Celebrity

Wooden Star Door, Budapest, Hungary
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia Slide Film)



The character of the doors up on Budapest's Castle Hill is diverse.
This one is, quite literally, the star of the show.

Finding Calm

Pathway, Meditation Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The pathway to serenity winds beneath
 the arching limbs of ancient oaks.

Beauty in the Details

Balustrade, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Finding patterns to photograph helps sharpen my eye for details.
 This image of repeating shapes on a balustrade near the Battery
 is a fine example. Mixing in early morning light to enhance
the warm hues adds the final touch.

Patience

Alligator, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Thanks to the stealthiness of this alligator,
not a wave nor ripple disturbs the water
 surrounding this Lowcountry predator.

Flowers for a Wintery Monday

Ironwork in Spring, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This portrait of a wrought iron flower was taken during
spring with rosy-hued blooms as a backdrop.

Star Gate

Star Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In this case, star gate does not allude to
exploits in deep space, but rather a beautifully
symmetrical motif on a wrought iron gate near the battery.

Happy Valentine's Day

Tunnel of Azaleas, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



While this azalea pathway is not exactly the tunnel of love,
it displays plenty of pinks and reds that echo
 the romantic sentiments of the day.

Majestic

Drayton Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



One of the architectural treasures of the Lowcountry
colonial era, Drayton Hall, is framed by majestic oaks
 that are as venerable as the Palladian mansion itself.

A Post Card from Charleston

East Battery at Dawn, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A view of Charleston's best known landmark, the Battery,
shows antebellum mansions, palmetto trees and the placid waters
 of Charleston Harbor.

Piling On

Trailside Cairn, Boulder, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains,
 Boulder has a natural resource that seems unlimited...
an abundance of stone. It's an ideal situation
 for people who enjoy building cairns along the numerous hiking
 trails that network the city. This trailside landmark
 appears to win the trophy for tallest rock pile in town.

Rocky Night

Longitude Lane, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Longitude Lane is one of Charleston's oldest streets,
dating back to the Colonial era. Light from street lamps accentuates
 its rocky texture and adds a sense of mystery
as to where it might lead.

End of the Journey

Remains of a Tree on a Rocky Shore, Acadia National Park, Maine
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



The remains of an old tree find a resting spot
 on a rocky shore along the Maine coast.
Its long journey from seed to bones
 can only be imagined.

Form and Function

Ravenel Bridge, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The simple beauty of the Ravenel Bridge design
 is clearly seen from this perspective in Mt. Pleasant.
It was built to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes
 and ship collisions.

Springing

Dawn, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Signs that spring is around the corner are popping up in my yard.
Early blooms on Daffodils and Forsythia have sprung forth.
And scenes like this one will soon be springing upon us!

Easy Recipe

Spanish Moss, Middleton Place Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A splash of  backlighting, a pinch of breeze, and a generous helping of hues
 combine deliciously in this composition from Middleton Place Gardens.

Waiting

Old Single House, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Aged structures throughout Charleston await the day
 they can be restored to their former beauty. In the meantime,
the city usually protects them from demolition
 as long as they are within the historic district.

Curves and Angles

East Battery Mansion, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Contrasting porticos are the trademark
 of this antebellum mansion on Charleston's Battery.

Sea Breeze at Dawn

Sea Oats and Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly Beach, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



An ocean breeze gives a slight stir to sea oats
 growing along the dunes at Folly Beach.
The abandoned Morris Island Lighthouse
 stands quietly amid the stillness of dawn.



 

Misty Morning - Intuition

Iron Chair, Meditation Garden, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In photographing the Charleston area, I attempt to capture
 a sense of place in my images, depicting a subject's
 mood, color or quality of light. The process is difficult to explain
 in words. I rely on my intuition much of the time,
 though it is far from perfect.

If you are curious how the mind of a master photographer
 works, I think you'll enjoy the daily photo blog of
Joel Meyerowitz at Once More Around the World.

Persevering

Pinyon Pine, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Even though this old pine has lost many of its needles to time,
it still clings to a hillside overlooking the Great Sand Dunes of San Luis Valley.

Beautiful Anytime

White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)


No matter the season, who could resist
 a sunny Carolina day in the park?

