Photo Friday - Week 36

It's getting to that time of year again, when we can find toadstools and other fungi throughout our local woodlands, and they're great subjects, especially if you've got a macro lens.

I'd normally advise using a tripod, as it allows you to ignore the shutter speed and just concentrate on getting the depth of field as you want it, at the lowest ISO for the best image quality, however, this first shot was a snap looking straight down on a parasol toadstool, and I've cropped it down quite heavily to this composition.


Pentax K10D, Pentax FA50mm f/1.4 lens @ f/3.5, 1/180s, ISO400, handheld.

This is my more normal way of shooting fungi - a tripod, polarising filter and reflector all help to control the lighting and composition, and I would have used a remote release and the mirror lock-up mode to ensure a crisp, shake-free image.


Pentax K10D, Sigma EX 105mm f/2.8 macro lens @ f/16, 1.5s, ISO100, tripod, polariser, reflector.

Just go for a walk in your local woods, and keep your eyes peeled, especially if there are log-piles around, as these are excellent for fungi.  If you're wanting to find the red and white spotted Fly Agaric toadstools, look out for Silver Birch trees, as these are closely associated with these classic fungi.