Dec 4 2011

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

Youtube offers up an abundance of bonsai clips. Some are short some are amazing and some are just pure pants!!

Yesterday I saw both ends of the scale. The sublime has to be this exciting new Bonsai Youtube channel with top notch editing and visual effects. I have watched all of Concept99’s recent clips and was was impressed with the quality of production. Yesterday he released a trailer for what’s to come in 2012. After you have watched his trailer, try watching some of his fast forward clips.

and now for the ridiculous …….

I really thought long and hard before adding this. I despise bullying and I would hate to be thought of as picking on someone, but this guy….!!!!

Here we have someone who has a very limited knowledge of bonsai sharing his thoughts on Youtube. Not the first and won’t be the last but, the difference here is his very poor attitude to constructive help and his willingness to slaughter well respected folk in the bonsai community. Oh, and he’s racist, which means the gloves are off! I hate the thought of him being encouraged by the extra hits on his channel so make sure you hit the dislike button to draw attention to his poor advice. I have refrained from joining the list of those who have felt compelled to tell him he’s an idiot, but feel free to express yourself as you see fit. I found out about this tube on the lively IBC post about him.

Plenty of other videos on his Bonsai Comedy Channel if you feel the need. Enjoy….

Nov 30 2011

Virtual Bonsai

I have been asked by a few people about virtual bonsai. I like to use photoshop to try different pots on my trees, add foliage or remove a branch. I Did an article for the club website a few years ago about how I did this. For anyone who uses Photoshop already, this won’t interest you. However, if you are new to the software, it should help. The screen shots are from an older version of Photoshop than I use now but the basic layout is still the same. I have reproduced this article below

Creating Virtual Bonsai

Virtual Bonsai is fancy title for changing or creating bonsai images with computer software. This article will hopefully help the uninitiated get involved with this wonderful way of making decisions with your bonsai without having to lift a pair of Branch Cutters.

Dan Barton was one of the first to start using computer software for projecting his ideas for a trees future. Several articles were published in the UK Bonsai Magazine. (Issues 43 –45.) My own introduction to virtuals was on the Internet Bonsai Club Gallery in 2000. I was amazed with the virtual results created from some of the trees I posted to Gallery. I was instantly hooked and set out to learn how to master this very helpful tool.

Getting started

Computer

The most obvious requirement is a computer. Nothing too fancy though, most home computers are quite adequate. Any computer currently on the market will more than suffice.

Software

Now you need the software programme that will allow you to alter the Bonsai images. There are lots of these on the market. Most PC’s come with Microsoft Paint, which is a basic programme and will do most things you require it to do and the beauty of it is that you probably already have it. I personally use Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements a smaller and cheaper version without some of the frills. Photoshop is a proven leader in the field and will do everything you need, but don’t take my word for it, try a few programmes out. You will find lots of free demo versions with computer magazines. When you find one you like, stick with it.

Getting the bonsai into the computer?

Scanners

A scanner is a great way to get your hard copy photograph into the computer. I personally scan all my Bonsai Photos and keep them on Disk for future use.

Digital Camera

A digital Camera is the quickest and easiest way to get a bonsai image into the computer. It is an expensive outlay but you will save on getting all those unwanted photos developed. The main benefit is that you can snap the tree in the garden and then pop it straight into the computer and work on it. No waiting for the photos to come back from the Chemist.

Internet

Another way to get bonsai photos to play with is to download them from a website or Gallery. These won’t be your trees but you will learn the same lessons as you would with your own. Why not go to the IBC Gallery and get some photos. When you have played with them you can put them back on the Gallery and see what everyone thinks. A great learning experience.

The following are the main ways you can use computer software to assist with the decision making and styling of Bonsai.

Pot selection

We all have trees with which we struggle to find a perfect pot. You think you have the right one but a year later you are looking for a replacement. Now you can put your tree into as many pots as you like and compare them before making a decision on which pot to buy. You can also share the images with others to see if they agree with your choice, they rarely do!

