Graydon

Well put Al.

Although I do not have as many years in this as you I can understand where you are coming from. I do not like to look at photos of trees. I prefer to see them in person. Sure, I will ogle a gallery online or flip the pages in a book or magazine but I really never "remember" a tree unless I see it with my own eyes.

I can draw a parallel to live theatre. Sure, you could watch a video of a theatrical performance but you will never get the full impact of a live performance unless you are there (same holds true to live music). The smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd does not translate to another medium at all.

Same with trees. Even a 12 mega pixel camera will never truly capture a good enough image of a tree. A persons eyes are much too complex. The subtle shadows, the ever so faint highlights that glisten like the sun off the morning dew. The smell of the tree, the feeling of the breeze as it blows past you. None of that is ever in a photo.

To this day I have seen but a few great trees in person. Perhaps one day I can make it to the west coast and take it all in.

Incidentally, I try not to look at the photos online for one reason. I want to create the trees in my mind - not copy the forms of the trees that others have created. The masters have laid the ground-plan well, and I do enjoy and reflect on the writings on form and rules. I also appreciate the information on the care and propagation. It is with this silence of my eyes that I can concentrate on what the trees are telling me.

So yes, overexposure is a real thing.

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