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Photographing Mushrooms
Mushrooms Are Fascinating Photo Subjects
A friend called me a "camera nut" and I guess you could say that I'm crazy about photography.
Several summers ago in New Hampshire, it was particularly rainy which restricted some of our usual activities of kayaking and other sunny day pursuits. Due to the excessive rain, conditions were perfect for mushrooms and they were popping up everywhere. There were all colors and sizes of mushrooms.
That's when I discovered I had a passion for mushrooms. Capturing these with my camera became my new summer hobby. I don't know all their names yet, but gradually I'm learning more about mushrooms, lichens and related fungi.
Photo by Virginia Allain
Wander Through the Woods to Find Mushrooms - Photo by Virginia Allain
They usually like shade and soil that's rich in leaf mold or like the ones in this photo, they cluster on decaying wood.
Finding Names for the Mushrooms - guides available from Amazon
You can like mushrooms just for their looks, but I like to know their names and more about them. Here are guides for that. The one I'm recommending here is the National Audubon Field Guide. You can't go wrong with them.
There are many other reliable guides, so check out the ones at the public library. Decide which one suits you best and buy your own copy for home use.
An Unusual Mushroom (the coral mushroom)
Caution - Use Care
Don't Handle the Mushrooms, Some May Be Poisonous
- List of Poisonous Mushrooms & Poison Mushrooms Pictu...
A full list of poisonous mushrooms including the most poisonous mushroom will be provided to you in this article. Some basics on identifying and avoiding these poisonous mushrooms will also be provided, along with poison mushrooms pictures.
Odd Puffball in New Hampshire
I love photographing nature. I am out walking daily in the summer and love seeing mushrooms especially when they are attached to fallen logs. I love the smell of mushrooms especially when its damp and the leaves are on the ground.
Red Mushroom in New Hampshire
Get Down Low to Take Pictures from More Angles
Identified Mushrooms to Match to the Ones You Photograph
- Name the New Hampshire Mushrooms
I've taken hundreds of photos of mushrooms in New Hampshire. Trying to identify them can be tricky. Join me in seeking the right names for these fungi. I'll share the photos I have and see what names are suggested by visitors to this page. Once we... - Pictures of Mushrooms in Western New York
The State of New York has a beautiful array of mushrooms and other fungi growing among the oak, maple, and beech forests. This photo gallery of orange and yellow mushrooms was taken in Frewsburg, a town in the
Mushroom Photo Series by V. Allain - Click on each photo to see it larger and read the caption
Tuck a Plastic Grocery Bag into Your Pocket
If it rains, you can use it to shield your precious camera. Actually you might want a couple of these. They protect your knees from damp ground when you kneel to take a close shot.
The bags are handy if you bring home discoveries from your photo walk too like an interesting pinecone or a pretty rock.
More of My Mushroom Photos -
Wow, Here's Someone Else Who's a Mushroom Photographer
This is a nice interview with this Canadian photographer talking about his passion for photographing mushrooms.
This Is the Camera I Used for All the Photos Shown Here
It's lightweight and small enough to slip into your pocket. That way you'll have it at hand whenever you see a mushroom to photograph.
It does a fine job on macro photos. Just set it for close-ups (that's the icon of a flower).
Recently I lost this camera and really miss it. My phone isn't as good for this. I'll have to order another one of these.
Do You Take Mushroom Photos?
Vote in the Poll
A Demonstration of Taking Mushroom Photos
He recommends various equipment and demonstrates taking mushroom photos.
Photography Tips for Fungi
Gear to Help You Get Great Mushroom Photos
The tripod or the bean bag are great for steadying the camera. With macro photos, any little shakiness shows up.
You might want a photographer's vest if you carry much equipment with you on your photo walks. These have lots of pockets to hold lenses and other gear that you might need.
The Most Important Things for Taking Mushroom Photos
Get in close & keep the camera still.
An Overhead Shot Looking Straight Down
Sometimes It's Too Shady for Good Photos
You don't want to use the flash if you can help it. That washes out the subject and gives it a flat look.
A Disc Reflector Is the Solution for Lighting Problems
These discs collapse for easy carrying. They reflect the light where you want to highlight a subject without using your flash.
Offset the Mushroom Slightly in the Photo
How to Tote Your Photography Gear
Khaki Vest with Many Pockets
Just like the professional journalists and photographers, you can tote your extra batteries, mini-tripod and other gear in these great pockets.
There's even room to tuck in a snack or a sandwich for long photography excursions.
