Formal photoshoot ends in disaster...

Treebeard

...so much of a disaster that I went and done and swore at length.

I don't have many trees that I consider good enough to use in a formal display. I had been patiently waiting and working on this one and I figured today was the day that it got its first quality photo (I've posted pics of it before but this was to be the definitive 'first').

Two weekends ago I got a base board all prepared. 12 coats of danish oil all told, and sanded and sanded and sanded with 600 w&d.

Last weekend I prepared a back board. This was my old blue backdrop stretched and stapled over an artist's canvas frame. I did this because I was fed up with the wind catching the loosely hanging screen I normally use...

Next I prepared the accents. A nice little creeping thyme that I picked up at the Bath show earlier this year, and a couple of walsall pots that I have had for a couple of years.

Today I put together a little stand for the tree and assembled the picture. Just a couple of hours worth of work on these.

(You can tell I'm building up to something can't you )

All went very well. Everything went together nicely, it all looked like it could look really good with a little tweaking and then another photo and then a bit more tweaking.

The first two photos are the results. I was quite pleased with them, but I wanted to try out a few more configurations...

...then disaster struck.

What seemed like a force 10 gale blew in from nowhere and blew the backdrop over onto the whole setup.

Stand broken. Two major branches snapped off on the tree. Accent planting scattered on the floor. A big dirty scrape in the backdrop. Scratched base board.

That's when the language started , and the neighbours were out in their gardens too

So here are the two best photos, and a shot of the damaged tree. The damaged photo is blurry because the focus was still set from the earlier pics, and I was too mad to notice it.

'#%&£ (*?@"£ */=+# !!!!

Regards,

Chris.

Attached Images

	DSC01745.jpg (61.2 KB, 163 views)
	DSC01747.jpg (62.5 KB, 167 views)
	DSC01749.jpg (63.6 KB, 177 views)

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David Yedwab

Well, it was cool while it lasted. Hope the damage is recoverable and cheers for the effort.

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David Yedwab

splinterhands

Chris I'm sorry to hear about your luck. However, after looking over your gallery of trees, I doubt you will have trouble making magic with this tree as well. You have some of the most inspiring trees I have ever seen. Thanks for the photos!

John

BonsaiGreenhorn

Sorry to hear that Chris. I hope you figure something out without the branches, best of luck.

-Evan

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Treebeard

David, John, Evan, thanks.

The tree has been set back three years. Luckily there is a new shoot growing near to where the breakages occured, it will be able to fill the gap.

Regards,

Chris.

__________________
"Do not be hasty, that is my motto"
-JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers.
-----------------------------------
christopherguise.co.uk

Aaron_K

Ah Chris that is terrible news sir!

I can empathise totally. I lost count of the amount of times I've done things with the utmost care and attention, only for other people or outside forces to come into the equation and ruin everything.

The otherday I was spray painting outside, being very careful - nice even strokes, no runs etc, etc. Then a gust of wind came from nowhere and blew a tonne of dust and crap all over it.

I think a word most appropriate to the situation and a new one for our American cousins to learn.... "Bollocks"

All the best,

Aaron

pootsie

Bollocks indeed!
Sorry about the bum luck Chris.
I'm sure in your capable hands the tree will come out looking the better in the end, even if it takes some time.

At least for today, you have very nice pictures. IMHO, #2 is the nicer. I just think the lower accent pot works better with the overall feeling. Good job, and keep your chin up.

pootsie
p.s. I've known the word "bollocks" ever since the sex pistols taught me!

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fkokkas

I've never reallized that hurricanes passed over Maidenhead England!
Tough luck Chris!
I'm sorry about the disaster that hit your tree but as John said I'm absolutely sure you can fix everything and present us the "patient" in even better shape than it was before in a blink of an eye!

Your friend
Fanis

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Lesley

Chris,
Your photo displays are superb! I know you where aggravated but don't give it up because you are on to something great. BTW, I like your website updates they're looking quite professional also. The trees will recover!

Last month, my husband was coating our deck with an oil spray to increase its water repellancy. I covered the trees near the deck with a black plastic bag because I thought it would protect them from the spray. Not even 1 hour later, I removed the bag and to my horror the apexes of six trees were crisped, unbelievable to me at the time but it was high noon and the sun was hotter than I thought even though it was cool outside. I had to chop all of them but luckily there are shoots taking over and time will heal them as it will your tree.

Chin up and start over, it's worth it!

PS I blamed it on him, said it was his fault for spraying the stupid deck!
Lesley

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Ladybug