Folly Beach comes to life in Plum Elements exhibit

A high-backed dining chair in a tree, just where its owner likes it. A dog pulling his skateboarding owner down the middle of the street. A man fishing in head to toe deer camouflage.

Only on Folly Beach do such images exist. And only on Folly Beach would you just smile and say, "That's Folly!"

That's exactly what photographer Frank Melvin Braden has been doing for years and what he has captured with "Humours of Folly," a book and photographic exhibit at Plum Elements. His show, running throughout July and August, opens tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with an artist reception and book signing.

"Folly for me is one of those great places that is very interesting, it has very interesting people and interesting things going on all the time," Braden said. "Folly is that kind of off-beat place that I've always liked. This book is all the fun stuff that goes on at Folly and what makes Folly, Folly."

"What I like about Folly more than anything else, is that it's not pretentious by any means," he continued. "I don't like people that put on airs. I like Folly the way it is. You don't have to worry about impressing anyone. It's just the kind of island that is very much carefree. It's a good place to have a good time safely."

Braden's 300 page book includes approximately 280 photos of Folly, 27 of which will be on display for his exhibit. The photos range over all seasons and took two years to culminate in tonight's debut.

"The word 'humours' refers back to the bodily functions: blood, bile and all that stuff," Braden explained. "It's the elements of Folly, the blood, the bile, the air and fire. What I tried to do is go through the seasons at Folly and see what is Folly, what makes it Folly."

He says his own favorite shot is one taken on the pier.

"I'm way out on the end looking back on a foggy day; the whole island is in fog." It is one of many of both serious and fun shots that are included in his works.

"I think what I have a good eye for is capturing what is going on at that moment," Braden said. "And doing something with that moment so that when people look at it, they take a second to think about it."

"What you always want to do is evoke an emotion in people. When you do any kind of thing, hopefully it's one that makes it enjoyable to look at things. I can't play an instrument, I can't sing a lick, I can't dance, but I think I have an eye for looking at things."

With a background in the hospital business, Braden has been photographing full time for five years.

"I enjoy being able to do something creative. Photography is something I can do creatively. Hopefully we all have some artistic skill we can express ourselves with. Mine is photography."