Sunscreen

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Plenty of shade trees line the road
 entering Boone Hall Plantation, which are
especially useful on scorching summer afternoons.

Light Morning Traffic

Early Morning Traffic, Ravenel Bridge, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



To capture dawn traffic on the Ravenel, I woke early,
 made the hike to the top of the bridge,
and waited for first light to peek over the horizon.

Rest in Peace

Oak and Pond, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



How appropriate that a place where souls rest eternally
is surrounded with peace and beauty.

Dessert Anyone?

Dock Street Theatre, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



It has been said the Dock Street Theatre looks like it is made of chocolate,
which if true would make it my favorite spot in Charleston.
Yum!

Hawk's Eye View

Mountain Forest, near Hot Springs, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A hawk's eye view over ridge and valley woodlands reveals
  how profuse life is in the Appalachian Mountains.

Flaming Ginkgo

Golden Ginkgo Tree, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


A ginkgo tree blazes with golden hues
 along a picket fence in the historic district.

Door Design

Letter Slot, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A well placed letter slot is the focal point
 on a door that echos the Swiss flag.

Oaken Roof

Garden Path and Live Oaks, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



To walk along this garden path is
 to walk beneath a roof made of oak limbs.

Scenic Byway

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



The entrance to No. 5 can be through the front door 
or around the side through the garden gate, 
which in this case, is the scenic route.

Classical Influence

Main Entry, Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A simple yet elegant main entry welcomes visitors
 to this neoclassical mansion built in the Adamesque style.

Storm Residue

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



Mount Mitchell retains a powdering of snow
 after the passing of a late autumn storm.

Misty Monday - Fog Walking

Dog Walking, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



A man and his faithful companion stretch their legs
 along the beach on a misty morning. 

Fairy Tale

Spanish Moss, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



If Rapunzel's tresses were Spanish Moss,
this might be what they would look like.

Pretty in Green

Courtyard Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Home owners in the historic district garnish their piazza
 with a profusion of greenery, infusing life into their courtyard garden.

Forest Boardwalk

Boardwalk Trail to Ship Harbor, Acadia National Park, Maine
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In Acadia National Park, a boardwalk trail passes over
 the exposed root system of a coastal forest in order
 to protect this delicate ecosystem from further erosion.

Still Morning

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



Dense sea fog settles along the coast as shrimp boats
 harbor on the still waters of Shem Creek.

Fresh Powder

Row of Winter Trees, near Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



With chilly gusts of wind and snow,
Old Man Winter coated this row of trees with fresh powder.

Convergence of Elements

Marsh Grass at High Tide, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



High tide at sundown provided the elements I needed to isolate
 the color and texture of marsh grass along the Ashley River.
The sailboat in the background was a bonus!

Misty Monday - Meditation

Doorways in the Mist, Meditation Garden, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The Meditation Garden is a place of beauty and peace,
 especially amid the descending hush of a misty morning.



 

Melancholy Hues

Tombstones, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



I sometimes find that of all the places in Charleston,
 it is cemeteries where I most often get the blues.

Convergence

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



A convergence of two Cherry trees graces a porch entry.



 

Double Scroll

Double Scroll Gate, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The beauty of Charleston ironwork always fascinates me.
Wherever I find a colorful background,
I try to make a pleasing composition,
such as these two scrolls on a French Quarter gate.

Journey's End

Wave Breaking Beneath the Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A wave ends its long voyage across the sea
 by making a splash under the Folly Beach fishing pier.

Vintage Charleston

Arched Red Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A well aged, attractive entry in the historic district
 invites the eye and the imagination.

The Other Way

Night Bike, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Velvia slide film.)



Finding street parking for your car in a small 
and populous city like Charleston can be a challenge.
But, there is another way.

Misty Monday - The Night

Colonial Lake on a Foggy Night, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view. Film photography)



The world at night inspires visions of the mysterious.

Hushed World

Hiking Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



To hike to the spectacular seaside cliffs of Great Head,
 you first walk through the hushed world of a birch wood.

Order Out of Chaos

Boneyard Beach, Botany Bay, Edisto Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A chaos of roots, trunks and limbs is composed
 in a semblance of order with a click of the shutter.



 

The Old Theatre

Window Light, Old Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)



Cheerful light warms the pavement
 in front of the old Dock Street Theatre.