Forests Near or Far View

sauce

I am curious to hear thoughts regarding a forest/group planted in a near view versus a far view. I've only seen one forest that was planted in a far view and I liked it very much, yet the near view is used almost 100% of the time. Is there a reason? Is it because it is an easier illusion to capture? What are your thoughts?

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soonami

Do you mean "far view" as smaller trees in front and larger trees in the back? I haven't seen too many of these either, but I think that is because most people want to showcase their biggest trees by placing them in front. Also I think the near view is a better optical illusion, it makes the forest seem even bigger rather than something in the distance.

To me alludes to imagery of a towering forest that seems to be falling over onto me.

paul11390

sauce

Well this is a subject that I know nothing about, so I’ll be watching this very close to learn about the two methods. I hope someone will publish pictures or sketches explaining. Thanks for asking the question.

Paul

sauce

Yes exactly. If the forest was done correctly could not the far view look equally as large and deep? As I said I have only seen this done once so I am assuming there is a reason? The one I saw was very impressive, wish I could link to it but I either didn't save it or I misplaced it.

phithu

A forest is planted with the viewing distance in mind but sometime it is possible to have a good result from far away or not. I put a drawing of the planning of a forest in an other post http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=15567 (post n° 6). If you use two points of viewing you can get this effect.

Philippe

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sauce

Hi Paul, I can't draw worth beans and the only pic I had of a far view forest has been lost. Simply put a far view as Soonami stated has the smaller trees toward the front and larger towards the rear of the pot or slab giving the viewer an impression of a distant forest, whereas the near view is reversed which makes the forest appear much closer. I hope you can visualize what I am trying to explain. Philippe, I saw your sketch and found it to be interesting and an asset when I plant my first forest. I've been reading a lot about forest grouping and haven't seen your method. Thanks, it looks like it will make things simpler at planting time.

mgodbee

I thought a FAR view was really a setting made to look far away... What I mean is for instance, you will maybe have a big rock with several tiny trees on it, giving the illusion of distance. I have also seen vastly oversized pots used to give the illusion of space... I have never seen a composition with the largest trees in the back... I have seen 1 or 2 good ones with 1 smaller tree up front or so... I am a little lost why having small trees up front would give the illusion of distance...

darrellw

I think the idea is that if you are in the forest, individual trees close to you will look large. If you are looking at the forest from a distance, the edges of the forest will have smaller trees between you and the center (assuming it hasn't been logged up to the edge!).

paul11390