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Early Autumn. Now is the time for photographing Fungi, (but only if you've got mushroom) on your phone camera – Simple Fungus Photography Tips - video

  • Writer: Michael Blyth
    Michael Blyth
  • 7 days ago
  • 3 min read

Eight simple fungus photography tips


  • Early to mid Autumn is the best time for many fungi
  • Approach gently or you may destroy the best fungus ever
  • Try to choose a bright day as it's quite dark under thick leaf cover
  • Getting close depends on your lens choice - fungus photography tips
  • Don't touch fungi unless you're an expert - and always wash your hands
  • Turning your phone upside down means you can get the lens down really low for dramatic images
  • Ultra-wide lens can give great 'in their environments' images



Warning: Never eat wild fungi unless identified by an expert, also wash your hands when you have the opportunity


Fungus Photography tips



A dog-walk turns to a fungus photography foray

Autumn is here, despite my vain attempts to deny the accumulating eveidence.


Are you affected by SAD? Not sure if i would pass a SAD test, but the lack of evening light does affect me.


One of my ways round this is to chase joy, in the form of exercise, and colour, and the beauty of nature, get out there with my camera or in this case my iphone, in this the perfect time of year for fungus photography.


We were out on a dog-walk in a nearby beech wood, not a natural one with millenia under it's belt, but beautiful nonetheless.


It's been there sufficient time to have accumulated a deep layer of leaves and decomposing matter, yummy stuff to the mycorrhizal masters of the underworld, and at this time of year they get all excited and put out a flourishing of fruiting bodies, which we see as display of wonderful fungi.


They make the most wonderful subjects for learning nature photography, they don't move, they are wonderfully architectural, and depending on the light, are easy to photograph, even with your iphone.


I've put a video at the top to give you an idea of where to find a profusion of them, but a slow walk across the forest floor will reveal other types, and there are of course other places.


As we worked our way gently across the leaves, their normal autumn crispness softened by the recent rains that triggered the fun guys to come out and display, I photographed singles, and small groups. The dog destroyed a few in her enthusiasm at the sight of me lying prostrate, apparently ready to be bounced, tigger like.


Here are a bunch of them, just by way of inspiration as fungus photography tips with maybe a few comments by way of how to photograph fungi. Images One to were taken in a two minute period in Garston Wood, a small RSPB reserve nearby, the others in a beech wood close to the Martin Down National Nature Reserve.


Great photo-opportunity, and a good thing we had a time limit or I might still be there.


Close-up of mushrooms with beige caps, viewed from below through green grass. Soft, natural lighting creates a serene, earthy mood.
Image One - Honey Fungus from below


Close-up of cluster of tan mushrooms with frilled edges in a grassy area. Soft focus background. Calm, earthy tones. Copyright text at bottom.
Image Two - Honey Fungus detail from side


Cluster of brown Honey Fungus with speckled tops in grass. Close-up view. Earthy tones; no visible text or prominent action.
Image Three - Vertical view of Honey Fungus Clump


Cluster of brown honey fungus with textured caps, growing closely together. The setting is outdoors, with green hints in the blurred background.
Image Four - Side of honey fungus Armillaria sp. cluster


Close-up of honey fungus with speckled caps, detailed textures, and a hint of greenery in the background, creating a natural, earthy scene.
Image Five - Top of single Honey Fungus cap Armillaria sp.


Cluster of tan mushrooms in a forest, with textured caps and green blurred background. Insects visible on mushrooms. Moody and natural.
Image Six - Detail of Honey Fungus


Top view of a brown mushroom with a textured cap, surrounded by dry leaves and chestnut shells. Earthy tones dominate the autumn setting.
Image Seven - Top of Parasol Fungus with scabby texture


Parasol Mushrooms grow among fallen leaves on a forest floor. Sunlight filters through the green canopy, creating a serene woodland scene.
Image Eight - Parasol Mushrooms from side


A dog walks through a lush forest, surrounded by mushrooms and fallen leaves. The background is filled with tall, green trees.
Image Nine - they don't go well together

Parasol Mushrooms with speckled caps grow on a forest floor covered in brown leaves. Tall green trees stand in the background.
Image Ten - Parasol Mushrooms from 45 degree angle


Cluster of brown mushrooms on a mossy forest floor, surrounded by fallen leaves. Green trees in the background. Calm and natural setting.
Image Eleven - Stump covered with Honey Fungus


Cluster of brown mushrooms with yellow stems growing among fallen leaves in a forest setting. Mushrooms have distinctive gill patterns.
Image Twelve - Detail of clump from side

Mushrooms growing on mossy ground in a lush green forest. Leaves cover the forest floor. Bright and peaceful natural setting.
Image Thirteen - Possible Honey Fungus from low angle with background


Clusters of brown mushrooms grow on moss in a forest. Soft green light filters through trees. Calm, natural atmosphere.
Image Fourteen - Possible Honey Fungus semi-macro


Cluster of cream ball shaped mushrooms with textured tops on mossy log in forest. Background has blurred green foliage. Photographer credit visible.
Image Fifteen - Ball shaped fungus with tree background


Cluster of ball shaped mushrooms on mossy log in forest, surrounded by fallen leaves. Earthy tones create a serene, natural atmosphere.
Image Sixteen - Ball shaped fungus with leafy background


Cluster of brown mushrooms on leafy forest floor, surrounded by trees with green canopy. Sunlight filters through leaves, creating a serene mood.
Image Seventeen - low angle shot of fungus with foreground and trees in background


Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) and moss on a forest floor with trees in the background. The atmosphere is serene and natural. Text: © Michael Blyth Photography.
Image Eighteen - Sulphur Tuft on tree trunk with other fungi


Cluster of mushrooms grows on mossy ground in a lush, green forest. Soft sunlight filters through dense trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
Image Nineteen - Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) semi close-up


Cluster of Honey Fungus growing among fallen leaves in a forest. The background is lush green, imparting a serene, natural atmosphere.
Image Twenty - Detail of clump of Honey Fungus


Fungi growing among fallen brown leaves in a forest setting, conveying an autumnal mood. Photography credit visible.
Image Twenty One - Funnel Mushrooms


Close-up of a mushroom with a textured cap growing among fallen brown leaves in a forest. Green trees in the background create a serene mood.
Image Twenty Two - unidentified fungus amongst leaves with trees out of focus behind


tiny white woodland fungi on moss log autumn wiltshire uk - Mycena species (bonnet fungi)
Image Twenty Three - Bonnet fungi on mossy decaying tree trunk - from side


delicate forest mushroom cluster macro wiltshire uk from below
Image Twenty Four- Bonnet fungi on mossy decaying tree trunk - from low angle with iPhone upside down with woodland trees above

Two small mushrooms with ribbed caps grow amidst moss on a forest floor. The green, blurred forest backdrop conveys a serene, natural setting.
Image Twenty Five - side shot of small inkcap


White fungus with textured cap growing among brown leaves in a forest. Green grass in the blurred background. Calm, natural setting.
Image Twenty Six - Shaggy parasol emerging from leaf litter - phone upside down


Cluster of brown and cream mushrooms among dry leaves in a forest setting, creating a natural and earthy scene. Text reads Michael Blyth Photography.
Image Twenty Seven - complete clump of honey fungus from 45 degrees

Cluster of mushrooms on mossy forest floor under soft light, surrounded by blurred green foliage. Earthy tones create a serene atmosphere.
Image Twenty Eight - cluster of Bonnet Fungi with woodlice from below using iPhone inverted

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