True Blue

Blue Steps, Society Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


This could be a scene from the Mediterranean...
 Spain, Greece or Morocco...
but it is, in fact, Charleston.
The wear and tear of tropical heat & humidity
add texture and character to this true blue view.

Patchy

Weathered Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok


What used to be a new brightly polished truck
 has evolved into a dulled geography of
patchy old blues.

And now for something completely different...
check out this photography link
to the work of an
invisible man.

Have a terrific weekend!

Imbued with Blue

Boat Dock, Allatoona Lake, near Lebanon, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


When evening approaches and the sun dips below shadowy hills, 
almost everything is imbued with the hue of blue...
boat ramp, rocks and water,
even the recalcitrant red of rusting metal.

Ascending Patios

Glass Patios, The Ascent, Covington, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok


This close-up of glass patios ascending up the frame gives an indication of the quirkiness of this luxury condominium's cutting edge architectural design. Views from the patios overlook Cincinnati and the rolling hills of the Ohio River Valley.

Cool Breeze

Window Display, Surf Shop, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


When I was a bit younger than I am today, and living in Southern California, I had a roommate who nicknamed me "Cool Breeze" because of my calm and quite nature.  But now that I am much older, I am more likely to be called "Doddering Geezer".

Old Theatre

Main Entry and Balcony, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


This image of the old Dock Street Theatre was made several years ago. The theatre has since been refurbished. Although it lies near the center of the French Quarter, in the early years of the Charlestowne colony it overlooked a tidal creek, hence the name Dock Street. Over time the creek was filled in, and the land used to expand the old town limits.

Night Alley

Longitude Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


This alley is estimated to be the oldest street in its original state in Charleston. It dates back to the early years when old Charlestowne was a small walled city, one of only four in colonial North America.

Today also introduces a new color for the week (in a small amount). During the previous four weeks, we have had a color theme for each week, starting first with red. We are gradually working our way through the spectrum, with three more weeks to go.

I apologize again for not keeping up with blogging. I am still working on assignment, trying to meet deadlines.

Have a good Sunday!

Getting Its Dew

Hosta Leaf, Old Farm House Garden, Lewisburg, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


By being planted next to a pond, in a humid climate, this green hosta is getting its due... by accumulating dew overnight, it absorbs the morning moisture through its large leaves, thus satisfying its inveterate thirst for water.

Due to the deep grooves running the length of the leaves, moisture is duly channeled and gathered for optimum consumption.

Contemplation

Ferns and Bench, Thuya Gardens, Mount Desert Island, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This solitary bench placed next to a lush growth of ferns seems the perfect spot for quiet contemplation... maybe on this week's celebration of green and the first week of spring.

Something else for you to contemplate is the photography link below...

When walking along the street, have you ever had the sudden urge to bust a ballet move, perhaps leaping into the air and performing a grand jete´ ? Then you will appreciate this set of intriguing images.

Travel Companion

Bear Photog, at a rest stop, somewhere in Kentucky  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This little bear with a camera, my protege, traveled with us last summer on several of our road trips. He kept asking me to take his picture. So I obliged, and made this quick portrait of him while he posed on the dashboard.

Mint Chocolate Chip?

Quoins, Stucco and Shutter, Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This visual snippet of the corner of a 19th century commercial building on Broad Street shows a few architectural elements typically found in Charleston. Many structures are constructed of locally made brick, often in a Flemish bond pattern, smoothed over with stucco.

In this image, stucco quoins, made to look like quarried stones,  and a stucco wall, combine with a wooden shutter and an iron clasp to form a vignette reminiscent of the color of mint juleps or mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Out Late

Marquee Lights, Riviera Theater, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


At the end of the day, colorful lights on the Riviera Theater glow in the blue of twilight. Although you will not find any vampires or werewolves in this twilight, you will find me. Over the next several weeks, I will be up early and out late photographing (or in front of the computer processing images) on assignment for the Charleston Visitor's Bureau. They want to replenish and update their image library, so I will be out hunting new material for them.

I apologize for my sporadic or delinquent blogging. I will try to catch up when I can. But don't go away. I will keep on posting new pictures for you to enjoy each day.

Thank you for your patience!

Old Terminal

Old Port Passenger Terminal, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This view of the old passenger terminal at the port shows rusty metal siding that has weathered over the years. Below the pedestrian catwalk is the grass of the salt marsh in summer green. Due to the booming cruise ship business in Charleston, this building will come down when the new cruise ship passenger terminal begins construction.

 

Schoodic

Lobster Boats, near Prospect Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


Lobster boats repose
beneath a blue Maine sky,
 after a long day of toil,
safely harbored till dawn
 calls them to sea
again.

Thus begins a new week,
 a new color theme
for you and I.

 

Sanctuary

Sanctuary Sign, Angel Oak, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


We end this yellow week with wild birds gathering on a sign. After the wild week we've had, it's nice to have the sanctuary of the weekend ahead of us... maybe we need a "Hickok Sanctuary" sign in front of our home.

Tubing

Rows of River Tubes, Whitewater River, near Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


Have you ever been tubing? When it is summer time, and the living is easy, and the fish are jumping, and the cotton is high, somewhere there is a quiet river for your tubing pleasure. Jump in a tube, guide it carefully into the river, and float on the cool, soothing waters, move lazily with the calming currents, as though you had not a worry in the world. It is the perfect way to cool off on a sunny summer day.

