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From clintona@ibm.net:
The objects are well modeled.  I like the light beams, though I think you may
need more samples in the media (I think the Megapov has some good improvements
on media).
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From YaelParis@operamail.com:
The concept of this image seems familiar to me ;-) (take a look at zen.jpg !)
and I must admit your skills are better than mine. maybe the books need more
work.


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From gregj56590@aol.com:
Superb.  Those tree macros are not perfect, but captures perfect essence of
bonsai.

Ever tasted bonsai beef?
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From eallen@highway1.com:
Nice. It seems a little inconsistent with the level of detail though. The trees
are highly detailed, but the some of the surrounding objects are not (like the
window frame, the books, and the table.) Very nice though.

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From tom@tomandlu.force9.co.uk:
Very nice indeed - I was hoping for a bonsai. The reflection seems too
strong, the lighting in general could be more balanced, and for some reason
I felt one tree would have worked better.

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From CHRIS_DARCY@YAHOO.COM:
Unfortunately the beauty and quality of the bonsai shows up the bench, box
walls,books and window frame. Otherwise tops marks.

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From Alain.Culos@bigfoot.com:
y up is not THE true orientation - it is only one of many.
THE true POVer shall be adaptable and use any of x, y, z in any direction
context and scale fluently without asking why such a person made it such a way
... just use your visualisation power and use different names : up is always
up,
y could be anything. It could also be that your system is a left-handed or a
right-handed system, same thing applies.
Anyway, that little chat is not going to take marks away from you. Your picture
is one of the top 10 definitely, now how much at the top I don't know yet.
A very well crafted piece of art, very good use of lighting.
You also obviously researched on the subject, and I think one can sens that in
your realisation.
A pity the outside view is not some of your modelling creations ... It would
have made it so much better.

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From jaime@ctav.es:
Very good ambient. Peaceful... Well lighted and arranged.
The only flag I can see is the scale of wood textures (a bit oversized,
perhaps).

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From albiaprime@aol.com:
Technical - quite good (if your tree generator can export 3D StudioMax files
then you can use Win3d to convert them to UDO's try it, as it cuts the render
time
from 6 hours to (15 minutes in our case) something bearable.
Artistic - very,very nice (we thought originally you had been inspired by a
visit
to the Heidleberg Bonsai museum in Germany)
Theme - there can be bonsai gardens with multiple trees, but not single solo
tree

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From mar@physics.usyd.edu.au:
This is a beautiful image! First up, the criticisms: The books at left, and the
wood textures on the window frame and wooden box could use some extra work. The
table looks fine, if a little clean and new. The trimming shears are nicely
done,
and the bonsai themselves are lovely, from a rendering point of view.
(I practice the art of bonsai myself, and from a bonsai point of view, your
trees need a fair bit of work. I can already picture how they should be pruned
and wired into new shapes to make better bonsai - but that is a credit to the
realism of your rendering rather than a criticism of your self-confessed
rudimentary bonsai skills!)
The lighting is effective and the view out the window adds that final touch
to make this a great image. I began ths round by trying to render some bonsai
myself, but this image makes me glad I went in a different direction, because
it would be very stiff competition. Very very nice.


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From file:
Lovely. I like the light coming through the window.
Notable for lighting, modelling