How to Photograph Mushrooms in Autumn

Tip 1: Try a Macro Lens

You can photograph mushrooms with all kinds of lenses, but a macro lens usually delivers the best results. These lenses are designed to capture small subjects at life-size, allowing you to see even the tiniest details in your photos.

In mushroom photography, you often see that the background is blurry while the mushroom itself is sharp and clear. This so-called bokeh effect is created by using a large aperture (a low f-number, such as f/2.8, f/3.5, or f/4.5), which results in limited depth of field. Macro lenses are perfect for this. Macro lenses start at 35mm. Lenses with longer focal lengths, such as 90mm or 105mm, are usually a bit more expensive but also more versatile. They are great for insect photography as well—you don’t need to be as close to your subject to capture it large in the frame.

Tip 2: Focus Manually

It can sometimes be difficult to focus sharply on a mushroom, especially when using autofocus. The smaller the mushroom, the greater the challenge. Manual focus often works better because you decide what should be sharp in the photo.

On some cameras, you can focus while pressing the depth-of-field preview button, allowing you to see immediately what will be sharp. The screen on your camera can also help—you can see your composition more clearly. A tilting or articulating screen prevents you from having to lie flat on your stomach to get the mushroom properly framed. In the often wet autumn season, that’s not exactly pleasant. But if there’s no other option: bring a garbage bag to lie on.

Find more articles that make the life of a mushroom photographer a lot more enjoyable here.

Tip 3: Be Prepared for Low Light

Light is, of course, very important when photographing mushrooms. They often grow in dark, shady places, so you’ll frequently be working with low light. By using a tripod—such as the Leofoto LS324C—you avoid motion blur when shooting with slower shutter speeds. If you use a self-timer, a remote shutter, or the remote function on your smartphone, you eliminate camera shake entirely.

You can also choose to use a small flash or LED light. Additionally, a mini reflector can help you catch light and direct it where you want it. A small LED flashlight with an adjustable beam also offers many creative possibilities.

Tip 4: Choose the Right Time to Go Out

The time of day you photograph mushrooms has a major impact on the final image. If you want softer and more diffused light, it’s best to head out at sunrise—there may even be mist! If you go later in the day, the surroundings become brighter and more contrasty, which can also result in cool images. Depending on the type of photo you want to make, you should choose the right moment to go out.

Luckily, you can photograph mushrooms all day long, especially when it's cloudy. Looking for a warm atmosphere in sunny conditions? Set your white balance to "cloudy" or "shade." If you shoot in RAW, you can easily adjust the color tones during post-processing. You can also get creative with your shooting angle. Try photographing a mushroom from below! Or bring a small bottle of water so you can create your own dew drops on the mushroom. Check out the autumn tips page for even more fun suggestions!