Critique Gregg's Garden Scape

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@GreggZ was willing to be the first to step up and send in his aquarium for us to discuss and make our most well-intentions comments on. The point to this is to listen to others' perspectives and friendly comments/suggestions. The owner of the aquarium, Gregg in this case, MAY or MAY NOT listen to anything that is mentioned. This is their aquarium, after all, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, please comment but be nice and remember that someone is opening themselves up for critique. This is never easy so I can't thank Gregg enough for being willing to hear from us.

The rules for the Help My Scape! forum are the same as the rest of the forum but I will mention them again. Your comments should be Kind, Necessary and True (in your opinion). We are helping each other to work on our aquascaping skills.

With that said, please share your comments and impressions with Gregg in this thread. I encourage you to post your aquarium in another thread (as an article) so that we can help you with your aquascaping.

 

[Art]

I took a stab at some analysis of Gregg's tank from my own point of view.

Initial impressions

Gregg's tank is beautiful. Full stop. I love the garden feel and the fact that, to me, it's a little wabi sabi. Obviously, all of his plants are healthy and some of them are quite hard to grow. He knows what he's doing and his experience shows.

I always like to admit upfront that I could not put this tank together myself. I don't have Gregg's skill. It is much easier to comment on someone else's work than actually doing similar work. So, I offer my thoughts respectfully and in full admiration for what he's created.

Gregg mentioned he was going for the fruit stand style!



Compositional comments

Rule of Thirds and focal points:


Although Gregg says any application of compositional rules is an accident, I don't buy it. I think he subconsciously had a reason for posting two of the lighter colored plants at the top two intersecting spots. In particular, the right top is telling.

The rule of thirds and focal points go hand in hand. Putting a focal point on a third line makes it particularly strong in the mind of an observer. I only realized this focal point with this aquarium when I put the grid on it. Until then, I was struggling to find a primary focal point as my eye was being drawn to multiple locations. I think it's subtle but that pantanal bunch is a focal point but it's competing with other things. It's placement is what makes it a primary focal point.

Another use of the rule of thirds is the vertical nature of it. Notice that about 2/3rds of the plant mass sit in the lower and middle third leaving the top third as empty space. Empty space draws interest and contrast and it's very hard to do in a fruit stand type aquarium. Would the overall image be more impactful if it had less plant mass in the upper third?

Check out Merian Sterian's tank that uses plenty of empty space (albeit because it's new). See how powerfully the empty space speaks?


Very briefly on the golden ratio. The ratio is a more traditional concept that the rule of thirds and it's based on pi, that strange mathematical concept found in nature. But, our brains are pre-wired to find is pleasant and interesting. Here's the golden ration grid on the aquascape:



Less impactful than the rule of thirds. However, I normally look at this to see if the balance of plants or colors sits on one side or the other. Here they don't. I wonder if we can strengthen the composition by making a move of plant or color to either side?

Dynamic symmetry:


Again, I think intentionally (maybe subconsciously) Gregg has put some symmetry into his scape. Notice the two opposing triangles and how the plants follow them on either side. The middle intersection also has a defining line plant (middle of the work) - is that wallichii? Also notice the two smaller triangles in the lower left and right. The two green plants fall nicely in there.

Finally, notice the triangle in the lower middle and how the foreground plants fall in line with it. Again, intuitively done by Gregg.

I think his scape has more symmetry than what Gregg may have thought!

Will be looking at color in the next post!

 

[Art]

Color:

I took a stab at pulling a color palette from the aquascape. In my experience, a fruit stand aquascape has a wide color palette usually called "colorful" or "bright". It's not just the brightness of the colors but how much color, do they complement each other and are they sufficiently contrasty to be pleasing to the eye.

At first impression, I thought the aquascape had plenty of color. I'm sure some Dutch purists would say too much color! However, when I ran it through the color picker, the palette turned out to not be as bright/colorful as I thought. What do you think?

I think what you want is good color placement within the color palette that we have with our plants. You either want to group colors together to create a focus point or a larger neutral palette. Or, you want to space out the colors so that they don't bunch up. Instead, you want contrast between plants next to each other.

