What a difference a lens makes.
In our August newsletter, we explore some eccentric fungi and how different lenses can transform your photos. Plus, we have updates on our outreach campaign, as well as international screening dates and locations for
FOLLOW THE RAIN and FUNGI: WEB OF LIFE.
Pseudocolus fusiformis, stinky squid
In January 2022, one of our fellow fungi enthusiasts tipped us off about a fascinating find –Pseudocolus fusiformis, also known as the ‘stinky squid’, popping up out of white egg-like structures in a woodchip pile aside a nearby suburban road.
This funky fungus emits an intense odour resembling rotting flesh laced with an acidic chemical tang, potent enough to notice from several meters away. It’s not just for show; that foul stench attracts flies and insects that help spread its spores.
This stinkhorn species is found in North America, East Asia, and Australasia.
Excited to capture this cool fungus in a time-lapse, we collected some eggs and created what we hoped was a growth-inspiring environment for them in our fungarium.
The failure rate for forest fungi time-lapses is high, but this particular fungal character was kind to us. It gracefully unfurled out of its egg into the most exquisite structure, a time-lapse showcased in the opening sequence of our new feature documentary, FOLLOW THE RAIN.
After the time-lapses, we moved the substrate with its mycelium to our property's rainforest restoration area, as it is a native fungus where we live.
While most people use mulch to nurture their garden, we use it to nurture stinkhorn fungi.
Yesterday, after the first decent rain in weeks, we decided to head out and see what fungi might have popped up. Our reward is a mulch pile erupting with Pseudocolus fusiformis.
This mushroom always elicits a smile. Why on earth does a mushroom need to look like this? We reckon it's just showing off, saying, "I can, so I will."
Their arrival is the perfect opportunity for Stephen to demonstrate how different lenses can change the story of a mushroom.
For Stephen's lens tips, keep scrolling!
See FOLLOW THE RAIN in Europe in October
FOLLOW THE RAIN SELECTED FOR TWO EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVALS
We are absolutely ecstatic to share that FOLLOW THE RAIN has been chosen to be featured at the INNSBRUCK NATURE FILM FESTIVAL in Austria and the EKOFILM INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL in the Czech Republic.
It's such an honour for our documentary to be part of the program for these prestigious events, and we're grateful for the opportunity to shed light on the incredible world of fungi.
In AUSTRIA - FOLLOW THE RAIN will be the OPENING NIGHT FILM on October 9 at the INNSBRUCK NATURE FILM FESTIVAL. You can catch additional screenings on the closing day, October 13, and a special screening for schools during the festival. Ticket details and more information will be available soon at https://naturefestival.eu/en/film-2/
Over in the CZECH REPUBLIC, we're thrilled to be part of the 50th EKOFILM INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL from October 1 to 6. It's truly a privilege to be part of this festival, which was the first in Europe to focus on the environment and natural and cultural heritage. If you're in the area during October, be sure to check out the film and get your tickets from https://www.ekofilm.cz/en/
JOIN US ON TOUR IN TASMANIA
We'll be screening FOLLOW THE RAIN in Tasmania, a part of Australia that has shown us much MUSHLOVE. This is a fantastic opportunity to see our film on the big screen and participate in a Q&A session with Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak.
We'll try to answer your burning questions about fungi, Stephen’s time-lapses, our fungi filmmaking, and the mind-expanding fungal science we explore.
Don't miss this chance to be a part of it all!
The Hobart screening is sold out, but there are still tickets available for Queenstown, Launceston and Stanley.
19/09/2024 6.00 PM - STANLEY TASMANIA - Stanley Town Hall with Q&A with Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak - tickets here or ring Circular Head Council 6452 4803. Sales at the door welcomed, but it might sell out, so please book to make sure you can get in.
