Objects to gauge size of bonsai in photos

[Steven]

G'day,

It's sometimes very hard to gauge the size of trees in pictures!
Over the years I have seen all sorts of objects placed next to bonsai to help show the size of the subject but there isn't really anything 'standard'.

Thought it might be a good idea for us to discuss possible objects for a standard size measure and the benefits and/or negatives of this. Is there something that we all have or can obtain easily/cheaply that could be used?

Here are some examples;

Dave54's Trident.jpg

Aussie4bonsai's azalea.jpg

Casuarina after twisting.jpg

John M's PJF.jpg

Mame pjf.JPG

Pup's Elm.jpg

Strawbs Ficus.jpg

What about a ruler, a coin, side cutters etc?
Any other thoughts?

Regards,
Steven

[Joel]

Lighters can vary a bit.

There are lots of suitable for smaller trees, such as those mentioned. What about larger trees? Whats something of standard size for ..... a metre. Or even more? I guess practicality comes into it as well when dealing with larger objects.

Joel

[Pup]

Good question ,Steven I use battery's as they are standard though out the world. Whereas drink cans can vary, so do the cigarette lighters.

My hand is small and fat, my mates hand is long and skinny. Pens seem to vary a lot too.
Using a ruler is fine but if you have one that has Metric and Imperial fine.
As a lot of our members are now from country's where they still use Feet and Inches.

Just my Double A take on the subject, all though I was asked once, where I get my oversize battery's from, as always from Coles K,mart or Woolies even the big warehouse with the starting initial of B.

Cheers Pup

[ozzy]

Heres one using a steel ruler ...

[kcpoole]

Heres one using a steel ruler ...

Only Problem Ozzy is you cannot read the Graduation on that ruler, and I have a selection at home that look the same that range from 150mm - 1M
If you can specify the ruler Lenght it is good.

I use Beer Bottle, my Hand and or fingers, a Netball, or even Natalie if its a really big one

[damo19]

Although I used a beer bottle yesterday, because it was handy whilst working on the tree, I think a ruler/tape measure would be the best option as it is universal, so long as it has metric and imperial as Pup said. I can still read the graduation on Ozzy's ruler (30cm/12"), but there is a bit of relection coming from it.

Cheers,
Damo

[strawbs]

i use a beer bottle cause its usually sitting next to me while working on my trees lol.
i think a ruler or tape wont give the width of the tree,
jmho
strawbs

[NaturalSelection]

I have used a shot glass before, though they can vary in size. A large 'bic' lighter is universal.
Other ideas.. playing cards, dice, poker chips, a tea spoon, a box of matches,...

NS

[Mitchell]

Brickwalls make sub-par backgrounds, but are great for said purpose. Gives height and width.

I generally use beer bottles, long neck's for big trees.

[Psymo]

I just tried the AA battery. I think it's good for small bonsai but it might get lost on some of the bigger trees. I like pups point too that its a standard though out the world.

RIMG0618 (616x640).jpg

[MelaQuin]

I stick a bonsai rake next to the trunk as a guide but even that can be deceptive but it does give an idea.

[ozzy]

Tools ...

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings from the north,
The standard AA battery would made an easy to obtain gauge for size.
I had been hoping that Team AusBonsai would have something to give away at the Perth Confrence 2011.
Maybe a 10 x 2 cms name tag. AusBonsai on one side with callibration and members name on the other side.
Lighters and matches just prove that you have money to waste.
Happy bonsai,
don't get sick on Wednesday, all the Queensland allied health workers are planing a strike,
bonsai day,
Bruce.

[Pup]

Tools ...

Is that a 10cm 20 or a 40 cm pair. Just thought to ask.

[Jarrod]

How about a tennis or golf ball, tennis balls are a good one to go by as they are easy to get!