I focus on two colors prevalent with our plants - green and red. How well spread out are they? Let's look.

Here is the scape with green removed showcasing the red placements.


This allows us to see that there is a red color grouping in the middle and on the right. A lot of red in the right 2/3rds of the aquascape. The Barclaya does seem to offer a pretty good counterbalance to all the red on the right.

Would it be more pleasing to the eye to have the red better spread out throughout the aquascape? Should the red be used to create more of a focal point? I don't know. That's up to Gregg to decide.

I'm not sure about the red and orange plant in the middle. Having a green plant in between them may make them more powerful than having them compete next to each other. Not enough contrast if they are next to each other.

Let's go the other way and tone down the red! I sometimes find that removing the saturation to blue helps. Not really this time.


It's better for this image to bring the red to black to get a better feel.


Gee, now I am starting to see how MUCH red there is in Gregg's tank. Did you think so? Could more green plants interspaced among the greens make this more powerful?

Some other very successful scapers in this style of tank may give us a clue. Here is Marian's with no red. You can see a lot of green still.


Here is another example from Paulina with no red:


Paulina's has plenty of red but it seems to be spread across the tank. It has a beautiful swath across the middle with contrasty plants that are also in the red spectrum but sufficiently contrasting with the red.

Texture contrast:

The last thing I noticed with Gregg's aquascape is the wide variation of textures. Two leaves may be green but if they are shaped sufficiently different, it creates a pleasing contrast.

To look at this, I usually just remove all color and see the impression that aquascape gives me.


You see some significant shape differences with some of the groupings and less so with others, like the middle two plants. The foreground plants give something to the impression but I would want a bigger section to give more of an impression/presence. Some of the groups could use being bigger, denser in order to really show their presence and add to the contrasts.

Let's look at Marien's:


I was surprised with this one. You can REALLy see the groupings and shapes. This adds to the visual appeal and, although some groups are very similar, I think the shape of the grouping, being so defined, creates the necessary contrast.

How about Paulina:


Big contrast and very easy to see groupings.

Overall impression:

I think Gregg's aquascape is so great and I know a picture doesn't do it justice. He has great intuitive placement that makes for a good, strong composition even in a wabi-sabi fruit stand aquascape. All of his plants are incredibly healthy and that, alone, is quite a feat.

My humble suggestions are perhaps separating some of the reds from each other and creating more clearly visible grouping shapes. The foreground can be stronger by increasing density and shaping.

What do you all think? Am I off base on anything?

Thanks again to my friend @GreggZ for giving me the honor and pleasure of taking a deeper look into his aquascape and making some well-intentioned comments.

 

[ryancamaratta]

Has always been one of my favorite tanks, probably the first one new to the hobby that caught my eye. Always loved the colors so super excited for your next post @Art, really nice write up here! Are you freehanding angles or using a tool to draw over? I'd love to use something similar on my tanks sometime.

I wish I could offer some more constructive critique but I'm not a great layout guy just yet, learning as I go and move groups frequently. Just wanted to chime in and say this sub-forum is an AWESOME idea to benefit alot of people, very cool to have a critique my layout section. I'll be making heavy use of this in the future for sure

 

[GreggZ]

@GreggZ was willing to be the first to step up and send in his aquarium for us to discuss and make our most well-intentions comments on. The point to this is to listen to others' perspectives and friendly comments/suggestions. The owner of the aquarium, Gregg in this case, MAY or MAY NOT listen to anything that is mentioned. This is their aquarium, after all, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, please comment but be nice and remember that someone is opening themselves up for critique. This is never easy so I can't thank Gregg enough for being willing to hear from us.​

Hey Art I am glad to do so. And you can't offend me. I am open to any and all comments and suggestions.

But before I get started I wanted to post a better resolution shot of tank. I'll also attach more close up thumbnails below.

I took a stab at some analysis of Gregg's tank from my own point of view.

Art when you asked me about doing this I thought it would be interesting and I wasn’t disappointed. Like I have said it’s always good to have another set of eyes give their impression of your tank. You have a lot of valid points that I will comment on below. Hopefully it doesn’t sound like too much psychobabble. The truth is I spend a lot of time staring at my tank and figuring out how to make it better. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with no solution. You might feel you are getting closer but there is always room for improvement.

