South of Broad

Gate and Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A beautiful decorative gate contrasts with a rustic brick wall that hosts soft mosses and ferns. Beyond the gate is a Georgian style house that dates from the 18th century. It exemplifies an old city charm often found in the area called South of Broad, where some of Charleston's earliest neighborhoods remain. 

Revisiting

Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  
© Doug Hickok. All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)




Occasionally I like to revisit "old friends", such as Crabtree Falls, 
high in the lush folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 
This old friend is a cool, refreshing spot away from the madding crowd, 
in a thickly wooded ravine where tranquil water blows cool moist breezes. 
In essence, it is a natural air conditioner, perfect for hot summer relief.

Beached

Old Tree Trunk, Botany Bay Plantation, Edisto Island SC 
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Unlike the long smooth beaches of South Carolina's resorts, the 
sea island beach at Botany Bay is wild and chaotic. It is strewn with the remains of an old maritime forest. The relentless forces of the sea whittle away at the forest's edge. Trees topple onto the sand where they lie beached and bleached by sun and salt.

Broad Street Blues

Broad Street at Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok. All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)



A look down Broad Street shows a variety of architectural styles indicative of Charleston's long history, from the colonial era to the 19th century. The blues in the shadows reflect the sky's color temperature on a cloudless morning... 
infused with the sway of Miles Davis notes running through my head.

Anthropomorphism?

Electrical Box, Maritime Center, Charleston, SC  © Doug  Hickok. All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)




People have excelled over the millennia at projecting human characteristics on to non-human objects. Very often the comparisons require genuine suspension of disbelief or at least a stretch of the imagination. A case in point is this electrical box at a Charleston marina which has anthropomorphic qualities, 
looking a bit like a fantastical face... or not.

The Colors of Folly

Palmetto Tree and Mural, Folly Beach, SC  Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The town of Folly Beach is one of my favorite places to photograph color. 
At the beach, sunrise or sunset offers beautiful warm colors. 
But in town, it is possible to find a kaleidoscope of colors. 
I try to frame my images tightly in the camera and explore combinations of hues, both natural and man made.

Indirectly Speaking

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




When telling a story, whether its fiction writing or photography, 
it may be effective to show a subject indirectly, 
letting the viewer's imagination complete the picture.

Fallen Timber

Fallen Timber, Little Hunter's Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Click on image for larger view)



Fallen timber stretches across a jumble of rock along the coast of Maine. 
The beach here is quintessential Maine, wild and rugged.

Core of the French Quarter

French Quarter Churches, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



In the center of Charleston's Historic District stands a tandem of churches
that form the core of the French Quarter. Seen here, from left to right,
are the Tuscan style Saint Philip's Anglican Church, its parish house,
and the Gothic style French Huguenot Church. The early settlement
of Charleston was open to an array of faiths, making it unique among
the original colonies for its religious tolerance.

Balance

Sunrise, Atlantic Ocean, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for large view. Velvia slide film.)



Morning on Folly Beach finds the sun
balanced upon the sea.

Flowers Runneth Over

Flower Boxes, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Every year this house on Meeting Street displays lush,
overflowing, flower boxes. Combined with the ornate ironwork,
the large shuttered windows and the warm colors,
it exemplifies the beauty and charm regularly seen along
Charleston streets.

Past Glory

Red Mountain, near Ouray, Colorado  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Red Mountain is named for the color of the iron ore exposed on its slopes.
It's peak is framed by the remains of a mining operation which dates from the
late 1800's, when this part of Colorado was one of the richest sources of
precious minerals in the world.

Up Into the Light

Steps, Fort Moultre, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Beneath the 19th century defenses of Fort Moultrie
is a network of dimly lit tunnels. When following the maze
of twists and turns you wonder how long it will be until you
step out of the darkness and up into the light.

Rainbow at Dawn

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



Dawn light brings out the lovely color scheme of Charleston's Rainbow Row.

Misty Monday - Two Trees

Two Trees, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Two conifers stand in contrast to the misty ridges
of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Night Stroll

Saint Michael's Church at Night, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Framed by a pair of gas lanterns, the steeple of Saint Michael's Church glows like a candle on a peaceful summer evening. Whether ambling through the historic district after dinner at one of Charleston's fabulous restaurants, or just out for a romantic night stroll, this is just one of the charming scenes you are sure to see.

Play and Work

Morning Surfers, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Two surfers stroll along the beach ready to play in the waves,
 while in the distance a shrimp boat trolls the sea for its daily catch.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

Line of Bicycles, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A fun way to see Charleston is on a bicycle. There are several
 places around town to rent them and explore the city's narrow
 streets and alleyways. For some reason, a catchy Queen tune
 keeps running through my brain...

Shaker Minimalism

Bedroom, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Simple but functional was the ethos of the 19th century Shaker life style.
This guiding principle was demonstrated perfectly in the design and construction
of their furniture, the influence of which is seen today in the minimalist approach to creating modern furniture.

Famous Quotes

Window and Lamp Shadow, near Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



I came,
I saw,
I snapped.

Fountain of Youth

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



Waterfront Park is a great place to watch a sunrise.
And, if you dare to splash and wade in the cool fountain waters,
 you just may remember a forgotten moment from your youth.

Narrow Passage

Stolls Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



At one end, Stolls Alley is a narrow footpath bordered by
 tall brick walls. But here it opens a little
 to reveal a driveway at the other end, just wide enough for
residents to steer their cars toward colonial era homes.

To the Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Acadia National Park, Maine
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



At Acadia National Park, a short trail leads to this beautiful
 vantage point looking west to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
 and the setting sun.

Before the Bustle

Ravenel Bridge at Dawn, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



A quiet moment at dawn reveals the Ravenel Bridge
 and the placid waters of Charleston Harbor.
Later in the day both will bustle with car and boat traffic...
plus a few dolphins for good measure.

Right Light

Painted Brick, Gas Station near Ravenel, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



A painted pattern of color and a bit of blue sky transforms
 an ordinary building into an eye catching image.
I spotted this while driving and felt compelled to turn around 
to grab the shot while the light was right.

Throwback Thursday - Colonial Charleston

Pink House on Chalmers Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This cobblestoned street from the French Quarter would appear
to belong to Charleston's Colonial era, like a scene you would
 see stepping from the Doctor's Tardis.

Heavy Metal

Door and Wall, Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A heavy metal door opened against a bright yellow wall
 makes a graphic image at Fort Moultrie.

Built in 1809, this fort was one of four that defended Charleston Harbor,
the most famous of which was Fort Sumter...
where the American Civil War began.

Porch Perspective

Curving Porch, Sottile House, College of Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



From the curving Victorian porch of the Sottile House,
 a lovely view can be had of the College of Charleston campus.
 Much of the campus in this area is landscaped like an arboretum,
 featuring both native and introduced garden specimens.




 

Still Providing

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



A cluster of shrimp boats lines Shem Creek.
 Although fewer boats line the creek
 than in previous years, shrimpers still strive
to provide fresh seafood for our local restaurants.

Backlit

Curving Scroll, Saint Philip's Churchyard Gate, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Backlighting illuminates a walkway behind this ornate gate
 at Saint Philip's churchyard.