How to photograph Fungi

[DaiTheDragon]

I think I will have a go at Fungi photography but I would like some advice please. Set up. Do you use flash, or natural light, if so ring flash or external flash mounted on camera. Witch Macro lens, I have a 100mm and 180mm Macro lenses. I also presume that a tripod is essential especially as they are static so that you can use slower shutter speeds.
Any other advice would be most welcome.

Thanks
Dai

[matt_xyz]

Hi Dai,

I don't tend to use flash but prefer to use a reflector to get a bit of light on the underside of the fungi. A tripod or bean bag are essential as light levels are often low, so mirror lock up (or live view) and a cable release are also very useful. An angle finder can also be helpful. The 180mm lens will obviously help to de-clutter the background so I would tend to prefer that to the 100mm. Other than that, it's just a matter of finding photogenic specimens and preferably ones that are accessible and have a bit of space between them and background objects.

Have fun

Matt

[britnik]

In addition many fungi are very light in colour, when trying to photograph white subjects, spot or centre weighted metering will often be thrown into under exposure.
If this happens try metering off something more neutral before you take the picture. Grass is always a good standby.

[Lancashire Lad]

There are some tips in some of the posts here: -

Photographing Fungi

Regards,
Mike.

[DaiTheDragon]

Thank you all for your advice and the link was very informative. Now my first job is to go and find some that are in one piece.

Thank.
Dai

[Lancashire Lad]

Some interesting tips on fungi photography, what to look for in a digital camera, & what should be shown in fungi photos of various species to give a good chance of identification here: -
Mushroom Photography

NB: I assume that you will have already read the WAB Fungi Photography Guide: -
Fungi Photography Guide | Wild About Britain

Regards,
Mike.