Compositional comments

Rule of Thirds and focal points:
View attachment 689

Although Gregg says any application of compositional rules is an accident, I don't buy it. I think he subconsciously had a reason for posting two of the lighter colored plants at the top two intersecting spots. In particular, the right top is telling.

As @JPog said the other day, he doesn’t “think” about the rules, but it so happens that’s what looks good to his eye. But you did point out my one deliberate move, having the light colored tall plants break the tank into vertical third groupings. In this version, two of which I like and one that needs work. The right third of the tank right now is indecisive and a mish mash of stuff.

But there is a story which points out some realities that we struggle with. The Rotala Macrandra Variegated is a poor choice in front of the Samolus Parviflorus. I was talking about that the other day with someone. But here’s the reality. I’ve kept the Mac Var. for a very long time. A while back I decided it was time to let it go. But I was too weak to let it all go and kept one tiny stem. Well now it’s grown into a nice little bush again so I just plopped it somewhere. A good example of a weak spot that I can’t solve yet.

In that same third I also have a tiny bit of Mayaca I don’t know what to do with, and a tiny group of Myriophyllum mattogrossense Golden that had just been sent to me. The good thing I think is that the L. Cuba, Furcata, and Syngo frame the area nicely and let’s me get away with it for now. Still bugs me though. The puzzle solving never ends.

I only realized this focal point with this aquarium when I put the grid on it. Until then, I was struggling to find a primary focal point as my eye was being drawn to multiple locations. I think it's subtle but that pantanal bunch is a focal point but it's competing with other things. It's placement is what makes it a primary focal point.

If your eye was being drawn to multiple locations then I accomplished one of my goals. I’ve always thought the best scapes take a while to soak in. As you look around you see new elements/groupings you missed the first time, and you can stare at it a long time and not be bored, and the eye is drawn around the entire tank. One of the best at that is Paulina whom you referenced below.

And funny you mentioned the Pantanal. I’ve kept the same batch for over a decade. It’s a PITA but I can’t quit it. I can’t find anything else that draws the eye so consistently like it does.

Another use of the rule of thirds is the vertical nature of it. Notice that about 2/3rds of the plant mass sit in the lower and middle third leaving the top third as empty space. Empty space draws interest and contrast and it's very hard to do in a fruit stand type aquarium. Would the overall image be more impactful if it had less plant mass in the upper third?

Another good point Art. I do like to have empty space and varying plant heights along the back. But with weeds like this that is tricky business. Remember this a snapshot in time. In a few days these groupings will grow more than you can imagine. But I do agree even more variation of height would make the back more interesting. You are the second person who mentioned that recently.

Very briefly on the golden ratio. The ratio is a more traditional concept that the rule of thirds and it's based on pi, that strange mathematical concept found in nature. But, our brains are pre-wired to find is pleasant and interesting. Here's the golden ration grid on the aquascape:

View attachment 691

Less impactful than the rule of thirds. However, I normally look at this to see if the balance of plants or colors sits on one side or the other. Here they don't. I wonder if we can strengthen the composition by making a move of plant or color to either side?

I would like to hear more thoughts on this. What would you consider?

Dynamic symmetry:
View attachment 692

Again, I think intentionally (maybe subconsciously) Gregg has put some symmetry into his scape. Notice the two opposing triangles and how the plants follow them on either side. The middle intersection also has a defining line plant (middle of the work) - is that wallichii? Also notice the two smaller triangles in the lower left and right. The two green plants fall nicely in there.

Finally, notice the triangle in the lower middle and how the foreground plants fall in line with it. Again, intuitively done by Gregg.

I think his scape has more symmetry than what Gregg may have thought!

Art I think I just have a symmetrical brain in general. It’s just more pleasing to me. I actually try to avoid that at times but it’s hard to go against. I found this analysis to be quite interesting and you pointed out some interesting things.

