Mr Walter Pall has graciously agreed to critique trees posted to this area.
Initial Threads are moderated, which means once you start a thread - YOU WILL NOT see it immediately on the forum. An assessment will be made of the Tree and Photo, to ensure it meets the standards outlined below. This is purely so that Walter has a fair chance of offering an accurate judgement, and we can maintain a certain standard worthy of the Masters gaze.
Providing the Tree and Photograph reach the criteria, they will be released onto the Forum in a controlled manner, simply to spread the workload sensibly and to allow adequate response time.
Trees not acceptable will be posted in the general "Show & Tell" forum for open debate from the membership. (The moderator will try to help make future submissions acceptable)
Please only post one Tree at a time, and create a NEW THREAD (lower left of page) by putting in the title box "ATM: (Type of Tree)", together with any other information you feel relevant in the main body of text. This might be the source, years in training, approx age, height etc...and other specific comments, or questions you may have. Accompany your details with upto a maximum of three photographs of the same tree. If supplying just one, please ensure that it is the front view.
This is a multi-skill / various experience level membership. Everyone from the keen enthusiast upto the Bonsai Professional is encouraged to post what ever they think will meet the criteria. It is all about allowing people to "learn" presentation and refinement skills to attain higher standards with thier own trees. REGULAR TRADERS OF TREES SHOULD USE THIS "FREE" FEATURE IN MODERATION.
Here are some guidelines to help make your submission acceptable:
1. Clear, In focus Photograph, well lit or in natural Daylight, taken against a neutral backdrop. Tree and Pot filling the frame as best possible. Try and avoid heavy shadows. File size should be near the usual 600 pixel 75K maximum size.
2. Camera angle not too high or low. You should just be able to see the rear rim of the pot.
3. Trees in Bonsai Pots Only. No Ground shots, Growing or Training pots.
4. Trees with some degree of Maturity, perhaps in final stages of styling prior to there first showing. Tidied up, trimmed and presented as best possible.
Can be Evergreen, In leaf or Bare. (Anytime of year photos)
5. Good clean soil coverings with Moss or other prefered mediums.
6. Stands and Accents are not a necessity. (We have the Formal Display Forum for that if you prefer).
It should be remembered it is the TREE Walter wishes to critique, although GOOD PRESENTATION will be appreciated and no doubt commented on.
An excellent guide for Bonsai photography can be found here . . .
Once Walter has given his comments - (Note how the Warning sign will change)
a) Comments from other members are most welcome.
b) Please keep in mind that the
opinions and advice provided may be "brutally" honest!
c) The reasoning behind any thought processes would be helpful.
d) At all times, please show respect for EVERYONES opinions.
We have to thank bonsaial1 for suggesting this feature which is now moderated by Ian Homer.