Fence Post on a Farm, near Dayton, Ohio  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



There is nothing quite like the textures at farms... the rough hardwood of fences and barns, the bristly fur of livestock, the soft feathers of fowl, the delicate leaves of crops and gardens, the cool metal of machinery, the firm yet friable feel of the earth... the simple joy of being connected with the land.

The View from Rough Ridge

Boardwalk, Tanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



Along Rough Ridge, the Tanawha Trail becomes a boardwalk over a 
fragile mountain-heather ecosystem. Rhododendrons bloom rosy hues while 
in the distance the Line Cove Viaduct, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, 
can be seen below a cliff.

Scenes like this make me long for the mountains!

Fading Pine

Old Pine Tree, Lily Lake and Long's Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




The solitary remains of an old pine overlooks a lake in the Rocky Mountains. 
As this tree fades to dust, younger pines growing near by will replace it. 
The life cycle continues.

A Subtle Touch

Hand Rail, Saint Philip's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


A little curl at the end gives this hand rail a subtle touch of ornamentation which one might overlook on their way to Sunday services.

A Folly Stonehenge

Ruins of a Jetty, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



This "Stonehenge" on Folly Beach is nothing more than the rotting
remains of an old jetty. Despite man's best efforts, constant erosion
by wind and water whittle away the beaches. And yet, we continue
to be drawn to the magnificent, natural boarder of land and sea.

Deep South

Rural Road, Edisto Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A scene on Edisto Island symbolizes the way many envision the Deep South...
a tunnel of live oak limbs festooned with Spanish moss,
arching over a rural road... y'all.

Throwback Thursday - The Battery's Blooming Oleanders

Flowering Oleanders, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Years ago one of the spectacles of Charleston was the colorful and profuse blooming of oleanders along the entire length of East Battery. It was one of my favorite places to go to capture the picturesque beauty of the city.

But in recent years the parks department has kept the fast growing shrubs trimmed low, and the abundant flowers no longer frame the views of the old antebellum mansions.

Peaceful Beginnings

Old Canon and General Moultre Statue, The Battery, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



A quiet morning at The Battery shows an old canon and a statue of General Moultre facing sunrise over the harbor. William Moultre's defense of the harbor at Sullivan's Island prevented the British from capturing Charleston in the early stages of the American Revolution.

Even with all the military reminders at The Battery, it is the perfect locale for a peaceful day's beginning.

Accent in Green

Tidal Marsh Grass, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



I made this image of wavy salt marsh grass looking straight down from the Ravenel Bridge several years ago. I was captivated by the strong color and texture, a perfect match for the Velvia slide film I was using at the time. Spoleto chose the shot as an accent image in this year's ticket brochure.

Noh Play to Miss

Dock Street Theatre, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A spotlight venue for Spoleto performances is the old Dock Street Theatre. Included in this year's shows is Matsukaze, a Japanese Noh play made into an opera... sung in German with English subtitles... directed by a Chinese director... in Charleston's French Quarter.  You don't want to miss this one!

Iconic Landmark

Steeple of Saint Philip's Church, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Saint Philip's Church is an iconic landmark in Charleston's French Quarter, where many art galleries and restaurants can be found. The French Quarter is also a busy locale for Spoleto events.

The city of Charleston holds its own version of Spoleto called Piccolo Spoleto. Historic Saint Philip's Church is the venue for one of the Piccolo events, a choral music performance featuring the Singers of Summerville.

Lights on Shem Creek

Bokeh Lights, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This is one of the images used in the design of the Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure... it makes a nice soft background for overlay of copy.

2013 Spoleto Festival USA

2013 Spoleto Festival USA Ticket Brochure Cover
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Spoleto Festival USA begins in Charleston today. It is a much celebrated annual event that runs for about two weeks, and is one of the largest international arts festivals in the world.

One of my ironwork images was selected for the ticket brochure cover this year. The marketing department at Spoleto favors images that have a strong graphic design while also hinting at the unique character of Charleston. The talented designers at Stitch Design Co. chose one of my photographs and transformed it into a terrific cover image.

I am honored to have a guest appearance on the Spoleto Festival USA blog this year as well. I wrote a brief entry on how I go about making photographs of Charleston.

I also have Spoleto prints for sale in the Charleston Crafts gallery at 161 Church Street near the Market.

Palace Coffee Room

Coffee Room, Al Ain Palace, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Of all the rooms in all the palaces and hotels and resorts in the UAE, this one would be my favorite... the coffee room in Sheikh Zayed's palace. This is where he entertained his guests while serving fresh Arabian coffee straight from the coals.

Coffee is an excellent word... a very excellent word... one which I love to use freely in daily conversation. Yes, it is derived from the Arabic qahwah, which means any stimulating drink, but especially the one which Doug drinks with relish

Today's post concludes our UAE series. I hope you have enjoyed them as much as we did! Tomorrow I will switch to regular programing, featuring images of Charleston and other points on the compass. But because I have so many images from the UAE, I will continue to post them occasionally.

An Oasis for the Biker

Bicyclist, Al Ain Oasis, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



One way to get around the brick paved lanes of the sprawling Al Ain oasis is by bicycle, but we chose to walk because we were bird watching.

Tower with a Twist

Infinity Tower, Dubai, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Construction work nears completion on the Infinity Tower of Dubai. It will be the tallest skyscraper in the world with a 90 degree twist. Incidentally it is designed and engineered by the same American firm that did the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on record.

A Courtyard Oasis

Courtyard, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A courtyard at Sheikh Zayed's Palace in the oasis town of Al Ain was a refuge from arid desert. Walls built around the palace enclosed an area that was ideal for shade trees and quiet rooms for retreat from the heat.

Room with a View

Observation Deck, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The view from 124 floors above Dubai shows the expanse of the UAE's desert landscape. Needless to say there is plenty of room
 for the city to expand out there.

On a different topic, we switch from one view to another...

My photographer friend, George Munday, of Waterford Co., Ireland 
is finalizing a book project, a collection of his fine art photographs called 
"Waterford, A County Revealed". 
Please take a moment to check out this link to his website to learn more.

The Hardy Ghaf

Ghaf Trees, near Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




Arabian ghaf trees grow in extremely arid conditions where water is seemingly absent. Yet, because of their deep tap roots (as long as 100 feet), they are able to survive by finding subterranean water tables. 

Ghaf trees were an essential source of food, shelter and medicine for desert tribes and therefore cherished by them. But in recent decades it's survival has been threatened, which is why it has been declared a protected national treasure in the UAE.

As you may have guessed by now, if you have been following our UAE posts, this image was taken from a camel as we rode through the desert.

Golden Glow

Dome Finials and Minaret Balconies, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Like a scene from the tales of the "Arabian Nights", golden balconies and finials glow in afternoon light on the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Gold is used through out the detailing of this amazing edifice. I can not imagine how much of it was used, but I can assure you it is worth its weight in visual impact.

The English word carat comes from the Arabic qirat, a small unit of weight, specifically the coin weight for the medieval Arabian gold dinar.