Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Charleston Shutters

Shutters, Tradd Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


As you stroll along the narrow streets and alleyways of old Charleston, you will notice most residential windows come adorned with a functioning pair of shutters. For a city that can be exposed to heavy weather from the sea... tropical storms and hurricanes... having shutters that quickly close to protect windows is a benefit. Shutters are usually made of timber and painted an assortment of colors pre-approved by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

But one shutters to think what would happen if an unapproved color was ever used... say, neon pink polka dots over a dayglow green background. Egads!

(If you click on the link above and "Launch Color Visualizer", you can paint the town red... or any color you prefer!)


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26 comments:

  1. ChristopherDecember 13, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    I love a town full of shutters--it's how a place should look. The angular light shows so much great detail here Doug. Nicely see and composed.

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  2. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahDecember 13, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    A very cool capture with the diagonal decision and light source !

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  3. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"December 13, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    A superior image of some rather sub-standard painting and decorating.

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  4. yzDecember 13, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    love the strong shadow
    i wonder if one could lock that with the thick paint...

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  5. Traveling HawkDecember 13, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    Do you have such old shutters in Charleston? That's amazing!

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  6. Kovács MiklósDecember 13, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    Very cool tone , like a door into the ghost's house. Cheers

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  7. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    beautiful shot, shadows, lights, loneliness ...
    Very Beuno photography.
    Greetings .-

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  8. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    A beauty!

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  9. Victoria/SwedenDecember 13, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Beautiful photo!

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  10. brattcatDecember 13, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    wow, painted right down to the hook-and-eye.

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  11. Marie LCDecember 13, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    I like this color. Very nice texture.

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  12. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Nice light and shadow.

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  13. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    They look solid enough to withstand almost anything.

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  14. London CallerDecember 13, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Colours pre-approved by the Board?
    There's no absolute freedom in the States. Ha!
    Even in the communist Cuba, people can choose their own colours for their windows. ;0)
    But you know what...
    Malaysia is worse than both USA and Cuba.
    Yes, it's a communist democracy. ;p

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  15. Luis GomezDecember 13, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Love it! Doug.

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  16. OlaDecember 13, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    wow, what a color!

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  17. Cezar and LéiaDecember 13, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    wonderful blue, great close up, your picture is beautiful!
    Léia

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  18. DomLOrthaDecember 13, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    What a blue! Very beautiful detail.
    Have a nice day.

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  19. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Shooters it,s what we are going to need, because the sea it,s coming very rough. Nice photo, I like the colour.
    Greetings

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  20. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I,m sorry shutters

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  21. donDecember 13, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    The heavily overpainted shutter has a fine color and looks well maintained. I can see someone wanting something different getting turned down by the board.

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  22. FilipBlogDecember 14, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    I am almost sure they don't open this door anymore.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  23. Martina EgliDecember 14, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    The shadows and textures are fabulous. I wonder what is behind this beautiful turquoise door?

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  24. franzDecember 14, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    very attractive details, color and textures ...

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  25. georgeDecember 16, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    I'm sure that neon pink polka dots over a dayglow green background would have its admirers...but this one is like an abstract blue symphony - and minimalist too!

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  26. rianDecember 28, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    color has to be approved? wow.. talk about strict.. but yeah, if someone was to paint it in the color you described, then that'd be weird.. :D nice shot!

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