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“Crownfire”
Description:
The famous laceleaf Japanese maple at the Portland Japanese Garden is known by many names: the “National Geographic Tree,” the “Tree of Life,” the “Famous Maple,” or simply “The Tree.” Planted in 1968, it became a photographic icon in the late ’90s and early 2000s, and its fame exploded after an image of it won a National Geographic photo contest in 2012. This ICM or intentional camera movement version is an original twist on a classic composition.
Story:
On a foggy Wednesday morning, the fall colors of the Japanese maple were at their peak.
Every autumn, long lines form to photograph this single tree. It’s rumored to be one of the most photographed trees in the world — and for good reason. Decades of careful pruning have shaped it into a living sculpture, an organic tangle of curves and character.
Photographers travel from all over to stand before it. Each person gets only a few moments — a slow-moving, self-guided procession where you take a shot, shuffle forward a few inches, and try again. It’s oddly high-pressure for such a tranquil setting.
That pressure helped me focus. There wasn’t room for hesitation or endless refinement. Decisions had to be fast, instinctive, honest. In addition to the classic photographs, I used intentional camera movement (ICM) to add some original flare.
Autumn Monarch, king of the moment.
The Emperor of Color.
Gnarled glory, crown of fire.
-BAP
Location:
Strolling Pond Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
Oregon
45° 31' 7.5'' N, 122° 42' 31.7'' W
Google Map Link
Time: 08:51 (morning)
Date: October 23rd, 2019
Camera & Settings:
Single shot
Nikon D800E, NIKKOR 14-24 mm f/2.8G, Tripod
ISO 100, 32 mm, f/8, 0.5 sec
đź“Ą Download FREE desktop wallpaper
🖼️ View artwork details & shipping
📸 Request a free wall preview
“Crownfire”
Description:
The famous laceleaf Japanese maple at the Portland Japanese Garden is known by many names: the “National Geographic Tree,” the “Tree of Life,” the “Famous Maple,” or simply “The Tree.” Planted in 1968, it became a photographic icon in the late ’90s and early 2000s, and its fame exploded after an image of it won a National Geographic photo contest in 2012. This ICM or intentional camera movement version is an original twist on a classic composition.
Story:
On a foggy Wednesday morning, the fall colors of the Japanese maple were at their peak.
Every autumn, long lines form to photograph this single tree. It’s rumored to be one of the most photographed trees in the world — and for good reason. Decades of careful pruning have shaped it into a living sculpture, an organic tangle of curves and character.
Photographers travel from all over to stand before it. Each person gets only a few moments — a slow-moving, self-guided procession where you take a shot, shuffle forward a few inches, and try again. It’s oddly high-pressure for such a tranquil setting.
That pressure helped me focus. There wasn’t room for hesitation or endless refinement. Decisions had to be fast, instinctive, honest. In addition to the classic photographs, I used intentional camera movement (ICM) to add some original flare.
Autumn Monarch, king of the moment.
The Emperor of Color.
Gnarled glory, crown of fire.
-BAP
Location:
Strolling Pond Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
Oregon
45° 31' 7.5'' N, 122° 42' 31.7'' W
Google Map Link
Time: 08:51 (morning)
Date: October 23rd, 2019
Camera & Settings:
Single shot
Nikon D800E, NIKKOR 14-24 mm f/2.8G, Tripod
ISO 100, 32 mm, f/8, 0.5 sec
This elegant and famous Japanese Maple in its splendid foliage has the power to summon legions of photographers.
