One of last year’s stunning entries in the Fungi Feastival photography competition. Photo: Sarah Antal.
Lovers of photography, fungi and the natural beauty of the Far South Coast are invited to enter the fungi photography competition that is part of the Fungi Feastival.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or enthusiastic amateur, the competition gives you the chance to capture the beauty, wonder, and weirdness of fungi from across the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley through your lens.
Although a seasoned photographer, Bega-based Andrew Larkin only started applying his skills to fungi in 2023.
“With fungi photography, it is a case of you never quite know what you are going to find,” he said. “With an estimated 3,000,000 fungi species and only around 150,000 identified, fungi photography provides an unmatched opportunity to discover and document something completely new.”
No matter how many times he visits an area and has an idea of what species are there, he knows he may find something that has not been seen there for many years. That is because it can take up to 10 years, even more, for the right conditions for specific fungi to fruit.
Given the amount of rain the region has had, this could be an excellent fungi season.
An exhibition of winning and outstanding entries will run throughout the Fungi Feastival from 20 June to 20 July.
The highlights of the photography program are two-day workshops to be hosted by Tasmania’s Tim Grimsey.
“Tim is an exceptional fungi photographer who produces truly amazing photos,” Mr Larkin said.
The immersive workshops will run on 21 June at Mystery Bay, and Merimbula on 28 June.
This year’s Fungi Feastival includes photography workshops on 21 and 28 June. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Larkin is more interested in the artistic side of fungi photography than the scientific.
Fungi offer an incredible variety of forms, textures, and colours, making them perfect subjects for captivating photography.
Whether it is a tiny, delicate mushroom peeking from beneath a leaf or a vibrant, otherworldly specimen growing in the dark, there is no shortage of inspiration to be found in forests, gardens, and national parks.
Mr Larkin shared some of his tips to fungi photographers, whether of the artistic or scientific persuasion.
He said it started by studying the fungi closely, getting the lens level with it, and understanding its story, what was interesting and what was unique.
“Fungi are vastly more interesting underneath,” he said. “That is where the gills are, where the spores come from, and where the colonies of insects, bugs, and spiders live, so seeing the fungi in the context of the rest of the environment.”
Mr Larkin said some of the best photographs in last year’s competition used simple gear, but by getting up close, very strong images resulted.
Like other photography, adjusting the light and shade is important.
It can be as simple as using foil to reflect the light and using an umbrella to control the shade.
Alison Aitken took this photograph for last year’s fungi photo competition. Photo: Alison Aitken.
Mr Larkin likened it to someone sitting in a studio for a portrait.
“You don’t want the light flat on their face but coming in from the side to highlight the texture, and shading where you need it.”
Depth of field is a particular challenge for fungi photography given the subject is so close to the lens.
One way to overcome that is focus stacking. It is the key advanced technique that Mr Grimsey will teach at the workshops.
It involves taking a series of photographs, each with a slightly different focal point. Software is used to combine the photographs to create a single image with sharp focus.
“It gives superior depth of field from the front to the back,” Mr Larkin said.
The Fungi Feastival photo competition is open to all ages. There are two categories, the open division for photographers of all skill levels and the youth division for those under 18.
Prizes include A guide to the common fungi of coastal NSW by Pam O’Sullivan, mushroom growing kits from Little Acre Gourmet Mushrooms, an exclusive truffle hunt with Gulaga Gold, and Godox LED lighting kits for enhancing fungi photography.
Submissions can be made via the Fungi Feastival website. The competition closes 31 May.