Nov 27 2011

Juniper Cascade reworking

Michael came over to my place yesterday to finish off some work we were doing to his cascade Juniper. This tree had been neglected for a few years and a few branches were weak and one had died due to a strimmer incident!

This is it before any work.

The main task to complete was to get the branch structure sorted. There where a few poor branches that needed attention. The tip of the cascade was very weak and straight and this was removed and replaced by the branch above. I also wanted to compact the apex and bring it over the base of the tree more. No fine wiring was carried out. We where not looking to create a finished image. The continued recovery of the health of the tree was more important.

Michael’s not new to bonsai and was keen for his own ideas and views to discussed. This became a great tree to talk through. In many place branches require back budding and in a few other spots we need extension growth. This is the tree after our work.

A shari startiung at the base can be taken the length of the trunk connecting with a few other deadwood areas.

Depending on health and if a suitable pot can be found, it may be repotted into a more suitable pot next year. Here is a pot virtual.

and with foliage added. Perhaps a tad heavy but you get the idea.

Before, after and virtual all together.

Nov 19 2011

Another virtual, same tree!

Peter, in the last post suggested a tilt to the left to change the angle. It means hiding part of the rock under the soil. What do you think?

Before Tilt

Put think video clip together this afternoon as well. Sorry about the Japanese Music, but I breech no copyrights this way 🙂

Nov 18 2011

Following on…..

from my last post, at the suggestion of Mr Snart, I have altered the virtual of the Trident again. I have extended the pot to the right giving more negative space. I have also extended the foliage to that side.

The original Virtual for comparison.

and the original.

Nov 18 2011

Pot Virtual

Had a quick 20 minutes last night and tried a pot virtual for the Root Over Rock Trident.

This is the tree a few weeks ago. It’s current pot isn’t to my personal taste.

One of the first things I thought about when I first saw the tree sitting on a bench at Willowbog was what pot it should be in. I realised then that I would probably buy it 🙂

I wanted to see what it would be like with the rock incorporated within a pot, not over the edge. It’s hard to imagine without actually trying it. I was worried that the bulk of the rock to the left and then the mass of foliage all sitting to the right, might not balance. I liked the idea of a simpler oval. I have a folder of pots on my computer that I use for virtuals. This was the closest I could find to fit my taste. Colour not quite right but not bad either.

Seeing it now, I think I’m happier that including the rock within the pot works.

Sep 6 2011

Blackthorn Pot Virtuals

A few years back I used virtuals a lot to plan ahead with my trees. I even made this guide for the club website.

By far the best use is to assist with pot selection. It’s even more fun when it’s not your tree 🙂 As a regular user of online bonsai Forums, I like to do the odd virtual. Today Dave on the European Bonsai Forum was asking about pot options for his lovely Blackthorn. Must acquire one of these soon. This is the original Image.

I took out the clutter with Photoshop before I started to play with pots.

It was an interesting task to find a suitable pot for this tree. It’s slanting style was going to be hard to get a convincing match. I don’t claim to be good at picking pots for trees, and this process of creating virtuals is a great way to push myself to find what works.

My first thoughts were to put it on a slab or shell. These were my first virtuals.

I liked these but wanted to give Dave a few other ones to help decide what works and what doesn’t. Next, I tried a Rectangle.

and a coloured glaze.

and a Walsall Ceramic oval.

Not a great option either. My next selections were drums. I quite like this first one.

For the last one I opted to change the potting angle by 15 degrees to a more upright position as a different option.

Hopefully Dave found it useful. As usual, I’m not sure I found a good match either. I’d love to hear what pot you would suggest.

Sep 4 2011

Cotoneaster Pot Virtuals

Following on from my last post, I have done a few quick pot virtuals. Having neglected this tree in terms of styling and design for years, it’s about time I did all I can to improve it. I could just sell it and be done, but, being one of my first trees, I just can’t do it!

Anyway, here are a few virtuals. I have also added a little foliage to fill out the image slightly.

I did these 2 with shallower ovals, as per Peter’s comment suggestion on the other post. Both improve the overall image.

However I think the shape of this pot suits the tree better. I suppose personal taste comes into this. I even added a few extra berries 🙂