Arboretum Virtualis | X
Life Sculpted
This is a Japanese maple, specifically a red Japanese maple and I saw it as more than a tree. I saw this one as a work of three-dimensional art. An installation that was years in the making.
Japanese maples are beautiful with all of their leaves but I was mostly drawn to this one without its summer crown. Mainly, it was the beauty of its grotesquely twisted trunk and branches but it was also the umbrella shape of its branches.
Photographed very similarly to “Otherworldly”; same lighting equipment setup and similar lighting and exposure settings, I passed this tree several times in daytime before figuring out the best way to shoot it.
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A very unique Shot! Love it!
Thank you, Pat. I really wanted to shoot a Japanese maple with a not so typical appearance.
Lovely way to shoot it, and the BW composition makes the rough edges stand out more. Different to what most of us are used to. A little jarring, but different is good.
Yes, it definitely has that rough, tough unrefined look that is unconventional of a tree portrait. I really took a big liking to this tree.
Indeed a long way in the making, shot in a most artistic and pro way, I love it, the shape, the light, the story..very good.
Thank you so much, Paula. Shooting this tree was like holding a mirror to my life; seeing it clumsy and unpopular but still quite respectable.
Of course, most people’s lives are like the appearance of this tree, and can relate as many wear social masks to conceal the ways that they remain unpolished.
scary looking 🙂
Untidy. Unrefined.
I like that I can only imagine the trees’ thick branches then ends the trees with a cool hairstyle.
Yes, it reminds me of a head of frizzy hair too.
Nicely done. I used to have 2 of these at a former address and can vouch for how beautiful (and messy) they are.
Indeed, Japanese maples require a fir bit of attention when used as ornamental trees. It doesn’t take much for them to grow unsightly. When well managed, they certainly add tremendous aesthetic benefit to a landscape or architecture.
I agree with you in that Japanese maples often are pieces of art. The way you have lit this tree really brings out its inner beauty, one can really feel the way it stretches and wiggle its way from the trunk. Beautifully captured, Allan.
Very much appreciated, Otto.
I love the twisted branches. Nice light and shadows too.
I had always wanted to light a twisted tree like this. This was a lot of fun.
Oh wow Allan, this one was meant to shine in that wonderful tangle of superb contrasts.
Thank you, Patti.
wow, what a wonderful dark mood!!
Thank you, I really wanted to present something different a moody with this one.