Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a fascinating subject for macro photography, with their unique shapes, textures, and colours. They are strange fungi that grow in dark, damp forest areas, and their intricate details are revealed under a macro lens. The most commonly photographed parts of mushrooms are the gills or 'lamellae', which grow to maximise spore dispersal. The challenge of photographing these intricate structures lies in lighting and focus, as the wavy surface of the gills and the narrow depth of field can result in some areas being out of focus. To overcome this, photographers can use techniques such as focus stacking, where multiple images are blended to create a sharp composite.
Beyond their visual appeal, mushrooms are also a popular subject due to their nutritional value. They are low in calories and offer health benefits such as improved heart health and potential cancer-fighting properties. The ability of mushrooms to accumulate macronutrients makes them a significant supplement to the human diet, providing essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Macronutrients | Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium |
| Micronutrients | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Copper, Folate, Zinc |
| Vitamins | D2, B12, Selenium, Choline |
| Minerals | Calcium, Iron |
| Antioxidants | Ergothioneine, Beta Glucan |
| Protein | 2.2g per cup |
| Carbohydrates | 2.3g per cup |
| Fat | 0.2g per cup |
| Calories | 15 per cup |
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What You'll Learn
Macro mushrooms are a species of fungi
Mushrooms are a type of fungi, constituting a separate kingdom of life from plants and animals. They are not vegetables but are often used and served as vegetables in recipes. There are more than a million estimated species of fungi, and mushrooms grow in a variety of colours and sizes. Edible mushrooms make up only a small fraction of fungi.
Like most mushrooms, macro mushrooms are low in calories but pack plenty of nutrients. They are a good source of vitamin D, an important component for bone and immune health. They also contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, copper, folate, and zinc. In addition, macro mushrooms are a rich source of potassium, which is known for reducing the negative impact that sodium can have on the body.
Macro mushrooms have a delicate flavour and meaty texture. They can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or powdered. When preparing dried macro mushrooms, they should be left in water for several hours until they are soft. They can also be simmered in a pot of water for about 5 minutes until soft, or sautéed in a hot skillet.
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They are edible and have a mild taste
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, often used and served as vegetables in recipes. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. They are also known for their delicate flavour and meaty texture.
White mushrooms, for example, are the most cultivated type of mushroom in the world. They are very low in calories and offer multiple health benefits, such as improved heart health and potential cancer-fighting properties. They are also a source of vitamin D2, which is important for bone health and can be difficult to obtain from a vegan diet.
Like white mushrooms, most edible mushrooms contain important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, folate, and zinc. They are also a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants, which can help to prevent serious health conditions such as Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Wild mushrooms can be toxic, so it is important to know which varieties are edible. There are over 2,000 edible mushroom varieties, including morel and chanterelle, and lion's mane mushrooms, which are known for their brain health benefits. These edible mushrooms can be enjoyed in many recipes, adding flavour and texture to dishes. They can be eaten fresh, frozen, canned, dried, powdered, or even raw, making them a versatile ingredient.
Overall, mushrooms are a nutritious and tasty addition to any meal, offering a range of health benefits due to their high vitamin and mineral content. With their mild taste and smooth caps, they are a popular ingredient in many kitchens around the world.
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Macro mushrooms are found in woodland areas
Macro mushrooms, also known as Agaricus urinascens or A.macrosporus, are large mushrooms with distinctive scaly caps featuring many ochre-coloured patches. The gills underneath the cap are initially greyish-white, maturing to dark brown. The stem is notably scaly towards the base, with a fine white particle coating all over. The mushroom's odour is almond-like when young, maturing to a more ammonia scent with age.
Macro mushrooms are often found in woodland areas, particularly on grassy roadside verges, pastures, woodland edges, and grassy woodland clearings. They are also found in similar environments, such as fields and meadows, and are widespread but infrequent in Britain. They are often found in clusters, with caps ranging from 8 to 30 cm in diameter and stems measuring 10 to 14 cm in height.
The Macro Mushroom is a safe and edible variety of fungus, with a mild taste similar to button mushrooms. It has a fleshy texture and is best when cooked, as the cooking process removes the slightly unpleasant ammonia smell.
One notable variety of Macro Mushroom is the Macrocybe titans, the largest mushroom species in the Western Hemisphere, found growing in Georgia, USA. This variety has caps exceeding 100 cm in diameter and is often found in clusters within the tropics and subtropics of the New World, including the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America.
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They are similar to horse mushrooms but have a scaly cap
Mushrooms are fungi, a separate kingdom of life from plants and animals. They are often used and served as vegetables in recipes. They are low in calories but pack plenty of nutrients. They are a good source of vitamin D, selenium, and B6.
