Shem Creek Shrimp Boats

Shrimp Boats docked at Shem Creek, Mt Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok


A pair of painted prows proudly pose for pictures.

From the Archives - A Fountain in Krakow

Fountain near Market Square, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok


A fountain near Krakow's Market Square (Rynek Glowny) attracts more than just tourists. Krakow is perhaps Europe's best kept secret. We loved our visit so much we'd like to go back one day. Among many of its attractions, Krakow boasts the largest medieval town square in Europe, which seems to emanate endless European charm at every turn. And for a photographers, it offers wonderful vistas and vignettes to capture your eye. Oh yes, there's excellent coffee to be had as well.

Where In the World Was Your Favorite Cup of Coffee?

Espresso and Hot Dog Stand, Portland, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


Seeing this colorful but curious Espresso and Hot Dog stand in Portland got me thinking about coffee (but not with popcorn, eek !), which is a favorite topic of mine, which then got me wondering, where in the world did I have my favorite cup of coffee? I'd have to answer that it was in Venice, at the Caffe' del Doge near the Realto. It may have been because we were in La Serenissima after all, or because it was late, and we were exhausted from walking all day, and cold, and thirsty. Or, it may have been because it was simply the most delicious cup of heaven I ever tasted. Ooh la la! Either way, it was fantastic! So, this got me wondering, where in the world did you have your favorite cup of coffee?

From the Archives - Fantastical Venice

Gondola docks near the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok

 Venice, especially at night, seems like a dream world, a magical world of color and light and imagination. One feels transported to another time, one that is out of time with one's own, yet vaguely familiar. It's little wonder that so many writers, painters and composers have found inspiration in fantastical Venice.

A Little Misty, A Little Mystery

Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

A creeping fog veils Colonial Lake in the early hours of dawn. This could easily be the setting for an Alfred Hitchcock film or an Edgar Allen Poe mystery.

Market Hall Reflection

Market Hall, Charleston SC  © Doug Hickok


A colorful bookstore window display on the corner of Market Street features coffee table books about some of Charleston's finest attractions, antebellum architecture and courtyard gardens, plus a reflection of old Market Hall, built in the neoclassical style of a Roman temple.

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.