BUDDY LAUER PHOTOGRAPHY

Early May 2018, I visited Longwood Gardens. Among the things I wanted to photograph were the exotic Japanese trees. Although I went at a time when not many people would be visiting, I found it difficult to break out my tripod to capture their Hinoki False Cypress. The viewing corridor was just too narrow. None-the-less, I shot this handheld. The background was awful, certainly not an image I would ever want to print or even talk about. I ended up cutting the entire tree out of its ugly background and replacing it with this monochrome (black) background. It was a lot of work, but I believe it was worth it. The black background makes this image to pop.

The shot you are viewing is actually the backside of the tree. These exotic trees are rotated periodically to promote even growth. This specimen has been cultivated since 1930.

This print was created from an image made in May 2018 at Longwood Gardens. I have just now in December 2022 decided to post it.

This Chinese Juniper, on display at the Longwood Gardens, is on loan from the Kennett Collection. The image was cut from its unflattering white stipple background then replaced with a black one to enhance the impact and colors of this magnificent specimen. Training of this exotic tree began in 1963. When one considers that these trees live and are cultivated for more than 250-years, this one might be considered a youngster.

This print was created from an image made in December 2018 at Longwood Gardens.

Early May 2018, I visited Longwood Gardens. Among the things I wanted to photograph were the exotic Japanese trees. Although I went at a time when not many people would be visiting, I found it difficult to break out my tripod to capture exotic trees. The viewing corridor was just too narrow. None-the-less, I shot this handheld. The background was awful, certainly not an image I would ever want to print or even display. I ended up cutting the entire tree out of its ugly background and replacing it with this monochrome (black) background. It was a lot of work, but I believe it was worth it. The black background makes this image pop.

This print was created from an image made in May 2018 at Longwood Gardens.