22/09/2024 3.30 PM - QUEENSTOWN TASMANIA - The Paragon Theatre with Q&A with Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak - tickets here
26/09/2024 6:00 PM - HOBART TASMANIA - State Cinema – with renowned Tasmanian mycologist Genevieve Gates joining filmmakers Catherine Marciniak and Stephen Axford in the Q&A – SOLD OUT
27/09/2024 7:00 PM - LAUNCESTON TASMANIA – Star Theatre with Q&A with Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak - tickets here
Thanks to our Tasmania tour sponsors: Bellendena Small Grants, Wilderness Society, The Anchorage and The Paragon Theatre Queenstown.
To stay up to date on international screening, streaming, and broadcast opportunities, follow us https://www.planetfungi.movie/follow-us
If you are an international streamer or broadcaster interested in screening Follow the Rain, please contact Natalie Lawley at Escapade Media.
The first two screenings in Melbourne, Australia of the IMAX documentary
FUNGI: WEB OF LIFE sold out in a flash
This documentary features Merlin Sheldrake (author of the bestseller Entangled Life) and is narrated by the legendary Björk and features time-lapses by Stephen Axford, Wim van Egmond and Patrick Healey.
It is currently screening worldwide. Find your closest IMAX or DOME cinema here https://www.fungimovie.com/theaters
If you want to see it on an IMAX screen in Australia, please contact the Sydney and Melbourne IMAX cinemas to find out when it will be scheduled.
You can also request an on-demand screening here in non-IMAX cinemas here https://www.fungimovie.com/theaters
Image 1: Sony a7r5 with a Sony 90 mm Macro Lens, focus bracketed
STEPHEN’S PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A LENS MAKES
The arrival of a cluster of Pseudocolus fusiformis in our mulch pile is a perfect opportunity for me to use five different lenses to explore how different focal lengths can change a photograph’s composition and story.
Let’s dive into the results
Image 1: Sony a7r5 with a Sony 90 mm Macro Lens, focus bracketed
Close-Up Detail and Isolation
The 90 mm macro lens is my go-to for capturing sharp, detailed close-ups. In this shot, I used focus bracketing to bring out every intricate detail of the stinky squid's structure. The lens’s telephoto nature compresses the space in the frame, making the cluster of mushrooms appear more prominent against the blurred background. This shot is all about the fine textures and patterns—perfect for showcasing the odd beauty of this fungus.
Image 2: Sony a7r5 with a Sony 50 mm Macro Lens
Balanced Detail with Environmental Context
Switching to a 50 mm macro lens gives me a bit more room in the frame while still capturing detailed close-ups. Here, the stinky squid is shown in its natural setting, with just enough of the environment included to give context. This lens strikes a nice balance between focusing on the mushroom’s form and telling a broader story about where it lives. For this particular specimen, I actually prefer this portrait—it gives a more complete picture of the mushroom's world.
Image 3: Sony a7r5 with a Sony 20 mm Wide Angle Lens
Emphasising Environment and Scale
The 20 mm wide-angle lens offers a completely different perspective, capturing more of the surrounding environment, placing the stinky squid within the broader landscape. The mushroom appears smaller in the frame, emphasising its place within the larger ecosystem. This shot shows how the subject relates to its surroundings and gives a strong sense of scale.
Image 4: Smartphone camera with Inbuilt Lens
Accessible and Spontaneous Capture
A smartphone camera with an inbuilt lens can be surprisingly capable. This shot of the stinky squid was taken quickly, capturing the mushroom in a straightforward, candid way. While it doesn’t offer the same level of detail or control over depth of field as a dedicated macro lens, it’s convenient and gets the job done. The colours are natural, and the image is sharp enough to show the mushroom’s unique features clearly. This setup is ideal for spontaneous photography, where you want to document a find quickly and easily.
Image 5: Smartphone camera with SANDMARC 100 mm Lens
Enhanced Mobile Macro Photography
Adding the SANDMARC 100 mm lens to a smartphone camera significantly boosts its macro capabilities. This combo lets me get much closer and capture finer details. However, composition becomes more challenging since the distance between the camera and the subject is crucial for focus. I also used additional lighting to enhance the depth of field. Despite these challenges, the stinky squid is depicted with impressive clarity, showing off its textures and vibrant colours. This setup is a great example of how mobile photography accessories can elevate your images, bridging the gap between convenience and quality.
