This remarkable Trident maple turned up on Bonsai Mania via facebook. It’s from the photo album of Alex Probst.
A little update (1/7/2011)
Now I know that this tree belongs to Walter Pall. I also know that it most likely was not photoshopped. My apologies to Walter.
Enhancing color
I realize that everyone’s monitor isn’t the same, but still, this looks like a case of photoshopping to enhance color, when color is the point of the photo. In this case it’s yellow that’s enhanced. You can tell by the yellowish trunk and the yellowish wooden slab that the pot rests on. The pot also has a yellow tinge, but if it were the only thing that did, you’d have to assume that that’s its natural color.
It doesn’t really need it
None of this is to say that this isn’t a remarkable tree. It clearly is, with its extraordinarily powerful well tapered trunk and near perfect, natural looking nebari (not over the top like some maple nebari, but rather flowing naturally from the soil to the lower trunk). The overall shape of the canopy is excellent too, as is the choice of the pot (it’s a temporary display pot, too small to grow the tree in for very long).
Professional photographers speak of “the golden hours” around sunrise and sundown, when the sun is low on the horizon and projecting light through the most airborne particles, thus creating golden-colored light. As the light source seems to be coming sideways, this could be an instance of when the photographer purposely took advantage of that kind of light, putting the tree against a black backdrop for drama. But it could be Photoshop too.
Thank Al,
Yeah. Hadn’t thought of that. My guess is still Photoshop. Maybe we’ll hear something from the photographer.
Kinda off topic, but I think it’s only polite to note that this Trident Maple, a true European masterpiece, is owned by the (notorious?) Walter Pall from Germany. As far as I know Alex Probst was his student for a couple of years.
He (Pall, that is) always makes his pictures in an outdoor setting, with just a plain screen and sunlight, indeed often using the abovementioned “golden hours”.
Back to topic I would say I’m pretty sure that this picture isn’t shopped. Can Mother Nature truly be this stunning? I guess she can :)
Regards,
Ferry
Thanks for filling us in Ferry. Not shopped is great. If so, I stand corrected.
Just happen to stumble across this and thought I’d chime in even though it is an older post–I believe Walter uses a reflective screen that is covered in slightly gold covered foil to provide warmer light. I’m quite sure this is not photoshopped.
Cheers,
Ben
Thanks Ben. The screen combined with late-in-the-day natural light makes sense and explains how the whole photo is so infused with gold.
Wayne,
This is the tree (Walter’s) I was referring to in a recent discussion over very stylized “Japanese-style” trees as opposed to the newer trend of “naturalized” bonsai. I know this is the longstanding argument amongst “purists” and “progressives.” But, honestly can you tell me that this tree does not look like a miniature of a tree in nature as opposed to highly groomed trees that look like they were trimmed by Edward Scissorhands. This is truly one of the best Trident maples in Bonsaidom – bar none! Thanks for the “Bark.”
I think a few are getting a little carried away with a “brand”.
This Bonsai was grown and developed in Japan and imported to Europe.
Hi Marc,
Are you guessing, or do you know the history of the tree? I do know there are lots of imported trees in Europe, which is one reason why European bonsai got off to such a good start. It is much more difficult to import in the US given onerous regulations.
Thanks Own.
Did you see the comment by Marc? Just to throw a little more into the mix.
BTW: I hear what you are saying, but I’m not so sure this trident is the best example of the natural look. I think Walter has other trees that are more representative. For example, this spruce: https://bonsaibark.com/2009/07/19/the-great-debate-part-3-more-from-walter/
Wayne,
It is not difficult to guess and easy to confirm.
From his website: Imported from Japan after 20-30 of development,referred to as raw material,
acquired in Europe in 1993.
Thanks Marc,
That’s helpful. You see that here sometimes with stock that is grown on the west coast by Japanese American growers that is purchased and then represented as one’s own with little real improvement. I’m not saying that’s what Walter did with this one. 17 years in his hands is a long time and he’s a very competent bonsai artist.