The upper and lower outside triangles ARE that way on purpose. I find that green and light colored plants on those outside edges help widen the field of vision. It kind of “frames” the rest of the presentation. IMO when you put red or heavily colored plants on the edges they get lost.

And the lower middle triangle is something that I work on. I want those lower height plants to be framed by the taller ones behind them. So when you look there it keeps your gaze for a bit. Looking at again I could actually tighten that up a bit.

 

[GreggZ]

Color:
At first impression, I thought the aquascape had plenty of color. I'm sure some Dutch purists would say too much color! However, when I ran it through the color picker, the palette turned out to not be as bright/colorful as I thought. What do you think?

I think what you want is good color placement within the color palette that we have with our plants. You either want to group colors together to create a focus point or a larger neutral palette. Or, you want to space out the colors so that they don't bunch up. Instead, you want contrast between plants next to each other.

I focus on two colors prevalent with our plants - green and red. How well spread out are they? Let's look.

Here is the scape with green removed showcasing the red placements.
View attachment 695

Art this is interesting and has provided me a new tool. These are exactly the things I think about, but I never thought about removing/enhancing colors to see this more clearly. Very cool. I just do it like seeing a canvas in my mind. On the same note I never used any of the focal point tools either. Gives me a new tool to fool around with.
But back to the point of the picture. It points out the weakness of the right third. The Macranda Var. doesn't belong there. It really doesn’t fit anywhere but it’s such a nice plant I can’t seem to let go of it.

This allows us to see that there is a red color grouping in the middle and on the right. A lot of red in the right 2/3rds of the aquascape. The Barclaya does seem to offer a pretty good counterbalance to all the red on the right.

We think alike on this comment. Here’s the thing. In person that Barclaya is even more prominent than in the pictures as it’s a really large plant. The leaves are about 12” to 16” long. That’s the reason you don’t see any other red in that third of the tank. It would just get lost next to it.

I'm not sure about the red and orange plant in the middle. Having a green plant in between them may make them more powerful than having them compete next to each other. Not enough contrast if they are next to each other.

This goes to the realities of scaping. The red and orange is not ideal, but as I arrange the puzzle at the back of the tank it was a compromise. Throwing in another tall green plant would be nice but it would squeeze everything else. And I like keeping the group of L. Cuba larger and I like the way it contrasts with the Furcata next to it. Not just color but leaf shape as well. And I like having the Syngo Meta behind the Barclaya to help frame it. So it's somewhat a limitation of space.

Some other very successful scapers in this style of tank may give us a clue. Here is Marian's with no red. You can see a lot of green still.
View attachment 700

First of all Marian’s tanks are some of my favorites. But it’s a different style. And one that is instantly recognizable. Marian’s tank are generally a bit more muted, less bold, and more subtle. He leaves almost no space between the groupings, and he uses lots of plants with very similar shaped leaves, or in some cases the same plant in different spots in the tank. Where he excels is with the shaping of the groups. I can’t imagine the dedication to keep them that way. I also notice he has little variation in plant height. Everything is usually pretty short, and it’s more of a very gradual progression of height front to back. My style is more “steps” of height that are distinct. And the most important thing. It works perfectly. I look forward to seeing new pics of Marian’s tanks and can stare at them for a long time. For some reason they are soothing to me. A different feel than mine. And I don’t get bored which is a real compliment. On a side note I don’t know Marian really well but we do chat from time to time. I have found him to be a very kind person who is generous with his thoughts. He's a great ambassador for the hobby.

Here is another example from Paulina with no red:
View attachment 701

Paulina's has plenty of red but it seems to be spread across the tank. It has a beautiful swath across the middle with contrasty plants that are also in the red spectrum but sufficiently contrasting with the red.

LOL first Marian and now Paulina. I don't consider myself worthy to be mentioned along with those two. They are both true artists and I know the difference. And both are great sources of inspiration. I absolutely love Paulina’s work. She has the got the rare combination of being an exceptional plant grower, but also has an artists eye. If you look closely at her tank pics it’s amazing the number of difficult rare plants that she is able to keep in peak health at one time. If you don’t look closely it can be lost on you. If I recall her principal business has to do with making floral arrangements. I remember seeing pics of some of the stunning pieces she creates years ago and I could quickly see she has just got “it” when it comes to artistic eye. Much to admire (and copy!) there.

