MUSHROOM PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Most photographers shy away from shooting fungi, mostly because it is not seen to be a glamorous thing to do. Yet these life forms are just begging to be photographed and the picture potential is there to be taken. Fungi can be found anywhere where organic matter is decaying, especially in woodland, and in particular around autumn and early winter.

To photograph fungi all you need is a simple set-up, so this form of photography is widely accessible and thoroughly enjoyable.

WHERE TO FIND FUNGI

Different types of fungi need their own habitats, but most will be found growing in deciduous woodland. The best places to look for them are on fallen branches and decaying stumps. You can also find them among mossy areas and dense leaf litter. Another good place to find them is on tree trunks, when a telephoto lens will be required.

One thing to remember about fungi is that they spread as mycelia (very thin root-like structures) underground and absorb nutrients from decaying vegetation before revealing their existence on the surface as reproductive fruiting bodies we commonly see as toadstools or mushrooms. These mycelia can travel for a at least a mile underground.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

Most lenses can be used to shoot fungi, but because some species may be quite small, a dedicated macro lens will be the preferred lens to use. Macro lenses give results that are life size  They also give you maximum aperture, which means you will get a brighter image that is essential in dark woodland.

If you do not have a macro lens you can easily use much cheaper, but effective, close-up filters. These do not affect your camera’s automatic functions. Another possibility is the use of extension tubes.

An effective way of photographing fungi is to use a telephoto or a zoom lens from a distance to isolate the fungi from their surroundings. Actually, different focal lengths will help create different perspectives and results, so it is best to experiment.

GETTING IN CLOSE

As soon as you have found a good looking fungus to photograph, be it the fruiting body of a puffball mushroom, a stink horn mushroom, a death cap mushroom or whatever, you need to figure out the best way to photograph it.

The good thing about photographing fungi is that they are static objects, so you have lots of time to shoot them. Look at the surrounding light and the size and shape of the fruiting body.