Fungi Photography

[KeenTeen17]

Ive just been searching through the Gallery and have noticed a large difference in quality between my images and all the others e.g. FJ, cybershot, lancashire lad (mike) and Nick C

Everyone elses are sharper and show the curves / shape of the fungus really well.


whereas mine are more grainy, and look artificial whereas all the others look really good and properly capture the naturality and the environment of the fungus if you get what I mean.

I have also noticed that on the good photos, the whole group of mushrooms is focused , whereas on mine, a certain point is in focus - for example in the Tubaria furfuracea - the mushroom on the right is in focus whereas the other one is reduced to an orangy grain mass.


I just feel like I'm not getting a good use out of the potential of my new Nikon. The photos are a bit better compared to the Kodak.


Is all this something to do with using an aperture of f/8 or so and I might try using a tripod sometime. I'm usually in a rush photographing fungi etc. because I get all paranoid and think people are staring at me bent over photographing something in a tree etc.

Any tips would be appreciated.

I am just saying I would like to get more photos like Nicks winter polypore because its so sharp.



Thanks

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Is all this something to do with using an aperture of f/8 or so and I might try using a tripod sometime. I'm usually in a rush photographing fungi etc. because I get all paranoid and think people are staring at me bent over photographing something in a tree etc.

Any tips would be appreciated.

hi KT

I'm sure others will give you detailed technical advice, but just as a general comment you've kind of answered your own question

F8 will not give you a lot of depth of field - especially as you get close to something; not everyone likes flash, but if you use it and switch to the Manual setting on your camera, try different combinations of higher F numbers and see what happens; a tripod and remote will of course help

also if you're in a hurry you're unlikely to get good results, I'm afraid; time is what the mycologist really needs - the care required when searching, when collecting good specimens and when coming up with an identification all takes time

cheers

Chris

[leifus]

i get a mix of the two for example I am very pleased with my Flammulina velutipes ill upload some photos when I can

[NickCantle]

Hullo

Well first off, you're relatively new to fungi photography as I understand, and it certainly takes a while to learn how to compose a shot. There are two mindsets that you can put yourself in; Photographing for a nice image, in which the background is soft, the image is sharp and colourful and perhaps a little foliage is included (miniature gardening as I call it ). The other being composing for a reference shot in which you really want to be arranging the subjects in a way where you can see all of the relevant information that you'll need when you look back.

The depth of field problem you're having is certainly to do with the f/8 aperture you're using. As FJ told us all a couple of years ago, f/22 is the way forward- then you will most certainly require a tripod as the exposures at this aperture are likely to be seconds rather than fractions of a second.

Then there is the small matter of a lens. You will be amazed at how good the Sigma 105mm is, though you will sometimes have to get pretty up close and personal on the ground. I can't imagine that being a problem to you though!

Some people have excellent results with flash, but I can't manage it.

The beauty of digital is cheap experimentation, so get to it! Now we just need some mushrooms. But seriously think about investing in a dedicated macro lens.

If you're looking for compositional inspiration, may I suggest looking at RobSutton's fungi images.

The sharpness from my image you've shown above is attained by motionless camera and motionless subject. Most photographers on this site have a distinctive style as you notice, and yours will soon become recognised.

Nick

[KeenTeen17]

cheers guys. I never properly grasped the idea of aperture stuff but I got it now. I always got confused when people said use a larger aperture. I couldn't tell if that meant f/2 end or f/8 end. My kodak only had apertures of these limits. My new Nikon goes up to 22ish Would and 18-55mm VR or a 55-200mm VR count as good for mushrooms? They both have manual focus.

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

cheers guys. I never properly grasped the idea of aperture stuff but I got it now. I always got confused when people said use a larger aperture. I couldn't tell if that meant f/2 end or f/8 end. My kodak only had apertures of these limits. My new Nikon goes up to 22ish Would and 18-55mm VR or a 55-200mm VR count as good for mushrooms? They both have manual focus.

you want a macro lens, which is all about magnification ratio and crop. You'll be able to manage images with both of those lenses, but you can only use manual focus to the limit of the lens. To add, the camera doesn't dictate your aperture threshold, the attached lens does

[KeenTeen17]

hey wow. I am just so not used to this new camera! the freedom is amazing

[cybershot]

Whilst endorsing all that Nick and Chris have said above and all that FJ has included in his exceptional Photography Guide here on WAB

Fungi Photography Guide | Wild About Britain

I would highly recommend browsing Leif Goodwin's website for both inspirational examples and sound advice

Welcome

Thank you for including me in your list but like you I more often than not don't take enough time and trouble to put into practice what I know, and that I believe is the secret of getting the results you hanker after.

Cheers

David

[FungiJohn]

Hi KT

Have look at my fungi photography Guide at:

Fungi Photography Guide

Although it is aimed for bridge type cameras and beginners, the technique is just the same.

As Chris stated... you have answered most of the questions why you are not achieving similar results.

A tripod is essential and so too is spending time getting the right image. Ignore any on lookers … eventually you will never give them a thought because you will be too busy getting the perfect image!

I treat fungi photography in a similar way to wedding photography. You only get one attempt and it has to be correct.

Regarding aperture, on a modern DSLR with a good macro lens you should be looking at F16 as a minimum and preferably F22 for optimum recording. This is based on an ISO of 100/200 and typical exposure times between 1/10 sec – 25 sec … Yes 25 seconds is not unusual.

Remember, practice makes perfect .. It took me nearly 40 years

John

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi KT - I endorse what everyone else has said.

In a nutshell, you really need a decent macro lens with ability for 1:1 images. It doesn't need to be anything more than say 60mm focal length, as fungi aren't going to fly away , but when considering purchase, you must obviously take into account what other subjects you are likely to use it for. (eg. if you're into insects as well, then a 150mm might be a better buy).

If funds are limited, you might try a set of extension tubes as a stop gap, but a macro lens is really the only way to go.

The other absolute essential, is a tripod. There are no "if's" "and's" or "but's" about this. In fungi photography, long exposures are the norm. If you don't use a tripod your fungi photography will be very very limited, and with greatly increased chances of mediocre or completely useless shots. I bought a compact tripod earlier last year, and without doubt, it is the best £50.00 I've ever spent on photography equipment.

One final tip, even when using a tripod, always try to use either a remote release, or use the camera's 2 second self timer facility to trip the shutter.

Regards
Mike.