Fine Bonsai: Art & Nature Hardcover – August 28, 2012

This book is a monster! Huge, beautiful photos that are inspiring to anyone that appreciates the art of bonsai. Features mostly world class specimens. There are a few suspect filler trees that any bonsai aficionado might question as "fine", but overall an excellent compilation of the art.

This book is a tremendous tribute to both the art of photography and bonsai art. Being somewhat familiar with both these art forms, and having previously seen some of the bonsai in the past (through photos and in real life), I must say that the chiaroscuro effects in the photography reveal aspects of the various bonsai to their great advantage. The bonsai have been selected from Japan and the USA, and some of the trees are really famous specimens that bonsai lovers would be familiar with, except that they would probably not have seen it in this light before! And some of the pages of photos are lift-outs, allowing the viewer to extend the page and enjoy the specimen trees. The book is good also for the fact that it gives ample information (size, age, origin of pot and a bit of a write up to each tree) at the back of the book, plus a bonus sample of antique chinese bonsai pots. There is also some information on the location of the nurseries/collections from where the trees have been photographed. And a very good introduction to the history of bonsai is written by Mr. Valavanis. Both Singer and Valavanis need no introductions in their respective professions, but if anyone out there who wants an introduction to the talents of these two consumate professionals, as well as an introduction to both bonsai and photography, this is an indispensable book at a very affordable price for its quality. Buy without hesitation, and breathe in the beauty of bonsai through breath-taking photography. You won't regret it.

Because of AmaZon.com, I was able to purchase this AMAZING book of JONATHAN SINGER's rare worldwide Bonsai that have never been photographed before and Jonathan Singer's photography book Botanica Magnifica, . These are the most incredible photographs I have ever seen. In the last 10 years there have been such new developments in photograpy, these photographs are the result. please give yourself the pleasure of wonder and beauty. GO on line and check them out. I was amazed at the Fast delivery, Fine Bonsai was released for publication two days after I ordered. Arrival in perfect shape....dolores, phila.,pa.

Beautiful book but it’s way too large

Beautifully photographed Bonsai. Worth owning for the reference library. The trees ranged from exquisite to a few that were good examples.

Whether you are a bonsai enthusiest or not, the beauty of this book will amaze you. The photography is at the highest level. The bonsai themselves are a justified artform. No one has ever captured their beauty like this book. Buy it and be amazed.

Although the Bonsai examples were certainly world quality, the photography (lighting, composition and color rendition)left much to be desired. The printing was inappropriately matt, the lighting was completely unacceptable and made evenwhat was visible hard to discern. The closeup angle robbed the bonsai of their inherent grace, scale and presence.My disappointment was multiplied by my past experiences that encouraged me to expect much more when I deal with The Smithsonian.The one good thing I can say about the book is that it was returnable, although I have yet to receive my credit. Thanks for being concerned enough to ask.

The Trees shown in the Book are fantastic and show real talent in the ancient art of Bonsai. A few in the local Bonsai Club have also purchased the book and are raving about it. jeanette

This is one of the nicest Bonsai books I have ever bought, the photography and the layout is second to none, it is also the biggest book I have ever bought it weighs about 12.5 pounds and is 16 inches x 12 inches. And there lies the drawback, the books pages are so heavy that the internal part of the book came away from the outer board cover. I had the book for only 3 weeks and hadn’t read it fully, when the fault became apparent. The day after I found the fault I contacted a bookbinder and he explained why this fault had happened due to the weight of the internal part of the book, and also explained that it could be mended. It is with the Bookbinder at the moment and the cost to mend it is £75.00 he also stated that even if I sent the book back to Amazon for a new one, the same would happen again, as it is the way the book has been made. This book is so nice, and this is why I have gone to the expense of having it fixed, not fully rebinded, as this would have run into hundreds of pounds, but the bookbinder assured me that the repair he is making will be bombproof.

I am not a gardener but I love nature. Fine Bonsai brings the beauty of great, old trees in miniature into the privacy of one's dwelling, just as the actual specimens would bring the forest to one's garden. This is a photographic book, and the photographer has captured the character of each subject as for a collection of portraits. Extremely beautiful, and well done. The accompanying text is welcome, just enough for the amateur, and opens the door for further exploration.Upon receiving it I was surprised at the extra large format. While it is grand and generous, I find it cumbersome in the lap and at too close a viewing distance there. (It would be best laid on a table or put on a lectern...) Therefore I refrain from giving all five stars, and wonder: Will there be a smaller, soft-cover edition coming out in the future?

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