Why should a tree bow to the viewer?

[MMJNICE]

I see professional photography of trees taken from the middle point of the tree, not above facing down. Perhaps I wasn't clear that you should be working your tree from that angle. If you're working from above, you might be making mistakes for the overall image from the middle point of the tree. I personally don't like trees that either lean too much forward or too much backwards. A little nuance goes a long way here and really depends on the size of the tree how much you need to angle to present the image of forwards lean.

There are lots of shows that need to raise the level of the tables, it was a point of discussion at the winter silhouette show that the tables are much too low, as most exhibitors build the trees and displays to be seen at eye level.

Honestly I wouldn't use the Columbus show as a benchmark for excellence or how to present your trees. Just saying....

Hahaha I knew you would chime in about Columbus ,,I knew it!

 

[coh]

Honestly, I don't buy the we evolved from arboreals theory, sorry.

I just think that simply, the tree looks more aesthetically pleasing if its leaning toward the viewer.
Its not complicated, it just looks better. Kinda like someone facing you with open arms seems more welcoming and attractive than someone with their back to you.

So which is it? We've heard that the effect of leaning the apex forward makes a tree look bigger (but no one can seem to prove it other than claiming "foreshortening!"), and we've heard that it's "more aesthetically pleasing" and "it just looks better". None of these are strong or convincing arguments. Basically, answering "why does forward lean make a tree look better?" with "It just looks better"

I’ve seen some pretty good trees in pretty decent detail. I volunteer at the museum. The trees there, particularly the Japanese trees, mostly have some sort of forward lean. Even the smaller ones.

In working on those I have found the ones that use this technique to be a bit more engaging and balanced to the viewer. I believe the forward bow brings the viewer into the tree and helps balance out the image.

Might be personal taste. I hardly revere traditional bonsai. The majority of my trees are anything but, but I do try to use techniques that work. This one mostly does

I've been to all but one of the National Exhibitions and also visited the National Arboretum when we lived near DC, so I've seen my share of good trees as well. I would argue that those really good trees (whether Japanese or not) have many qualities that make them special. The forward lean, while present in many, may not be an important factor but if it's present in the majority of those trees then how does one really compare and evaluate or isolate that impact?

I mean, I'm not saying that it doesn't work or contribute to the image, I'm just saying that the explanations are far from convincing.

 

[coh]

Why does someone facing toward you with open arms look better? Because it's a welcoming gesture.

Some people look better facing away though!

 

[Gabler]

Basically, answering "why does forward lean make a tree look better?" with "It just looks better"

This ^^^

 

[Gabler]

Some people look better facing away though!