King of the Night

King Street Facades at Night, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film.)


The shopping district along King Street is one of Charleston's premier attractions during the day. But at night the mood is transformed, for along here you will also find cafes, wine bars, and restaurants of many styles to satisfy your appetite.

Ornate Entry

Ornate Brackets, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


At the entrance to Dock Street Theatre, a row of S-shaped brackets await patrons who come to see plays or concerts. The old theatre is in the French Quarter, so called for the Huguenots who settled the area in the 18th century.

Quote of the Day

Sculpture in a Window, Charleston, SC  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



To air is human,
To glimpse beauty, divine.



(My apologies to Alexander Pope)

A Quiet Ending

Sunset on Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)


Home safely from sea, a gathering of boats watches the setting sun
 as the day quietly ends.

What Light Reveals

Cobblestone Street at Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Touched by the warm glow of early morning light,
 a tuft of grass is revealed on a cobblestone street in Charleston.

The Wandering Souls of Charleston

Hibernian Hall Gate and Lantern, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


It is said there are ghosts in Charleston, restless souls wandering in a nebulous in between world. There are some people who have actually seen them, and certain places are known for sightings.

You can take a ghost tour in the evening, or wander the lamp lit streets at night on your own, if you dare. But tonight there are sure to be ghosts, ghouls and goblins on the streets and cobblestoned alleyways of Old Charleston,
 for it is Halloween.

Rutledge House Inn

Balcony Ironwork, Rutledge House Inn, Charleston, SC
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


The golden hue of sunset bathes balcony ironwork on the Rutledge House Inn. John Rutledge headed the drafting committee for the US Constitution (1763), and later signed the document with his fellow founding fathers. In 1791 George Washington came to Charleston, and ate breakfast here with Mrs. Elisabeth Rutledge. Today the house is an inn overlooking Broad Street
 in the heart of the historic district.

Pier with a View

Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Dawn breaks over the Atlantic Ocean, where one has an ideal view from the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier. The pier, located on Folly Beach, the self proclaimed "Edge of America", is the second longest pier on the east coast.

This image is the cover shot for Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission's Landmark Pier brochure.

The Ruins of Sheldon Church

Old Sheldon Church Ruins, Yemassee, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)



About an hour drive south of Charleston are the ruins of Old Sheldon Church. It was built during the colonial era (1753) in Greek Revival style and served the plantations of Prince William Parish. It was burnt by the British during the American Revolution (1779), and rebuilt soon after the war only to feel the devastating effects of General Sherman's March through South Carolina during the American Civil War (1865).

These days the ruins are much more peaceful. They are a popular venue for outdoor weddings, picnics, and a favorite subject of photographers.

Awareness II

Custom House, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)


The Custom House, aglow with pink, 
honors National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Behind the Gate

Ornate Gate, St. Michael's Church, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


In Charleston, behind gates, adventure awaits.

Skimmers

Black Skimmers, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


The Atlantic Ocean and a variety beaches are a short drive from Charleston.
 In this image a flock of Black Skimmers follows a line of waves 
on Sullivan's Island.

Charleston Gems

Cherub Fountain and Garden, Charleston, SC 
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)


Charleston has much to enjoy...
world class restaurants, resorts and inns,
an Old World ambiance of narrow cobblestone streets
 and 18th century buildings,
significant American history,
proximity to the ocean...
and the gardens, a favorite of mine,
are lush green gems that flourish throughout the city.


 

Across the Harbor

Shrimp Boats and Gull, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Across the harbor from Charleston is Shem Creek, in the town of Mt. Pleasant. Here is the perfect place at day's end to watch an assortment of boats coming and going, as well as gulls, egrets and pelicans. Afterwards, take in one of the many restaurants that line the docks.
As you might imagine, fresh fish is the specialty.

Number One in the World

Waterfront Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Charleston keeps moving up the best hits chart, this time to the very top spot... Conde Nast Traveler magazine just voted Charleston the number one travel destination in the world. That is remarkable, considering all the amazing places there are to see around the globe (as seen in your blogs,
 from around your homes!)

Charleston was noted by readers of the magazine for its "overall ambiance, culture and sites, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and shopping".

For me, I am fortunate to have played a tiny part in this by suppling Charleston's travel industry with pretty but practical images for its marketing over the past 11 years through my website, Hue and Eye Photography and Design. You can see recent samples down the right hand column of my blog
 (yes, that sound you heard was me tooting my horn).

Nature's Wisdom

Autumn Colors after an Evening Thunderstorm, Cades Cove,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



After the storm... rejuvenating light.

Skyway and the Moon

Autumn Mountain Side, Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)


Brilliant midday sunlight illuminates an autumn mountainside along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43 mile scenic highway in western North Carolina. It is a dazzling sight in October. Even the moon, from 286,000 miles away, peeks above the horizon to glimpse the earthly spectacle!

New Occupant

Abandoned Stone Building, near Celo, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Where people once lived, Mother Natured moved in.

Moooooving Experience

Cow in Autumn, Near Burnsville, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Even bovines enjoy experiencing fall colors.

Blue Mountain Mood

Evergreens in Fog, near Newfound Gap,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Blue mists rise through mountain coves
 enveloping silent evergreens.


Speaking of blue... an image I shot for the Charleston Visitor's Bureau 
is featured in the JetBlue to Charleston Promo.