berobinson82
Omono
Bonsai in nature photography contest?
Take a picture of a bonsai tree such that it looks like it is part of a landscape.
Take a picture of a bonsai tree such that it looks like it is part of a landscape.
Dallas Bonsai Garden Contest
- Thread starter Bonsai Nut
- Start date
DallasBonsai
Sapling
No offense taken, if we were doing a contest where people must go buy a HD bonsai, then the prize should certainly be worthwhile. For now, I'd like to see something simple and fun. Something involving photography maybe? We had discussed a photography contest, which could level the playing field between amateurs and bonsai masters.
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Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
I'm not saying your prize is not worthwhile, it's just is not for me. If I were to win it would be my wish that the prize would go to someone who did not win. But; you most certainly deserve credit for sponsoring this and I could not be more thankful that you have. I have always heard good things about your organization and many of those are about the people involved. Thank You again.
nathanbs
Omono
Except most already have (like 20-40 more years of experience).LOL
I mean what are the chances of a newbie beating a seasoned artist at this? In my mind, it is nil. Just saying.
The great thing about a contest is that you can gauge where you are at based on others. If you win congrats but be prepared for the bar to be raised on the next one. If you lose, look at the trees that beat you, could you have done that with a little more effort? Can you do better next time? Maybe it wasn't your tree but your presentation of the tree. Can that be improved? Its all about stepping up and stepping it up.
tmmason10
Omono
Yes, exactly the point That should be made at the progressing American bonsai thread. If not only competing against the others on this site, maybe competing with yourselves and gauging where your skills are and where you need improvement.
Last time I checked, the Internet isn't going anywhere. Any problem with a 2-3 year competition?
aidan13
Yamadori
We could have a contest thread where contestants simply put up pictures off their contest tree once a year. A group progression thread could be quite cool.
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
I think that's a good idea but for the sake of an initial contest, with the possible exception of potting the tree into a bonsai pot, should be the best artistic effort possible.
nathanbs
Omono
In addition to some of the other ideas why not do an annual e-show? Where we all individually set up a tree of our choice in a formal display with a neutral backdrop and snap a photo and have it all on display for the world to see on the internet. Entries will have to be submitted by a certain deadline and can be arranged somehow on this forum so as to look a little nicer than thumbnails and links and such. A panel can be chosen to award winners in certain categories dependent on the amount of entries. The actual award or acknowledgements can be figured out later.
berobinson82
Omono
That's a pretty stinking good idea, nathan. no bs.
aidan13
Yamadori
Anything that would get more people to post up pictures of their trees would be good, in my opinion. The more trees the merrier!
nathanbs
Omono
P.S. BS is my middle and last name initials. Nathan Blake Simmons. I used to play online poker and I would get a kick out of how many people commented on that thinking i was a self proclaimed bluffer or something.
tmmason10
Omono
Maybe the best idea yet. I really think this should be done outside of this competition, captain bnut.
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
It's a good idea but there is a problem in that so many people do not understand how to take a good picture of a bonsai. A few do but a lot of people who have posted recently have not taken the time to do it or don't know how to do it. If we go down that road we at least should be able to display at least a good picture of a bonsai. I am not so certain that a "display" would be such a good idea. Here again there is a lot of disagreement on what makes a decent display and many do not have good stands to display their trees on.
A Random User
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I agree with this...
Another thing with taking photos is quality is obviously going to be better with those
who can spend the most on equipment.
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buddhamonk
Chumono
Lets have a contest where we take pictures of our wallets and whoever has the least cash in it wins...
Whatever contest people come up with, there will always be those who complain about their disadvantage because they "can't afford it".
Whatever contest people come up with, there will always be those who complain about their disadvantage because they "can't afford it".
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
That's true, but if you enter a contest you should know what the parameters are. In the case of this contest or others like it, it is incumbent that the contestant has or acquires the ability to take and post pictures to this site, or put them in an email as an attachment. The technology, with smart phones has progressed to a point where many have a higher resolution than some high priced SLR cameras. If your smart phone can produce 6 mega pixels (most are higher than this) your smart phone can take pictures that should be as good as anything taken with a 35mm Nikon, Cannon, Pentax, or Lica.
The problem here lies in the inherit concept of I want it here and now and quickly. Consequently the idea of documenting a couple of idiots beating each other's brains out on the street photographed by a cell phone does not take you in a direction where you have learned to take a quality photo of a bonsai even though your equipment is quite capable.
You can have the best equipment in the world but if you have no idea how to take a decent picture with it you might just as well be using a 1950's era Kodak Brownie or Instamatic. Taking a good picture of a bonsai is one of the most difficult tasks you can ask of a camera, easily solved if you take the time to learn it.
You just cannot point and shoot a picture of a bonsai and have the picture turn out with acceptable results. There are sophisticated methods with lights and backgrounds or there are easy and cheap; both work, you just cannot take a picture and post it while hoping it will turn out well. It isn't that people don't have the equipment it is more an issue of ignorance of how to use it well.
Emrys
Mame
Exactly the same issue as the " Bad Material + Master = Bad Bonsai " or visa versa.
A bad photographer with a Cannon D5 mark ll I assure you will make bad photographs.
A great photographer with a point and shoot will always make a better photograph.
Same result as with any art form, not exluding Bonsai IMHO.
I like the idea of a photo contest.
nathanbs
Omono
This is all about raising the bar why sell ourselves short on not doing a formal display? Aim for the sky you might hit a mountain, aim for the mountain you may hit the ground. Just like a local show you can show without a stand and a accent but you will likely not receive the same score as someone else that did. If we do this we should do it right so that others will admire what we have done and it will be something that is looked forward to by all. I think we will be the first so we must lead by example
monza
Shohin
I think a photo contest would be a good but separate contest. I like the box store idea but I think regular non bonsai nurseries should be allowed to allow more access to material for people in all areas. The price limit should be 50- 75.00 ish. I don't think it should be limited to a certain tree.
I'm a noob and I'm ok going against a master... No need for different classes of entries, keep it simple.
I'm a noob and I'm ok going against a master... No need for different classes of entries, keep it simple.
monza
Shohin
A formal display? I'd leave that for another contest. This should be about garden variety landscape low end trees transformed into a bonsai. Simple.
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