Conclusion
Whether you're using professional gear or enhancing your smartphone with external lenses, understanding the strengths of each lens can really shape the story you want to tell through your photos. By choosing the right lens, you can highlight the details, context, or environment that best convey the narrative and aesthetic you’re aiming for.
The SANDMARC 100 mm lens on a smartphone boosts its macro capabilities
Download our free How to photograph and describe my fungus field guide.
Remember to upload your photographs and observations to iNaturalist to help expand the knowledge of species identification and distribution.
For more advanced photography tips you can stream Stephen Axford’s
Masterclass in macro fungi photography
or watch this free video on YouTube about Focus bracketing with the Sony α7R V.
WALL ART FOR PLANNING AND DREAMING
Miraculous Mushroom Calendar 2025 is here!
Enjoy Stephen Axford’s stunning portraits of fungi, complete with fascinating facts.
This twelve-month calendar is available now at bookshops and online.
Our publishers are committed to sustainability, planting over one million trees and eliminating single-use plastic.
Possibly a Pholiotina sp. It was a single specimen growing in soil after this week’s winter rains.
FOLLOW THE RAIN: Impact Campaign Update
FUNGIBLITZ
From mid-September to mid-October, PLANET FUNGI joins forces with FUNGIMAP on the 2024 Annual Australian Fungi Bioblitz. This is a wonderful citizen science initiative.
Since 1985, FUNGIMAP has inspired and supported citizen scientists to record and map fungi in Australia. They spread the word about fungi's essential role in biodiversity and advocate for fungal conservation and investment in mycology.
In September and October, FUNGIMAP will be providing many opportunities for FUNGIBLITZERS to:
Attend workshops to learn more about fungi,
Learn how to collect and identify fungi in the wild,
Find out how to use DNA sequencing to identify fungi in the lab, and
Contribute to recognised fungi databases such as iNaturalist, and The Atlas of Living Australia
PLANET FUNGI will assist FUNGIMAP with videos and photos to help you get the best photos possible with your available camera.
There will also be screenings of FOLLOW THE RAIN to complement FUNGIBLITZ – follow us to stay updated about these opportunities.
FUNGIMAP will also host a series of Webinars each month in August, September, and October. Check their website and social media for details - https://fungimap.org.au/
Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, the flower pot fungus growing from a tree fern truck
FOLLOW THE RAIN FOR SCHOOLS
To coincide with FUNGIBLITZ and the final school term for 2024, we have partnered with Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) to pilot our Follow the Rain educational package in schools from October. If you are a teacher or student and would like to pilot the resources ATOM and Planet Fungi have prepared in your classroom, Email ATOM, book a phone call with ATOM, email ATOM, and Join the ATOM mailing list for educators
We will be launching FOLLOW THE RAIN educational package nationally in 2025.
FOLLOW THE RAIN RECEIVES OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
We've been blown away by the incredible support for Follow the Rain. The screenings have been selling out left and right!
The response has been amazing. Thank you to the hundreds of people who have joined us on this cinematic journey into the world of fungi.
The Q&A sessions have been lively, with fascinating discussions about the latest in fungal science. We're thrilled to see so much interest in these amazing organisms!
Stereum ostrea enjoying the winter showers
FOR OUR UK FOLLOWERS
Exciting news for our UK friends! The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has new information boards featuring some of Stephen’s fungi images and other wonderful photographers. Stephen’s photographs will also be part of a fungi exhibition opening at the Gardens on August 1. Check it out.
Hope you enjoy this month’s updates! See you in September for the Fungiblitz and more! 🍄
A little character we met fungi hunting down by the creek
Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii, Eastern Water Dragon
SUPPORT FUNGAL RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
If you would like to support more research into, and conservation of, this fascinating, important, but understudied area of science, there are three organisations that we partner with, who work tirelessly in these areas.
AUSTRALIA - Big Scrub Conservancy Foundation
INTERNATIONAL - Fungi Foundation
Every little bit helps.
You can also find us on Instagram and YouTube - @Planet_Fungi.
Hope you enjoy this month’s updates! Happy fungi hunting! 🍄