Horse mushrooms (Agaricus arvensis) are a type of mushroom-forming fungus of the genus Agaricus. They have a cap that is 7-20 cm (3-8 in) across, whitish, smooth, and dry; it stains yellow, especially when young. The gills are pale pink to white at first, later passing through grey and brown to become dull chocolate. The stalk is 5-12 cm (2-4+1⁄2 in) long and 1-3 cm wide. The spores are brown and produce a dark brown spore print. Its odor is similar to almond extract or marzipan.
Horse mushrooms have a strong resemblance to deadly Amanita mushrooms, such as Agaricus xanthodermus, commonly known as the yellow stainer. Agaricus xanthodermus can cause stomach upsets and is characterized by chrome-yellow staining when bruised at the base. It is important to distinguish between these two types of mushrooms as they can easily be confused due to their similar appearance.
Some mushrooms that are similar to horse mushrooms but have a scaly cap include:
- Agaricus silvicola: This species looks practically identical to horse mushrooms but is usually found in conifer woods and is likely to be more slender.
- Macro mushroom (A. urinascens): This variety is very similar to horse mushrooms but can grow even larger, with a cap of up to 30 cm compared to the 25 cm cap of horse mushrooms. The base of the stem has wooly scales, and it smells of aniseed.
- The Prince (A. augustus): This mushroom has a cap of up to 25 cm and is cream-colored with brown scales. It has a club-shaped stipe with brown-tipped shaggy fibers when young, and its gills progress from white to brown to chocolate.
- Meadow mushrooms (Agaricus campestris): These mushrooms have whiter, smoother caps of a less regular shape, usually with smaller scales. The stems are 1-4 inches tall, whitish to light brown, and often taper to a thinner base.
These mushrooms share similarities with horse mushrooms but exhibit notable differences, particularly in the scaliness of their caps.
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Macro mushroom photography is popular, with many techniques to capture their unique details
Mushroom macro photography is a popular hobby for many nature enthusiasts. The unique shapes, colours, and textures of mushrooms make them an appealing subject for photographers. Autumn is the best time to capture the beauty of these fungi, as the forest floors come alive with a variety of mushrooms, from bright red fly agarics to tiny mycena mushrooms. The increased rainfall and moderate temperatures create the perfect conditions for their growth.
To get started with mushroom macro photography, you don't necessarily need a macro lens. Any lens that can get relatively close will allow you to take beautiful photos. However, a dedicated macro lens with a 1:1 magnification ratio is ideal for filling the frame with smaller mushrooms. A 105mm macro lens is a popular choice as it allows photographers to stand a short distance away while still achieving crisp detail. Other options include the 90mm f3.5 macro lens, which offers 2x magnification, or a cheaper telephoto lens with macro capabilities. You can also enhance your setup with macro filters, extension tubes, and adapters for extra magnification.
One of the challenges of mushroom macro photography is lighting. Mushrooms often grow in dark, damp areas, and their overhanging parts can create shadows that block the view of the gills or 'lamellae'. To capture the intricate details of these structures, photographers need to control the lighting to manage shadows and exposure. Using a single white arm with a diffuser can help illuminate the subject evenly.
Another challenge is focusing on the entire mushroom due to its uneven surface and the narrow depth of field of macro lenses. A technique called focus stacking can help overcome this issue by taking multiple photos and stitching them together to create a sharp image of the entire mushroom. Additionally, photographers should pay attention to the framing and surroundings of the mushroom. Cleaning up the area around the mushroom, such as removing distracting leaves or twigs, can help create a more aesthetically pleasing composition.
Mushroom macro photography requires patience and a keen eye for detail. It involves spending hours crawling around the forest floor, peering under logs, and pushing aside damp leaves in search of tiny fungi. However, with the right camera equipment and knowledge of fungi, photographers can capture the magical beauty of mushrooms and share their unique perspective with others.
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Frequently asked questions
Macro mushrooms are a small group of mushrooms that are part of the Fungi kingdom. They are scientifically known as Agaricus urinascens or A.macrosporus.
The cap of the macro mushroom is scaly with many ochre-coloured patches. The margin tends to become toothed and/or split. The gills are greyish-white when young and mature to dark brown. The stem is scaly towards the base and has a fine white particle coating.
Macro mushrooms are found in grassy areas such as pastures, woodland edges, and clearings.
Mushroom macro photography is a popular hobby. To get started, you'll need a camera with a dedicated macro lens that offers a 1:1 magnification. You can also experiment with different focal lengths, such as 30mm or 60mm. The best time for mushroom macro photography is autumn, when there is an abundance of fungi in the forest.
