Angel Hair Fashionista

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA  © Doug Hickok


A statue in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery proudly points to her fabulous coiffure of Spanish moss. 

The Dancing Fish Net

Crosby's Seafood, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

A fish net dangling in the air, becomes a dancer swaying in the breeze. It may not be the tarantella, but it's a fine jig nonetheless.

The Visitor in Velvet

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


One day in autumn, a few years back, as I steadied my camera to make a photograph of this old shed and fence row, an antlered visitor quietly appeared in the frame from the woods. He was so well camouflaged that I didn't notice him at first. And as soon as I pressed the shutter, the visitor vanished just as quietly back into the woods, as though the moment had never happened. But it wasn't my imagination, because the proof was in the emulsion.

Bridge Wednesday - Tower of Power

Ravenel Bridge, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This twilight image shows one of the powerful towers that suspends the Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River in Charleston. The bridge is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere, and is designed to withstand both strong hurricanes and earthquakes, and the demented driving habits of some local denizens. Furthermore, a splendid pedestrian/biking trail parallels the span, providing lovely views of Charleston Harbor and its numerous semi-tropical icebergs.

Our Winter Wonderland?

Tidal Marsh, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok

 The russet hues of winter suffuse our Lowcountry tidelands. We don't usually have snow, but we see a lot of this along the coast.

Too Many Birds On The Wire

Market St., Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Propagating pigeon populations present palpable power pole problems.
Pshaw!

Dining Room Window

Dining Room, Vendue Range, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Condensation forms on a dining room window in the humid air of early morning.

Charleston's Old Cemetery Ironwork

Old Cemetery Ironwork, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


When ambling around the historic district of Charleston, you're certain to find beautiful ironwork at almost every turn. This is especially true of the old churchyards, where there is a treasure trove of ornate iron fences and gates to discover. This one is among the headstones of Saint John's Lutheran Church on Archdale Street.

Sunrise on the Battery

East Battery Mansions, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A row of antebellum mansions perch along the East Battery, facing the light of a new day in Charleston.

Piazza Reflection

Window Reflection, Orange St., Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The balustrade and column of a piazza (porch) is reflected in this window from a Charleston single house across the street.

Another Parking Garage to Contemplate

 Parking Garage Stairwell, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Here is a detail from another parking garage in Charleston. This one poses no metaphysically challenging questions, as did the previous blog entry. Or does it? You may well ask, "Where do the steps lead?" And that's a good question to contemplate. Where do the steps lead? Metaphorically speaking, we can only suppose where our steps might lead us. Only time will tell us the answer.


Until then, here is some cool photography to think about...

A Picture That Poses Too Many Questions

Archdale St. Parking Garage, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A pattern of rectangular lights and multiple railings atop a parking garage make for an interesting arrangement of shapes and lines. And look, there are no cars to spoil the image either! What? No cars in a parking garage? What does it mean? Is it purely coincidental, or does it presage something deeper and more profound? If there are no cars in a parking garage, does that also mean there are no people driving them? And if there are no people driving them, does that also mean there are no people? And if there are no people, does that also mean I don't exist? And if I don't exist, then I never made this picture? Nor wrote this blog? Hmm. I'll need time to think about this one. But wait! If I don't exist, then I can't think. On second thought, maybe it's better that I don't think. Argh, this is getting way too existential for me!


Location note: This photo was made on the 5th and top floor of the Archdale St. parking garage. That's why there's so much sky. And probably why there's no cars too. Who wants to park on the top floor when they can park on the bottom floor. Anyway, the view is nice.

Reflection of Palmetto Trees

Pond, Kiawah Island, SC  © Doug Hickok

A row of palmetto trees is reflected in a golf course pond on Kiawah Island resort. One word of advice though. If you slice your Titleist into the water, don't go fishing for it. There could be alligators lurking in the shadows!

Impression of a Sunrise II

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Using a quick downward camera movement and saturated colors, a sunrise on Charleston Harbor becomes an impressionistic rendering, and a foray into experimental photography.

Impression of a Sunrise I

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Using a long, sweeping motion, I panned my camera across the reflection of a sunrise on Charleston Harbor, creating an abstract image of subtle light and color. But only after lots of tries did I make an image I was happy with. One of the beauties of digital photography... you can shoot, and shoot, and shoot, making experimentation affordable.

From the Archives - Time Heals

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington  © Doug Hickok


Made from Velvia slide film, this image was shot about five summers ago. Even then, after 25 years from the day Mount St. Helens erupted and ravaged the surrounding mountains and valleys, the land showed signs of recovering. Areas of forest blowdown grew masses of wildflowers. Scars from mud flows slowly healed. And a lone tree was determined to pioneer a new beginning. Life is a persistent force. And time heals.

From the Archives - Eye in the Sky

Union Terminal Ceiling, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


The art deco style of Cincinnati's Union Terminal train station offers fascinating designs to gaze upon. This is a photograph of the geometric pattern on the terminal ceiling, which is directly over the heads of the one million visitors who walk beneath it every year. The terminal has been in use since the 1930's, but was converted into a museum in 1990. Nevertheless, it's still used today as an Amtrak stop where you can board a train to Chicago or Washington, DC. And the sensation that you're being watched as you pass below the "eye" is simply unadulterated paranoia, even though there are hundreds, no, thousands of hidden security cameras everywhere you look. And the dark suited man standing next to you is listening to every word you think. And he knows your favorite color. And where you live. And, and, and...


 

3 for Thursday - Ravenna, Italy

Street Lamps, Ravenna, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Door Knocker, Ravenna, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Doorway, Ravenna, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Seen above are a trio of images from Ravenna, the former capital of the Western Roman Empire, and home for several years of romantic poet Lord Byron, who worked here on his masterpiece, the epic poem Don Juan.

From the Archives - The Blue Nun of Jasna Gora

Monastery of Jasna Gora, Poland  © Doug Hickok


The 14th century monastery of Jasna Gora shelters Poland's most sacred icon, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. It also contains many arched passageways that create settings for nicely framed photographs. In this image, a blue clothed nun walked past just as I happened to press the camera shutter. I never saw her face, and to this day I wonder who she was. Where was she from? What kind of life did she live? And most importantly, I wonder who her favorite football club was?

From the Archives - If Life Was Like A Gondola

Blue Gondola, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok


If life was like a gondola, it would be simple and stylish, with artistry in the details.

If life was like a gondola, it would glide along smoothly and serenely, with sweet serenading songs to sooth you.

If life was like a gondola, there would be unmatched beauty all around, with a kaleidoscope of colors to astonish you!

If life was like a gondola, you could dock at a cafe along the Grand Canal, and enjoy a sunset while sipping creamy cappuccinos, and savoring succulent chocolates. (Yum. No, wait, that's a double yum!)

That would be the life.