There's nothing more frustrating than to find a great subject that you want to capture with your camera and to find that your batteries are dead or you forgot to bring a crucial piece of equipment.
Maybe you can return later but the lighting might not be right or you might not be able to find that spot again. With mushrooms, they change over a a day or two and won't look the same. Better catch one while you can.
More Photography Tips from Virginia Allain
- Heart of the Flower by Virginia Allain
I love macro photography and particularly enjoy taking close-ups of flowers. Enjoy my pretty pictures and I hope it inspires you to take some yourself. - Take a Fall Photography Walk
Autumn has perfect weather for a walk with your camera. There's plenty of colorful subjects to photograph. Here are tips for making the most of your fall photo walk.
Cluster of Mushrooms
Others Who Take Mushroom Photos
- Wild Mushrooms, Photographs
A Vivid Photo Gallery of Wild Mushrooms. These professional freelance Images of Mushrooms have been shot in their natural environment in Napa Calif. You will find unique story lines accompany some of the authors favorite Mushroom Pictures. - Photographing Mushrooms
Photographing mushrooms is perhaps one of the last things you may think of, but you'll get hooked on it. Read on...
© 2010 Virginia Allain
Related
Are You a Nature Photographer?
Great lens. I also love to photograph and it's a good idea to take mushrooms as photo models ;)
a few days ago i was on vacation, you would have loved the wood full of all kind of mushrooms :-)
- Author
@Lenskeeper: Ah, a kindred soul.
Yes. I really like this lens about photographing mushrooms. I'm obsessed with taking close up photos of different plants, etc. along trails when I go hiking!
- Author
@FanfrelucheHubs: They are pretty with their delicate branching.
The coral mushrooms are nice, I see them quite often in France
Great pictures, thanks for sharing!
I looked through some of your mushrooms photographs on your slideshow - great shots!
Lovely shots of mushrooms. I think another way to photograph a fungi is to ask him to say "cheese."
You've done a great job with these mushroom macro shots! Love the daddy long legs
Great pictures! I love to photograph mushrooms, too.
Wonderful photos! I really love the shot of the daddy long lens on the mushroom. That's awesome!
I also love to photograph fungi :-)
I'm a photographer myself and I really like this lens - very useful tutorial for people who want to make mushroom photos.
I have loads of mushroom photos some of which I have compiled into a Youtube. That reminds me I must make a lens to feature them. You have some lovely images.
Mushrooms are fun to photograph and they stay still which is always a bonus. What a variety of mushrooms you've found and I like the spider too!
These are really cool photos! I will have to look for mushrooms...never thought of photographing them before. Blessed by a SquidAngel
What wonderful pictures. I've never thought how beautiful mushrooms are! I tend to take very blurry pics of my dogs in actions...or not.
Oh wow, after seeing all the gorgeous mushroom pictures, now I want to grab my camera & run to the nearest forest. Your beautiful shots inspire me to explore other photography idea. --- Blessed ---
I so need a better camera- probably don't have a good one for nature photography because I'd never be home on the computer -:)
I remember seeing you photographing the mushrooms several summers ago. At the time I had never heard of squidoo. Now I see what you did with those pictures. Nice lens.
This is SO wild! When I saw this lens I wanted to yell "SHUT UP!" and push you like Elaine on Seinfeld does to people when she can't believe something! I PHOTOGRAPH MUSHROOMS TOO! I've been trying to decide for about six months what to do with my collections of mushrooms photographs: make a lens, do a series of blog posts, I don't know.... Well, now I might have to make a lens about them and lensroll this one over to mine. What a fun and weird hobby! Interesting that other people do it too!
*Blessed by a Squid Angel*
beautiful lens! I love to take pictures of mushrooms too. I have a yellow one on m desktop. it's my favorite. Blessing
Wow, what a niche! I love to photograph but haven't done much with mushrooms. You have done a great job here capturing the different types you encountered.
Congratulations on your Purple Star! What a beautiful collection of mushroom photos. Happy Spring!
My husband and I are freelance stock photographers and sell our work to magazine and book publishers. Examples of our work are on www.kuyperphotography.com . Nice work here.
Fascinating photo's and great tips. Thanks.
What interesting pictures. I love nature photography and really enjoyed your lens.
5 and fave.
These are indeed wonderful photos and a unique subject.
:speechless: These pictures are amazing! (okay, so not entirely speechless :)
Only when I'm on vacation :) Beautiful photos of beautiful mushrooms.
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