Adding New Meaning...

Man and His Dog, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



... to the phrase,
 " Taking the dog for a walk."

Patterns in Counterpoint

Autumn Color and Spiraling Stairs, College of Charleston Campus, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Patterns formed by nature and man counterpoint
 in this image of late fall color in Charleston.



(Sorry for falling behind on my visits with you. I've been away, but will work on catching-up with everyone soon!)

Directions to the Future

Arrows on Road Pavement, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




Deciding which direction to take in life
 is a guessing game... 
and there are no arrows pointing the way
as there are on a highway.

But suppose you have a time machine, 
like the one in the H.G. Wells story,
 that can spin you into your future... 
so you can see where you have been
and all the turns you have made.

Would you take a different turn along the way
if you had a second chance?

Just an Ordinary Way...

Sunrise, Isle of Palms, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



... to start the day
on the beach.

Care for a stroll?

Holding it Together

Earthquake Bolt, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In 1886 Charleston experienced a major earthquake which leveled numerous old brick and stucco buildings. Afterward, earthquake bolts were inserted through many structures and tightened to give greater support for the next "big one".

Luckily the bolts have not been tested since!

A Guide for the Tough Times

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



Everyone needs a guide in their life at some point, to help them through the tough times. The Charleston Harbor Pilot is just that sort of guide, helping large container ships maneuver through narrow channels, safely into port.

Rainbow Row at Night

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



Even at night Charleston's Rainbow Row
 is much like a rainbow.

Stranded Oak

Boneyard Beach at Botany Bay, Edisto Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Sunrise between the limbs of a stranded oak
 casts long shadows upon the shell strewn beach of Botany Bay.

Spinning Thanksgiving

Holiday Lights, Marion Square, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Thinking about how much I have to be thankful for
 makes my head spin.
(and my camera too!)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Spanish Moss at Sundown

Sunset and Spanish Moss, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


At days end the golden sun illuminates Spanish Moss
 draped over this old oak, near a Cooper River salt marsh.

Moonlight Serenade

Battery Railing and Moonlight, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The moon shines alluringly upon the harbor like a soft serenade,
 casting its spell upon those who stroll along the Battery Promenade at twilight.

Misty Monday - Peaceful Slumber

Ashley River Marina, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Pleasure boats slumber in peace
 as dawn breaks on a misty Ashley River.

French Quarter Churches

Churches of the French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)



Framed by the columns of Saint Philip's Church and the facade of the French Huguenot Church is Ministries Hall, part of the Saint Philip's Church complex. These historic places form part of the nucleus of Charleston's French Quarter. As on many Sunday mornings over the centuries, the sound of voices singing hymns can be heard flowing out of these churches as one strolls past.

Fountain in Reflection

Reflection in a Fountain Pool, Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The subject of yesterday's twilight study 
becomes today's daylight abstraction.

Warmth for a Cool Evening

Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


The Pineapple Fountain's warm glow makes it an inviting sight
 on a cool November evening.

Squares

Boater's Sign on the Cooper River, Riverfront Park, North Charleston, SC
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The back of a square blue sign for boaters
 is made up of little green squares.
And these are further divided into smaller squares of air,
whose color is invisible to the naked eye.

Break Room

Ashley River Tower, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A break room of the outdoor sort... this open deck allows students
 at MUSC to sit, relax and enjoy some fresh air and blue skies.

A Touch of Autumn

Longitude Lane, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A little touch of autumn
 graces a narrow stone alleyway.

Anniversary Post

Deck of a Coast Guard Cutter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This week marks an anniversary for Doug's Photo Blog! For two years I have made daily posts, with an emphasis on Charleston photography, but also showing images from various travels, both recent and past.

As blogs usually do, this one has evolved over time. Originally I started the blog as a way of having some fun with photography and writing. The first year of the blog featured images accompanied by stories or "entertainments", some serious, some not so serious. My wife Becky joined in the fun as blog editor. But with my busy work schedule, I had less time to devote to writing as time went by.

This past year I have been better at promoting my commercial work by linking the blog to my travel stock photography business here in Charleston, while simultaneously riding the coat tails of Charleston's rise as a world travel destination.

Who knows what direction the blog will take next.

The daily photoblog helps me sharpen my photography skills and passions. Equally important is you, my blog friends, who take a moment of your time to visit, whether just to look or also comment. So I plan to continue the daily posting of images, with hopes of making your day and mine, a little more pleasurable.

 Thank you once again for all of your visits to Doug's Photo Blog!

Saint John's Entry

Columns and Shadows, Saint John's Lutheran Church, Charleston SC
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Afternoon sun casts gate shadows on column bases
 at Saint John's Lutheran Church. Tiled flooring beneath the portico adorns the entrance into this early 19th century church.

Intense Infusion

Branch and Reflection, Daniel Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



The warm light of autumn infuses the salt marsh 
with an intense yellow glow at high tide.

A Charleston Superhero

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





The Green Lantern

A View Through Two Pediments

Meditation Garden Pediments, Roper Saint Francis Hospital, Charleston, SC
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This view through two pediments echos a view through two archways
 in a post I made last week of Old Sheldon Church ruins.

Imprisoned?

Ravenel Bridge and Cloud, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)



A cloud passing idly by the Ravenel Bridge
appears trapped behind the bridge's cables.

 

Old Stone Sarcophagus

Stone Sarcophagus, Saint Michael's Churchyard, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Not only do old iron gates have ornamental scrolls,
 but so does this old stone sarcophagus.

King of the Night

King Street Facades at Night, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)


The shopping district along King Street is one of Charleston's premier attractions during the day. But at night the mood is transformed, for along here you will also find cafes, wine bars, and restaurants of many styles to satisfy your appetite.

Ornate Entry

Ornate Brackets, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


At the entrance to Dock Street Theatre, a row of S-shaped brackets await patrons who come to see plays or concerts. The old theatre is in the French Quarter, so called for the Huguenots who settled the area in the 18th century.

Quote of the Day

Sculpture in a Window, Charleston, SC  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



To air is human,
To glimpse beauty, divine.



(My apologies to Alexander Pope)

A Quiet Ending

Sunset on Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)


Home safely from sea, a gathering of boats watches the setting sun
 as the day quietly ends.

What Light Reveals

Cobblestone Street at Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Touched by the warm glow of early morning light,
 a tuft of grass is revealed on a cobblestone street in Charleston.