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Mushroom Photography Tips
Once autumn rolls around, mushrooms start popping up everywhere. And as a photographer, you’ll want to capture every bit of their unique beauty.
But mushroom photography is both physically demanding and creatively challenging. For close-up shots, you need to get into their natural habitats, which can be wet, cold, and downright dirty.
Still, once you find them and shoot with the right lens and lighting, mushrooms look absolutely stunning. Here are four tips to help you get better mushroom photos.
1. Know When and Where to Search for the Mushrooms
Timing matters when hunting for mushrooms, so keep an eye on seasonal changes.
Some times of year and locations work better than others. You won’t have much luck finding them during warm summers or in dry areas like deserts.
Mushrooms love cool, wet conditions. Start your search during the wetter months and look in places like dense forests. Focus on tree trunks, dead leaves, moist soil, and tree bark.
2. Use the Right Camera Equipment
Some mushrooms grow on raised surfaces, but most sprout from the ground. Because of their size, you’ll usually need to shoot from ground level.
If you shoot from above, mushrooms tend to look flat and uninteresting. But from below or at eye level, they look much more dramatic. Here’s the gear you’ll want to bring along.
The type of shot you get depends heavily on your lens. Since you want your subject close to the camera, a macro lens is almost a must for this kind of photography.
Macro mode keeps only your subject in sharp focus. This shallow depth of field means viewers’ eyes are drawn straight to the sharpest part of the image.
A tabletop tripod lets you position your camera at the same level as your subject, which makes a huge difference.
Use a reflector to bounce stray sunlight into shadowed areas of the mushroom. This is especially helpful for the underside of the cap.
Bring a polarizing filter in case your subject or setting is particularly reflective or wet.
If your subject isn’t moist enough, keep a small spray bottle handy. A light spritz can bring out the mushroom’s natural look.
3. Background
Pay attention to what’s around your subjects. Even if the surroundings are damp and muddy, the viewer should notice the stunning mushroom first.
A good rule of thumb: include some background, but not so much that it competes with the mushroom. Fill the frame with fern leaves, or use the shadow a mushroom casts on a leaf to create interesting colors.
Pick background colors that work with the overall mood of your shot. Make use of the colorful leaves scattered on the ground.
To keep the image clean, remove any distracting elements. Clear away twigs or grass blades near your subjects so the camera can focus on exactly what you want.
4. Lighting
Since mushrooms tend to grow in shady spots, direct sunlight usually isn’t a problem.
However, bright natural light can actually ruin your mushroom photos because mushrooms are often white and reflective.
The upside? You don’t have to limit yourself to golden hour shoots since most of your settings will naturally be in shade. On those rare occasions when direct light hits, be ready to block it.
If you’re shooting with a friend, have them hold the reflector over the subject to soften any harsh light.
Final Thoughts
Stumbling across mushrooms during a hike doesn’t make them easy subjects. To get great mushroom photos, you need to go out with that specific goal in mind.
When you spot a fungus that could make an interesting shot, start thinking immediately about the best angle and approach to capture it.
One important safety note: never handle unknown mushroom species. Some are highly poisonous or even deadly.
See Also
Self-Portrait Photography Ideas for Beginners
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Best Camera for Landscape Photography
See also: 15 Best DSLR Cameras for Beginners, Canon Cameras with Flip Screen: A Comprehensive Guide, 5 Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
