I am always receiving Emails or PMs asking about the background for my trees. I have to smile, since it is a nothing more than a painted 30" x 40" canvas which I did about 8 years ago.

I lean the canvas against my display bench in my Tree house. I lay down on the Living room rug, and shoot my trees on a piece of sliced tree trunk. Of course, I have to be feeling OK and that my Sciatica isn't kicking up too much of a fuss for this 80 year old frame, but most of the time, I am feeling OK, and the trees do get photographed.

I prefer to shoot my pictures on a cloudy day, my camera is a Fuji FinepixS5100 thru-the lens.

I've attached two pictures. a before taking the picture and later during the process.!

Here are two examples of the finished cropped pictures

We need to get you a higher bench Carl

Your method works well it would seem as I enjoy your images.

Thanks Tom:
I always get a chuckle when asked how I do my Bonsai pictures. I think these photos help keep me in good shape!!!

Eighty, huh? You might like my dad's definition of "old age:" however old he is at any given moment, plus 20 years.

He just hit 80 himself this past spring, so by his definition, old age begins at 100!

(Sorry, Tom, I know this is a rabbit trail; but I thought Carl -- and others -- would enjoy it.)

Carl nice backdrop, very nice. Considering your tender years, you rock, gettin down there for your art. Fitter than this old geezer, 20 years your junior. Now where is that Gym subscription?

Thank you Guys:
I must admit, I really do not feel old. I work out every day! One day on the treadmill and the next with weights and exercise and weights. But to keep this thread on track, it is important to feel good and keeping a photo record of my trees for good or ill keeps my mind sharp. I intend to take care of my trees until I am a hundred! Positive thinking!! Positive thinking!!Positive thinking!!Positive thinking!!Positive thinking!!Positive thinking!!Positive thinking!!

i agree with tom, you need a higher banch lol. im 38 and i tell my wife that my knees are not as good as they are, got to delete this tread before she sees it! lol.

eric

clrosner wrote:... to keep this thread on track, it is important to feel good and keeping a photo record of my trees for good or ill keeps my mind sharp. I intend to take care of my trees until I am a hundred!...[/b]

My daughter wants me around and taking care of my trees at least that long. But you're right, Carl: we do need to keep this thread on track.

I don't yet have a "usual" photo setup at this house, tho the deck usually offers good possibilities. Of course, with winter coming ...

I hope Dustin Mann won't mind, but he had sent me a bunch of photos, which I cropped and played around with to make them a little more artistic (to the best of my ability). I ended up with Paint Shop Pro (a long story) after using Paint Shop for the last six or eight years, and every once in a while they send me a demo idea on the new program. The last one was removing the background.

Here is my first attempt using that program.