Leap of Faith?

Shop Window Reflection, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

Have you ever made a life changing decision based not on reason or logic, but on intuition or gut feeling... one where you threw caution to the wind, disregarded all your fears and reservations, and leapt into the unknown?

Was one of those life altering events ever one where you imagined yourself transparent and leaping into the side of a building while sporting fasionable swim wear?

Hey, me too!

Mysterious Monday - Seance

Dusk, Antebellum Mansion, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

A few years ago, I attended a seance with the purpose of trying to contact a long deceased relative of mine... my great, great, great, great uncle Wild Bill Hickok. Many legends surrounded this supposed lawman of the Wild West, including the wrestling of bears. So I wanted to ask him if it was really true he wrestled grizzly bears.

While calling upon his spirit, the seance table began to lift off the ground and slowly turn. The lights in the room dimmed, and mist began swirling around me. When I heard strange thumping sounds, my eyes grew wide with astonishment 
and my hair stood on end.

Suddenly the spirit of Wild Bill manifested itself. In a bone chilling voice, he neither confirmed nor denied the bear wrestling stories. He did however advise me against playing poker, especially sitting at a table with my back facing the door... especially in a saloon... and especially while holding a hand of aces and eights, 
the dreaded dead man's hand.

Since that night, I gave up saloons, hard liquor and gambling. Now I only drink sarsaparilla and play an occasional game of tiddlywinks. But I decided to continue the family tradition of wrestling grizzly bears, which by the way, is much more dangerous than I thought it would be.

Red Azaleas

Red Azaleas, South Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


The cover shot for this year's Festival of Houses and Gardens was made at White Point Gardens on a sunny Spring morning. The light was just right... the flowers and mansion were in shade (soft light), while the live oak branches were illuminated (backlight) by the early morning sun.

The tours began the third week of March and ended this weekend. We had a very early Spring this year (as did many parts of the US), so the usual time of full blooming was several weeks ahead of schedule.

Historic Charleston Foundation
 Ticket Brochure

Spring Evenings

Garden Gate, Two Meeting Street Inn, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


One charming aspect of Charleston is evenings in Spring. They are an ideal time to stroll the historic district and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of sweet smelling gardens.

Tomorrow I will conclude my series of Springtime in Charleston with this year's cover shot for the Historic Charleston Foundation's Festival of Houses and Gardens.

Rustic Relief

Rustic Bench, Nathaniel Russell House Garden, Charleston, SC
(Click on image for larger view)


This old iron bench may look uncomfortable to sit in, but after walking around the historic district on a warm Spring day,
you would be amazed at the relief it offers... Ahhhhh!

And now, for your weekend enjoyment,
 take a quick look at these photography links...

See an eclectic collection of images from here and there.

These photographs look like Chinese ink wash paintings.

Finally, Noel has a highly unusual approach to landscape photography.

Long Limbed Oak

Live Oak, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


White Point Gardens is home to rows of long limbed live oaks and blooming azaleas. It also frames picturesque antebellum mansions which overlook the peaceful greenspace. The gardens are one of the best spots in town to enjoy a sunny Spring afternoon.

China Rose

Yellow Lady Banksia Rose, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Spilling between balusters and over a garden wall, a Lady Banksia Rose graces this view of an antebellum mansion in historic Charleston. Considered a favorite of Southern gardens, especially the yellow variety, the ornamental vine is actually native to China. The rose was named after the wife of the English botanist
 Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820).

Colors of the Rainbow

Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


Rainbow Row in Spring is an iconic setting in Charleston. 
Many of these row houses date to the 1700s and have witnessed many ups and downs in the city's fascinating history...
 from bustling colonial port to
 the devastation of the Civil War to
 a present day world class tourist destination.

Explore Charleston

Red Crabapple Tree, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Vertical, horizontal & radial repetition of lines...
Complementary colors...
This shot of Charleston in the spring has much to keep your eyes exploring!

Nascence

Wisteria and First Scots Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The nascent blossoms of a wisteria vine dangle in front of First Scots Church, one of numerous historic places of worship in Charleston.

Lights Out

Light Switch, Doug's House, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


After six weeks of exploring the hues of the spectrum, we are ready to turn the lights out on this colorful series and move on. Starting tomorrow I will spend a week showing you Springtime in Charleston.

Cradled

Saint Philip's Church at Sunset, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)


The setting sun appears to be cradled by the Charleston skyline as it dips below the horizon.

Boneyard

Boneyard Beach at Sunrise, Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve,
 Edisto Island, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


Sunrise silhouettes submerged trees, remnants of an ancient coastal forest, at Botany Bay's boneyard beach.


I am proud to announce that this weblog has recently been accepted as a
 Cool Photoblog. Yippee! 


Here is my profile page. 
I would like to thank everyone who voted me in!!!

Cascading Color

Wisteria and Lantern, Edmondston-Alston House, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film.)


A waterfall of wisteria adorns a Spring day in Charleston.

Crafty

Detail of a Craft Booth, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


Even in the early morning, when the craft booths are empty,
there is evidence of the crafty.

Invitation at Twilight

Carriage Courtyard, Battery Carriage House Inn, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


The way the owners have landscaped and lighted the entry to their inn sure makes it look inviting, especially in the romantic, evening atmosphere.

Easter Colors

Entry Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Happy Easter from Charleston!

Blue Moods

Egyptian Door Knocker and Blue Door, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)


Today is the last bluesy post of the series. After two weeks of feeling the blues, I am moving on to the final hue in the color spectrum, violet. In the mean time, say hello to the Egyptian keeper of the gate...
Do you know the pass word?

Blue Shadows

Palm Frond Shadows, Freshfields, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)


On a bright sunny day, these indigo fingers of palm shadows reflect the blue sky onto pavement made of seashells.

For your weekend entertainment I have selected a few photography links for you to enjoy...

See a collection of fantastic street photography by a man in New York studying for his Ph.D in psychology.

Check-out this ironic take on some of the most famous photographers of our time.

Lastly, what do people do when they are bored? They invent wacky sports.

Room for Copy

Blue Shutter and Shadow, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Often times, a good stock image allows plenty of room for copywriting. For example, in this photo I left enough space in the upper right third of the frame for whatever a copywriter might want to say about Charleston and its unique charms.

But, I would probably write something silly and random,
 in the mode of a Shakespearian quote, such as...
"There is either liquor in his pate
or money in his purse when he looks so merrily."