Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Spice It Up


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



When you have a bland meal, adding a little spice can liven it up. Perhaps that goes for photography too. I woke early one morning to shoot Charleston's iconic Pineapple Fountain at sunrise. But the light was less than appetizing, resulting in a rather bland image.

I kept the image in my files for a few years, but went back to it recently to reexamine its potential. I decided to mix in a few spices to add flavor... some deep blues and purples in the shadows, some warm yellows and oranges in the highlights.

This spiced-up version of the image may not be to everyone's taste,
 but at least it's not as savorless as the original.

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27 comments:

  1. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:26 AM

    Lovely exposure !

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  2. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 30, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    Brilliant picture, I don't know if you put some effect here but it's splendid and I almost can hear the sound of the water!
    Hugs
    Léia

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  3. Photo AttractionJanuary 30, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    I like it!
    But that fountain looks like a giant pineapple ;)

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  4. JoeJanuary 30, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    Now if you can't add spices and flavor to a pineapple fountain what can you spice up. I like the subject and the image Doug.

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  5. yzJanuary 30, 2013 at 4:52 AM

    before i've seen the title i though 'pineapple' :)

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  6. Roland TheysJanuary 30, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    Beautifully composed and beautiful photo! a nice day to you Doug

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  7. London CallerJanuary 30, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    Sorry my internet is down so I cannot comment at the moment.
    No kidding (yakking!). :o(

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    It's a nice flow. I want to practice slow shutter.

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  9. BirdmanJanuary 30, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    I like this recipe.

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  10. FocalesJanuary 30, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    Original and beautiful architecture. Nicely composed.

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  11. Adrian ParkJanuary 30, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    Doing exactly this - cooling the shadows, warming the highlights - is one of my favourite techniques, particularly for shots taken in the golden hours. Try it with close-up studies of rust or rusty objects - works a treat if you're not wedded to the supposed truthfulness of what the camera records!

    Great result.

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  12. brattcatJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    quite a pleasing transformation, i'd say.

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  13. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    That's it Doug, we can always do SOMETHING to an image. Thanks for sharing it!

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  14. Olivier RaultJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Belle fontaine et surtout belle lumière, j'adore cette photo, bravo !

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  15. TonyJanuary 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    Very effective long exposure and great colours

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  16. A.BarlowJanuary 30, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Yep, a pineapple is certainly is! Very nice shot of it sir.

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  17. john4jackJanuary 30, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    wonderful tones. very nicely done

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  18. ArndJanuary 30, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    Close to kitsch but yet a gorgeous eye-catcher. Love your pastel color scheme.

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  19. Beau MitchellJanuary 31, 2013 at 2:59 AM

    Wow, I love it! You were there at a lovely time of the day to capture those brilliant colours.

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  20. georgeJanuary 31, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Best pineapple curry I've tasted - or seen.

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  21. JulianaJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    adorable!
    xoxo, Juliana | PJ’ Happies :) | PJ’ Ecoproject

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  22. ChristopherJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    Wow, nicely done Doug--your edits have really created a beautiful and pleasing image

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  23. franzFebruary 1, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    no arguing with the effectiveness of "spices", doug, not here and not in the kitchen ... ;-)
    i love this fountains that you show so often, and here particularly the milky water and the really extraordinary colours ...

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  24. London CallerFebruary 2, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    I'm back!
    Did you miss me?
    Or my silly yak?

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  25. rianFebruary 3, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    spiced up! i like it.. :D nice catch!

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  26. fabrizioFebruary 4, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    fantastic result

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  27. RemusFebruary 9, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    This is a brilliant composition with excellent technical execution.

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