Willow leaf ficus. Got an experts input but wanted more opinions. Thanks!

Gatorade

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Had bonsai expert Mike Lane today at my local bonsai club. Hes a great speaker and learned a lot, if you have the chance to go see him don't pass it up. I took my best tree for some input and his feedback suprised me in a good way Just because I never would have thought this tree has a potential better front.

He did like the tree which is great considering he might have grown it, it came from wigerts nursery. However he did not like the branch coming out of the center of the tree Shown in 2nd picture. Then he turned the tree and bent that branch back and after another quick study he said “that’s your front”. And I have to admit there Is something there. You see a lot more movement in the trunk and I can wire that branch back giving it a nice full canopy.

but..there’s something about the base from the first front I just really like. but i am new so it’s hard for me to know how the tree will change and grow over time. So I thought maybe I can get a few more opinions. What do you think is the better front?
 

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Gatorade

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what the hell! Lol. Wow wasn’t expecting an opinion for a possible 3rd front. This makes me even more confused though. The subjectiveness of bonsai makes it complicated when your trying to learn. But I guess that’s art. Even though Mike was saying he’s not an artist and works more by a formula he has come up with over lots of time and experience. I wonder what’s the better approach.Thanks for your input though. I guess now if anyone’s else has an opinion here is another option to add to the list. 3 possible fronts now. I didn’t even take a pictures of the 4th side so you can’t pick it lol.
 
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amcoffeegirl

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Congratulations on spending time with Mike Lane. I have seen his work through FB and I love it. Ultimately it’s your tree and your choices that matter. Since he was able to see the tree in person then he may be correct.
I do like what @moke presented though.
 

Mellow Mullet

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I also think that the low branch should go. As mentioned above, the whole thing could use a little wire and a some movement added to the arrow straight branches. It is a nice tree and I like the third front best.
 
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