Some of you know that I struggle to find ways to use the camera on my new iPhone 11. Yesterday when I was visiting the large greenhouse complex at Le Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil in Paris, however, I captured these shots with that camera. (FYI, “serre” is the French word for a greenhouse.) I think the issue is that I am used to shooting mostly dynamic moving subjects and I don’t find myself able to track action the way that I would like with a camera phone or make quick adjustment to my settings on the fly. The greenhouse complex was not going anywhere, so it was easy to remember I could use my phone.
The wide angle capabilities of the iPhone, bordering on fisheye, allowed me to take some cool shots as I wandered through multiple greenhouses. The tropical greenhouse, though, fogged the lens on my DSLR because of the extreme warmth and humidity, so I didn’t even bother to try with my iPhone.
The garden is located on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in the city’s 16th arrondissement, in the extreme southwest corner. It is in an interesting area, because while I was wandering about I walked past Roland Garros Stadium, where the French Open tennis championships are held and Longchamp Racecourse, where a series of well-known horse races are run.
I could not help but smile at all of the signs that I passed for the horse track, because the French word of it is “hippodrome.” Now I realize that this French word is based on some perfectly good ancient Greek words, but I can’t help but imagine a group of racing hippopotamuses, or should I say “hippopotami” if I want to be classical. After all, maybe “river horses” like to compete against each other too.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great perspectives, Mike. Racing hippos, now that would be something to see!
A quick internet search revealed that numerous cartoonists have been inspired to create whimsical illustrations on that very idea. We all need more humor (or humour) in our daily lives.
On my trip I didn’t see any green houses but was fascinated by the variety of iron work done on the balconies and gates. The gates, and the shadows they cast were ultra interesting.
My sixth floor apartment gives me a vantage point to check out the cool grill work on the facing apartments. At first glance they all look the same, but when I looked closer, I realized that each level had a variation on the pattern. I was happy to .capture the gates from that angle with the shadows. I initially composed the image when standing right in front of the gates, but I did not like the composition as much as the one in the photo I included in the posting
Nice images Mike! I have found the iPhone 11 Pro produces a very decent image and is very versatile.
You have a slightly more versatile system with the Pro model which has the telephoto lens. Some people really like having the ultrawide, which you also have, but I think I would hav preferred having the two lenses as the regular and telephoto, like on my friend’s iPhone 8 Plus.
Beautiful! Next time I visit Paris I will try to remember to visit the Jardin des Serres. I have a relative who lives on the Blvd Murat, which must not be too far from there,
Google Maps says it’s a seven-minute walk.
That is perfect. I’ve spent most of my time in the center or in areas like Montmartre and it was nice to see a different part of Paris. I think the greenhouses (les serres) are well worth the visit. The only downside when I was there was when I encountered a small group of kids literally running through one of the greenhouses as they loudly chased each other. Of course, that same structure also housed a large cage with dozens of parrots and other colorful birds, so it was already pretty loud.