Fungi from Ground Level

[Actinia]

I managed to get into the local woods yesterday to photograph fungi. These were all taken by placing the camera on the ground (protected by some bubble-wrap) or on a gorilla pod.

#1 Lilac Bonnet

The Lilac Bonnet, Mycena pura, is probably the commonest mushroom in my local wood. This one was about 10cm (4in) high.

#2 Clouded Agaric

The Clouded Funnelcap, Clitocybe nebulosa, is probably the second commonest mushroom. It is about 15cm across (7in). This one was on a slope, so I used the gorilla pod to get to the right level.

#3 Whitelaced Shank

I think that this is the Whitelaced Shank, Megacollybia platyphylla. It is about 12cm (5in) high. This one was growing on a log, so again, I used the gorilla pod to get level.

#4 Candle-snuff fungus

These Candlesnuff fungi, Xylaria hypoxylon, were each about 2cm (1in) high. They were growing on a flat piece of dead wood.

All of these were taken using a combination of ambient light and one to three LED light panels. The aperture was set at f/18, and the exposure varied from 1/15 to 1/5 second, using ISO 800 and an exposure bias of -1. I used a remote to trigger the exposure to minimise any shake. My Sony A55 has an LCD that twists round so that I can lay it flat on the ground, along with the camera, and see what is being taken. I tried to focus on the stipe (the stalk) if possible.

C & C welcome.

 

[goooner]

Great shots, I really need to practice these kind of shots.

 

[Designer]

Those LED lights seem to work quite well. The colors look about what I would expect to see (not so much the fungi, but the logs and leaves anyway). How do the colors look to you?

 

[Actinia]

Those LED lights seem to work quite well. The colors look about what I would expect to see (not so much the fungi, but the logs and leaves anyway). How do the colors look to you?

I had previously photographed a standard grey card with the LED lights, and checked the white balance in ACR. They seem to give a pretty good imitation of daylight.

 

[LilyBee]

nice angle and they give me a fairytail like feeling

 

[Actinia]

I have amended the provisional identification for #3. The one I think it might be (Whitefaced Shank) does actually grow on dead wood.