Texture contrast:

The last thing I noticed with Gregg's aquascape is the wide variation of textures. Two leaves may be green but if they are shaped sufficiently different, it creates a pleasing contrast.

To look at this, I usually just remove all color and see the impression that aquascape gives me.
View attachment 702

The variation of texture/plant shape is important to me. And this is more difficult than it seems and takes some thought. If I decide to go more true “Dutch”, then I would need to add even more variation of textures. Believe me I consider this even when contemplating adding new plants. It’s not just that I like it and want it…..but how can it fit into the tank?? Color? Shape? Texture? Size?

Overall impression:

I think Gregg's aquascape is so great and I know a picture doesn't do it justice. He has great intuitive placement that makes for a good, strong composition even in a wabi-sabi fruit stand aquascape. All of his plants are incredibly healthy and that, alone, is quite a feat.

My humble suggestions are perhaps separating some of the reds from each other and creating more clearly visible grouping shapes. The foreground can be stronger by increasing density and shaping.

Art I can see you have a good eye. You summed up some weaknesses when this pic was taken. Yes the reds on the right are bunched which I talked about earlier. I’d probably do better to lose one red and add another green. I’ll have to give that more thought. As you know the one constant is change.

As to the front grouping again you pointed out a weakness of the tank at this particular point. Some of those foreground plants did need more time to fill in. For instance the Blyxa was just growing out from a few small pieces which is now a nice thick group. And just before this pic I had sent someone some of the Staurogyne spatulate which thinned that grouping.

Which goes to another point about keeping a tank long term. A picture is just a moment in time. Three days later the shaping of this tank will look a bit different. And like I have mentioned before I have posted hundreds of pictures of my tank over the years, and I doubt two were ever exactly the same. Sometimes there are subtle changes, but trust me there are always new plants coming in, old ones going out, something moved from here to there, or who knows what else.

And the funny thing is that when I look back at those pics, I mostly only see the things that are wrong. I guess that’s what keeps it interesting after all these years.

I will say that for me this has been a very interesting exercise. I really appreciate you taking the time to break down everything like that. It gives me some new tools to work with and there is lots to digest there. I hope others found it as helpful as I did.

 

[Art]

It really doesn’t fit anywhere but it’s such a nice plant I can’t seem to let go of it.

This is one of the reasons I've never focused on a competition tank for me. Sometimes, I just like the plant and it's going where I can fit it.

 

[Art]

For some reason they are soothing to me. A different feel than mine.

I do not agree with this at all. I get a very calm feeling looking at your tank as well.

 

[Art]

Thanks for the kind words, Gregg. I truly appreciate it and it was an honor to just try to learn from your skill and artistry. You're very humble for your level.

I love how you mentioned that a picture is just a moment in time. This is so true and it is a very real difference between a long-term aquarium and that put together for a picture - the contest tank. It's just apples and oranges between those two so I love learning from both.

Honestly, I was hesitant posting you first because it may deter others from posting their tanks. I know I am a little embarrassed to post mine after yours! But I will force myself past that. I hope others do as well.

The point of this is to get the benefit of the community helping to make a beautiful aquarium for everyone.

 

[GreggZ]

Thanks for the kind words, Gregg. I truly appreciate it and it was an honor to just try to learn from your skill and artistry. You're very humble for your level.

I love how you mentioned that a picture is just a moment in time. This is so true and it is a very real difference between a long-term aquarium and that put together for a picture - the contest tank. It's just apples and oranges between those two so I love learning from both.

Honestly, I was hesitant posting you first because it may deter others from posting their tanks. I know I am a little embarrassed to post mine after yours! But I will force myself past that. I hope others do as well.

The point of this is to get the benefit of the community helping to make a beautiful aquarium for everyone.

Agreed a long term tank is worlds away from a contest tank. It's a living breathing thing that changes almost daily. IMO the long term tank takes a lot more plant growing and horticulture skills. Many contest tanks are strictly art. The ones I really admire are the ones that can do both. People like Marian and Paulina mentioned above.

