Indigo Bench

Detail of a Blue Wood Bench, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


Sometimes when I look at something for a long time, I begin to imagine things. When I look at the patterns in this weathered bench, I see towels hanging on a towel rack, a clown, an astronaut floating in space, and the UCLA marching band.
What do you see?

The Inn at Night

Rounded Windows, Two Meeting Street Inn, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Staying in one of Charleston's old inns is a wonderful way to lodge in the historic district. Two Meeting Street Inn is one of the most sought after Bed and Breakfasts in town. Located in a prime spot overlooking White Point Gardens on the High Battery, it offers all the charm and romance one would expect to find in our enchanting city. Anyone in the mood for some tea and pastries... or a cocktail while reposing on the porch?

Curving Stairway

Curving Stairway, City Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This inviting stairway leads up to the entry of Charleston's City Hall. In 1801 the architect Gabriel Manigault introduced the Adamesque style to the city with this handsomely designed building on the corner of Meeting and Broad.

The inauguration of the Spoleto Festival USA is held in front of these steps each year in late May.

True Blue

Blue Steps, Society Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


This could be a scene from the Mediterranean...
 Spain, Greece or Morocco...
but it is, in fact, Charleston.
The wear and tear of tropical heat & humidity
add texture and character to this true blue view.

Patchy

Weathered Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok


What used to be a new brightly polished truck
 has evolved into a dulled geography of
patchy old blues.

And now for something completely different...
check out this photography link
to the work of an
invisible man.

Have a terrific weekend!

Imbued with Blue

Boat Dock, Allatoona Lake, near Lebanon, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


When evening approaches and the sun dips below shadowy hills, 
almost everything is imbued with the hue of blue...
boat ramp, rocks and water,
even the recalcitrant red of rusting metal.

Ascending Patios

Glass Patios, The Ascent, Covington, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok


This close-up of glass patios ascending up the frame gives an indication of the quirkiness of this luxury condominium's cutting edge architectural design. Views from the patios overlook Cincinnati and the rolling hills of the Ohio River Valley.

Cool Breeze

Window Display, Surf Shop, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


When I was a bit younger than I am today, and living in Southern California, I had a roommate who nicknamed me "Cool Breeze" because of my calm and quite nature.  But now that I am much older, I am more likely to be called "Doddering Geezer".

Old Theatre

Main Entry and Balcony, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


This image of the old Dock Street Theatre was made several years ago. The theatre has since been refurbished. Although it lies near the center of the French Quarter, in the early years of the Charlestowne colony it overlooked a tidal creek, hence the name Dock Street. Over time the creek was filled in, and the land used to expand the old town limits.

Night Alley

Longitude Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


This alley is estimated to be the oldest street in its original state in Charleston. It dates back to the early years when old Charlestowne was a small walled city, one of only four in colonial North America.

Today also introduces a new color for the week (in a small amount). During the previous four weeks, we have had a color theme for each week, starting first with red. We are gradually working our way through the spectrum, with three more weeks to go.

I apologize again for not keeping up with blogging. I am still working on assignment, trying to meet deadlines.

Have a good Sunday!

Getting Its Dew

Hosta Leaf, Old Farm House Garden, Lewisburg, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


By being planted next to a pond, in a humid climate, this green hosta is getting its due... by accumulating dew overnight, it absorbs the morning moisture through its large leaves, thus satisfying its inveterate thirst for water.

Due to the deep grooves running the length of the leaves, moisture is duly channeled and gathered for optimum consumption.

Contemplation

Ferns and Bench, Thuya Gardens, Mount Desert Island, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This solitary bench placed next to a lush growth of ferns seems the perfect spot for quiet contemplation... maybe on this week's celebration of green and the first week of spring.

Something else for you to contemplate is the photography link below...

When walking along the street, have you ever had the sudden urge to bust a ballet move, perhaps leaping into the air and performing a grand jete´ ? Then you will appreciate this set of intriguing images.

Travel Companion

Bear Photog, at a rest stop, somewhere in Kentucky  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This little bear with a camera, my protege, traveled with us last summer on several of our road trips. He kept asking me to take his picture. So I obliged, and made this quick portrait of him while he posed on the dashboard.

Mint Chocolate Chip?

Quoins, Stucco and Shutter, Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This visual snippet of the corner of a 19th century commercial building on Broad Street shows a few architectural elements typically found in Charleston. Many structures are constructed of locally made brick, often in a Flemish bond pattern, smoothed over with stucco.

In this image, stucco quoins, made to look like quarried stones,  and a stucco wall, combine with a wooden shutter and an iron clasp to form a vignette reminiscent of the color of mint juleps or mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Out Late

Marquee Lights, Riviera Theater, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


At the end of the day, colorful lights on the Riviera Theater glow in the blue of twilight. Although you will not find any vampires or werewolves in this twilight, you will find me. Over the next several weeks, I will be up early and out late photographing (or in front of the computer processing images) on assignment for the Charleston Visitor's Bureau. They want to replenish and update their image library, so I will be out hunting new material for them.

I apologize for my sporadic or delinquent blogging. I will try to catch up when I can. But don't go away. I will keep on posting new pictures for you to enjoy each day.

Thank you for your patience!

Old Terminal

Old Port Passenger Terminal, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


This view of the old passenger terminal at the port shows rusty metal siding that has weathered over the years. Below the pedestrian catwalk is the grass of the salt marsh in summer green. Due to the booming cruise ship business in Charleston, this building will come down when the new cruise ship passenger terminal begins construction.

 

Schoodic

Lobster Boats, near Prospect Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


Lobster boats repose
beneath a blue Maine sky,
 after a long day of toil,
safely harbored till dawn
 calls them to sea
again.

Thus begins a new week,
 a new color theme
for you and I.

 

Sanctuary

Sanctuary Sign, Angel Oak, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


We end this yellow week with wild birds gathering on a sign. After the wild week we've had, it's nice to have the sanctuary of the weekend ahead of us... maybe we need a "Hickok Sanctuary" sign in front of our home.

Tubing

Rows of River Tubes, Whitewater River, near Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


Have you ever been tubing? When it is summer time, and the living is easy, and the fish are jumping, and the cotton is high, somewhere there is a quiet river for your tubing pleasure. Jump in a tube, guide it carefully into the river, and float on the cool, soothing waters, move lazily with the calming currents, as though you had not a worry in the world. It is the perfect way to cool off on a sunny summer day.

If you don't have a lazy river near you (or if it's still too darn cold) here are a few photography links to explore indoors.

Odd and quirky sums up these images from Poland.

See the amazing undersea work of Wayne Levin, especially his fish schools series.

Finally, we present the incredible minimalist images of Matthias Heiderich.

Memories of Summers

Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)


This week I have presented warm pictures for your enjoyment, mostly from summers past. This picture I remember well, because I made it in Budapest on one of the hottest days of that year. The hot sun heats up the warm colors on the facade of this historic house on Castle Hill... lots of yellow and orange, with a little splash of green and blue.

One day soon, summer will come again.