While I don't have any pictures from the Downton Abbey exhibit, the crowds were a bit frightening and the staff at the Biltmore Estates was a bit rude, I did manage to take some pictures in the greenhouse located just behind the mansion (or American-style castle, depending on your take).
To make the picture-taking experience even more exciting, I left my DSLR in the car (not on purpose, mind you) and relied on both my old Iphone 4s and new LG Nexus (5? Whatever the newest model is!) for a rather interesting picture-taking experience. The following is what resulted…
I began my picture-taking experience with my iphone 4s. It's still my go-to phone and thus camera when I'm out and about. I used the Blux photo app to try and capture images with depth. After a 3 hour drive up to Asheville though, my phone was a bit tired and trying really hard to play dead. I kept shooting though…
I'm pretty sure this was the coolest shot I got with my iphone, and I took A LOT of photos with it. I kind of dig the pastel colors. What kind of plant is that? Anyone know?
This kind of looks like one of those 80s out-of-focus, dreamy photos.
And finally we get to the orchids – the main reason to go to the greenhouse this time of year…
At about this point, as we were waiting on my mother-in-law to finish taking photos with her fancy iphone 6, my iphone died. Grudgingly I pulled out my nexus unwilling to give up on my picture-taking endeavor and also unable to stay still and patiently wait (like everyone else in the group). Small talk? Psh! Who needs it?!
From the first shot, I was in love. The colors were so bright and vivid compared to my iphone 4s. The flowers stood out giving the image the depth I had been looking for in my iphone. Clearly there must be a mistake, I thought! The images will most likely be blurry when I move them to my computer.
Regardless of my negative thoughts, I kept shooting. You can take the camera away from the photographer, but you can't take the photographer away from the camera. :)
Maybe if I shoot from a higher angle?
Do I see symmetry? ;)
All in all, it was a fantastic experience (minus the 6+ hours spent in the car). I learned a lot about my new phone and how cameras have improved in the past few years. Unfortunately, I don't have access to my mother-in-law's iphone 6 images, but I think that would be a fun comparison as well. Cell phones, for me, are as much about picture-taking as they are about phone-ing and texting. And, of course, travel is always a good excuse to take pictures!
Have you had the chance to visit the Biltmore Estate Greenhouse before? What do you think about the iphone 4s vs. LG nexus comparison?