Art something people might not know is that I have been keeping a folder of "inspiration" tanks for a LONG time. When I see a tank that is exceptional I download the picture then try to find out as much as I can about their technique. When I am not sure what I want to do with mine I often just browse through them. Truth be told I have been stealing little bits and pieces of things I like for many years!

I only mention it as that is the way we learn and grow in the hobby. I don't think anyone should fear having their tank dissected. When I got started I reached out to others in the hobby who I respected and did exactly that. I can't tell you how much I appreciated their thoughts and how it shaped the way my tank appears now. And the amazing thing is that now many of them are friends of mine! What a wonderful community we have in this hobby.

 

[JPog]

Gregg mentioned he was going for the fruit stand style!

Mission Accomplished!

Wow @Art that is some analysis and i do agree on a sub-conscious or other level that Gregg does have scaping chops, because the tank is obviously stunning!

In case AGA doesn't approve Gregg's petition for a "Fruit Stand" scape category, I would love (based on personal interest) to see how this tank would look with a continuous foreground maybe keeping the left-most and right-most plants. I realize Gregg is more of a farmer so this would go against getting maximum species in there, but just from a scaping perspective I would love to see that look especially with those outstanding plants.

Also and this is purely from a different type of scape perspective is to have more cascading of background plants into the midground so they bleed into each other and not so much in the "Fruit Stand" formation that we've come to know and love.

 

[GreggZ]

Mission Accomplished!

Wow @Art that is some analysis and i do agree on a sub-conscious or other level that Gregg does have scaping chops, because the tank is obviously stunning!

In case AGA doesn't approve Gregg's petition for a "Fruit Stand" scape category, I would love (based on personal interest) to see how this tank would look with a continuous foreground maybe keeping the left-most and right-most plants. I realize Gregg is more of a farmer so this would go against getting maximum species in there, but just from a scaping perspective I would love to see that look especially with those outstanding plants.

Also and this is purely from a different type of scape perspective is to have more cascading of background plants into the midground so they bleed into each other and not so much in the "Fruit Stand" formation that we've come to know and love.

LOL these are valid points and up for consideration. I can actually see how framing the entire foreground with the two from the front corners would work. It would tone things down a bit and increase the focus on the others. I have never really done things that way but do admire some tanks that do. Hmmmm........food for thought.

And I also get the blending the background plants into the midground. Heck I could do that the next trimming and try it!

I love this. More food for thought I had not really considered.

 

[Art]

Gregg - I created this line that traces the tops of the plants in your picture. I realize this photo wasn't contest-ready so this is just food for thought.



Visual art theory suggests that humans have a subconscious bias towards order. We prefer symmetry. As such, I always suggest that one focus on the non-obvious cues that the mind will pick up.

The line above is what I would call a little chaotic. With your next trimming, see if you can make that line more "harmonic" - smoother with repeating symmetry. See if you somehow find it more appealing.

If I do the same line for some of the winning contest tanks, you will see very harmonic lines indicative of intentionality by the aquascaper.

Now I'm just nitpicking here, I know. Just sharing my thoughts as I continue to look at your scape.

 

[GreggZ]

Gregg - I created this line that traces the tops of the plants in your picture. I realize this photo wasn't contest-ready so this is just food for thought.

View attachment 733

Visual art theory suggests that humans have a subconscious bias towards order. We prefer symmetry. As such, I always suggest that one focus on the non-obvious cues that the mind will pick up.

The line above is what I would call a little chaotic. With your next trimming, see if you can make that line more "harmonic" - smoother with repeating symmetry. See if you somehow find it more appealing.

If I do the same line for some of the winning contest tanks, you will see very harmonic lines indicative of intentionality by the aquascaper.

Now I'm just nitpicking here, I know. Just sharing my thoughts as I continue to look at your scape.

Art I appreciate feedback like this. I never traced the top line to see how it appeared. Again I am usually just winging it as to what looks good to my eye.