If you don't have a lazy river near you (or if it's still too darn cold) here are a few photography links to explore indoors.

Odd and quirky sums up these images from Poland.

See the amazing undersea work of Wayne Levin, especially his fish schools series.

Finally, we present the incredible minimalist images of Matthias Heiderich.

Memories of Summers

Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)


This week I have presented warm pictures for your enjoyment, mostly from summers past. This picture I remember well, because I made it in Budapest on one of the hottest days of that year. The hot sun heats up the warm colors on the facade of this historic house on Castle Hill... lots of yellow and orange, with a little splash of green and blue.

One day soon, summer will come again.

Glimpse

Carriage Horses, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


While walking around the old city of Krakow one summer day, camera in hand, I decided to explore an open door that led to a long hallway. Finding a dead end there, I turned around toward the street, attracted by the sound of clip-clopping hooves. As I looked-up, I happened to glimpse a tandem of horses pulling a carriage. I made this quick image through the door just as the horse closest to me stepped forward.

A Tale of Knights Turning Tail

Yellow Picnic Table, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)



There was a time, long ago,
 when knights were brave and chivalrous.
 But the knights I tell a tale of were not.
 When trouble called, they were no where to be found.
 When damsels were distressed, they ran away.
 When jousting tournaments came to town,
they claimed a prior commitment.
 When lords called upon them for support in battle,
they hummed loudly and put their fingers in their ears.
 When a quest was required, they sent their squires.
 These my friends were The Knights of the Yellow Round Table.

Designer Trappings

Lobster Traps, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

March 12, 2012

Dear lobsters,

Do not be tempted by these lovely designer colors.

You may think that getting away from the mirky sea bottom and rising to the heights above the sea is progress... success.  You may have even heard of a process that will turn your shell from dreary and dull to a stunning shade of red and of bathing in fragrant  liquids.  DO NOT BE FOOLED!  Trust me... There's no place like home!

Sincerely,

Becky Hickok

Interior Designer

Hue & Eye Photography & Design

cc Dorothy and Toto too

A Tarn Yarn

Goldenrod Flowers, The Tarn, Acadia National Park, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)



At The Tarn we witnessed goldenrod swaying, 
two loons yodeling, 
three beavers drumming, 
four chipmunks chuckling, 
five trout clapping, 
and a moose dancing in a birch grove, 
all in a joyful greeting to the early morning light
 of an Acadian summer day.

A Time for Orange to End

Detail of a Kayak, Bohicket Marina, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


To end our color theme week like clockwork, 
orange dominates the entire composition,
leaving no room for other colors.

We have had a red week, then an orange. 
With tomorrow we begin a new week,
and a new hue,
for your eye.

Linked

Post and Chain, near Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)


Each moment in time is linked,
 in directions both past and present,
 like a chain.
Yet, where the links take us,
 is a mystery.

Except for today.
 Today, I offer links,
that contain no mysteries...
or do they?

Click this link to see Normandy in ghostly monochrome.

This link takes you to the impeccable Rodney Smith.

And the final link is Watanabe's Kabuki.

Buoys in the Hood

Orange Buoys in a Window, Bass Harbor, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


A row of orange buoys hangin' out in a lobster shack window in the neighborhood of Bass Harbor, Maine.

Strolling

Green Railing, Market Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


Strolling scrolls of green ironwork adorn the steps leading to the entrance of Market Hall.

Seperation

Palmetto Tree and Shutter, Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


From this vertiginous point of view, a palmetto tree and its doppelganger shadow are cleaved in two by a roof's razor edge.

Safe Harbor

Shrimp Boats at Sunset, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


A row of shrimp boats anchor safely along Shem Creek, as the setting sun casts its reflection in a cabin window. As in yesterday's post, the dominant color today is blue, although a complementary spot of orange adds a defining accent.

A New Week Means...

Display at an Open Bar, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


... a new color theme.
If you wish to speculate which color it is, I will gladly help by giving you a hint. In China and Japan, it is the color most associated with love and happiness.


May your week be filled with love and happiness.

Exception?

Stacked Canoes near Little Miami River, Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This black canoe is the only one in a stack of red ones. It is the oddity, the rara avis... which begs the question... does the exception prove or disprove the rule? This is a question that dates back to the Roman orator Cicero, from a rhetorical defense of his client. For example, would it be truthful to say that all of Doug's posts this week have the color red, therefore, red is always in his posts? Or, is it ordinary for Doug's posts not to have red, and this week is the exception that proves it.

More likely this is all just idiomatic gobbledegook.

Metal Mouth

Old Red Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


I had braces... both of my kids had braces... if only our "grills" looked this cool!

Keeping-up with a new tradition begun here at Doug's Photo Blog, I will end today's post with a photography link for your weekend enjoyment...


Great images are often a matter of being in the right place, at the right time and/or having a creative mind.

Out Looking...

Entry to the American Theatre, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


The voice in his head told him, "You never know what you might see when you are out looking". So he kept his eyes open and alert... all four of them. Little did he suspect that, when walking past this old movie theater, he would suddenly be enchanted by this wonderful collection of shapes, lines and warm colors. Doug could not resist the urge to take a picture...
 so he did.
And, he did all of that (dramatic pause),
 without tripping or stumbling.

Well, that was a really exciting story.