Viewing bonsai in the right light

One of the benefits of viewing bonsai in natural light is that the light changes throughout the day. When the light is direct, you might catch dramatic shadows that highlight select details. When the light is filtered or indirect, trees can take on a glow that can bring out the color of the foliage or the bark on deciduous trees.

We were lucky to see bonsai in direct sunlight Saturday morning at this year’s Pacific Bonsai Expo. The light moved from one tree to another until the sun rose to a height the left the show in indirect light for the remainder of the day.

Fortunately, a number of visitors – and photographers – took advantage of the morning light and enjoyed dramatic views of these trees.

Cryptomeria – Best in Show

Coast Douglas fir by Scot Elser – Best XL conifer

Chinese elm by Craig Thompson

Black pine

Cork oak by Michael Roberts
Photo by Aaron Kupferman

White pine by Doug Bradley & Linda Breeden

Trident maple by Eric Schrader

Sierra juniper from the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
Photo by Aaron Kupferman

Kashima Japanese maple by Paul & Dodie Newman

Eastern white cedar by Mark Arpag

For a very different view of the bonsai on display at the 2024 Expo, check out 3Dbonsai.com, a website created by Aaron Kupferman. Aaron scanned the trees on display and created 3D renderings that let you view trees from above, from below, from the sides, and from any other view you can think of. You can zoom in and out and rotate the trees in space with a mouse (at the computer) or by pinching (on a mobile device).

Here’s an example featuring Mark’s Eastern white cedar.

Eastern white cedar – front

Back

Studying scans of the trees can provide good perspective that you can’t always get in person – the view from above, for example, the view of the back of the tree, or a clear idea of the branch structure.

You can check out sample scans for free and view all of the trees on display for $20. Learn more at 3Dbonsai.com.