This brings to mind how tricky it is to get that "perfect" shot with a tank full of stems. The best pics usually come about two or three days after a trimming. It takes a little time for the plants to settle back in and go back to normal growth patterns. A good eye can tell when the tank was just freshly trimmed. Looks a bit less natural.

So you need to plan ahead and anticipate how tall the groups will get in that time frame. So there is a lot of planning that goes into getting things just the way you want them for a picture.

 

[gjcarew]

Art I appreciate feedback like this. I never traced the top line to see how it appeared. Again I am usually just winging it as to what looks good to my eye.

This brings to mind how tricky it is to get that "perfect" shot with a tank full of stems. The best pics usually come about two or three days after a trimming. It takes a little time for the plants to settle back in and go back to normal growth patterns. A good eye can tell when the tank was just freshly trimmed. Looks a bit less natural.

So you need to plan ahead and anticipate how tall the groups will get in that time frame. So there is a lot of planning that goes into getting things just the way you want them for a picture.

More than that, some plants take longer to recover from that 'fresh-trimmed' look than others. Limnophila aquatica is one I just got rid of last night because it takes three days for the tops to recover when they hit the surface, then it grows six inches over the next four days until it's time to trim it again. With some species it's just not practical to aim for a contest-style tank unless you have the time and dedication to spend multiple hours per week documenting growth, trimming, and tweaking layouts.
I admire your tank because you're getting nice groupings from plants like the Myriophyllum roraima, Ludwigia inclinata, and and Cabomba furcata. They are all such fast growers that it takes real skill to group them in an attractive manner. To try to make them hit the top of the tank at the same time is a monumental task.

 

[Ed Wiser]

Not every tank has to be a contest tank.
To me a contest tank is not a real aquarium. It is a painting with plants. That is set up to take a picture at its peak. An often uses tricks that wouldn’t work long term in an aquarium. The removal of all equipment to take an image. Is an example. People get an unrealistic view of a daily planted tank.
I only have one judge that is important for my aquarium that’s the wife.
If she doesn’t like it others views are meaningless. Many times you see something a just like the shape a color of a plant. A just place it in the tank. Over time it either work out in the place you have placed or it doesn’t. The wife tell’s me what to do. What people like is subjective to them.

 

[GreggZ]

I only have one judge that is important for my aquarium that’s the wife.
If she doesn’t like it others views are meaningless. Many times you see something a just like the shape a color of a plant. A just place it in the tank. Over time it either work out in the place you have placed or it doesn’t. The wife tell’s me what to do. What people like is subjective to them.

Hey Ed same for me. If my wife tells me the tank looks extra fantastic then she made my day!

And yes what people like is purely subjective. I have folks who tell me that they hate my tank. They tell me it's too colorful and spastic. That is their prerogative as they have different ideals.

As to contests I have never entered one mostly for the reasons you listed. My tank is an on going living breathing thing that I keep molding to suit my personal taste not some contest rules. But I will say when I take pics there are no "tricks". It's what you would see if you were here in person.

 

[GreggZ]

More than that, some plants take longer to recover from that 'fresh-trimmed' look than others. Limnophila aquatica is one I just got rid of last night because it takes three days for the tops to recover when they hit the surface, then it grows six inches over the next four days until it's time to trim it again. With some species it's just not practical to aim for a contest-style tank unless you have the time and dedication to spend multiple hours per week documenting growth, trimming, and tweaking layouts.
I admire your tank because you're getting nice groupings from plants like the Myriophyllum roraima, Ludwigia inclinata, and and Cabomba furcata. They are all such fast growers that it takes real skill to group them in an attractive manner. To try to make them hit the top of the tank at the same time is a monumental task.

Hey my friend good to see you here. And yes different plants respond differently to trimming. That's why (as you know well!) I really admire people who can pull of a real Dutch scape. There is a lot of planning involved to get each group peaking at the right heights for the picture.

As to the weeds, I have kept them so long I am pretty familiar with their growth patterns. The Myrio is the trickiest as it just grows SO fast. The Pantanal is a little slower and the Furcata is easy in comparison to those two.

 

[Art]

If my wife tells me the tank looks extra fantastic then she made my day!

This is the same with most of us!