Tree Fungus

[John Mitchell]

I was walking around the other day in search of something new to photograph and saw some interesting looking fungus growing on a tree trunk. "Hmmm...," I thought, "that might be a good subject for Alamy."  I just did an Alamy search for "tree fungus," and over 9000 images (including many that look remarkably similar to mine) came up. Do images like this sell that well on Alamy? Or would buyers more likely go to a specialist agency for nature shots like these?

[Arletta]

Good question and I'm wondering too. After last walk in woods I have a lot of new mushrooms for sale. I feel bad when think I need to edit them, find ID when: "I just did an Alamy search for "tree fungus," and over 9000 images (including many that look remarkably similar to mine) came up".

Is it enough if I call them just "edible" or "toxic"?

[Robert M Estall]

many fungus are visually spectacular but present so differently as they mature very quickly that they can be difficult to identify. I once took some slides of mushrooms which I was pleased with to my neighbour who was a botanist. He wouldn't stick his neck out which rather put me off for life. Regardless, I do have quite a few and can't recall ever selling any.

 

They make good photographs but sales might be slow.

[John Mitchell]

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

 

A lot of the tree fungus/fungi shots on Alamy look to be very good to my untrained eye. One would think that some of them might lease for textbooks and the like, especially if the proper scientific name is supplied.

 

There were many more searches for "mushrooms" during the same time period, but there also many more mushroom images available.

[John Mitchell]

 

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

 

 

Good researchers will probably go for the scientific name (due to often many "common name" synonyms for one species). Anyway, that's how I usually got mine sold here.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

That makes sense. Not surprisingly, many of the Alamy images have lazy captions such as "fungus on tree," which of course means they'll probably never sell.

[Martin P Wilson]

 

 

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

 

 

Good researchers will probably go for the scientific name (due to often many "common name" synonyms for one species). Anyway, that's how I usually got mine sold here.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

That makes sense. Not surprisingly, many of the Alamy images have lazy captions such as "fungus on tree," which of course means they'll probably never sell.

 

 

I would think they need at least the common name and/or their type e.g. "bracket fungus"  to stand any chance whatsoever of selling.

[Arletta]

Ok, I give up   Anyone knows that one pretty?

[John Mitchell]

Ok, I give up   Anyone knows that one pretty?

 

Good luck identifying that one. Perhaps you can find a guide to fungi/mushrooms that grow in your area, or wherever you photographed it. There is a lot of stuff online. Maybe you will see it here.

[Bhandol]

 

 

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

 

 

Good researchers will probably go for the scientific name (due to often many "common name" synonyms for one species). Anyway, that's how I usually got mine sold here.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

That makes sense. Not surprisingly, many of the Alamy images have lazy captions such as "fungus on tree," which of course means they'll probably never sell.

 

 

Here's one I captioned "Mushroom on forest floor"...and it sold last month...so never say never.

Parm

[John Mitchell]

 

 

 

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

Good researchers will probably go for the scientific name (due to often many "common name" synonyms for one species). Anyway, that's how I usually got mine sold here.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

That makes sense. Not surprisingly, many of the Alamy images have lazy captions such as "fungus on tree," which of course means they'll probably never sell.

 

 

Yep, the correct name(s) is crucial to make a sale. Remember that many fungi species have also several scientific name synonyms (old and new ones due to recent re-classifications).

 

   tinder bracket fungus / hoof fungus / tinder conk / tinder polypore / Fomes fomentarius / Polyporus fomentarius

Click on picture for larger view

 

Buy only very good quality (thus expensive) determination guides which cover ALL the fungi species in your country/region. Not just the common species, those books are worthless if the correct name is essential. In fact, it's best to buy at least two guides: one with drawings and another with pictures (several images per species).

Believe me, determining fungi is very, very time-consuming

 

Little tip: always take an extra picture of the underside, just for determining purposes if you name them afterwards at home

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

Very nice composition. Do you ever use flash (I'm not a fan) for shots like these?

 

P.S. Wise folk, those Croatians.

[John Mitchell]

 

 

 

 

 

Alamy Measures (All of Alamy) shows only one search for "fungus tree" / "fungi tree" during the past year, which I suppose is not an especially good sign.

Good researchers will probably go for the scientific name (due to often many "common name" synonyms for one species). Anyway, that's how I usually got mine sold here.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

That makes sense. Not surprisingly, many of the Alamy images have lazy captions such as "fungus on tree," which of course means they'll probably never sell.

 

 

Yep, the correct name(s) is crucial to make a sale. Remember that many fungi species have also several scientific name synonyms (old and new ones due to recent re-classifications).

 

   tinder bracket fungus / hoof fungus / tinder conk / tinder polypore / Fomes fomentarius / Polyporus fomentarius

Click on picture for larger view

 

Buy only very good quality (thus expensive) determination guides which cover ALL the fungi species in your country/region. Not just the common species, those books are worthless if the correct name is essential. In fact, it's best to buy at least two guides: one with drawings and another with pictures (several images per species).

Believe me, determining fungi is very, very time-consuming

 

Little tip: always take an extra picture of the underside, just for determining purposes if you name them afterwards at home

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

Very nice composition. Do you ever use flash (I'm not a fan) for shots like these?

 

 

Thanks

Nope, no flash but I use a small silver/gold reflector to light up the shadows.

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

 

Thanks for the tip(s). I had one of those reflectors once upon a time. Have no idea what happened to it. Shall look into getting another one.

 

As you can tell, I'm planning an autumn walk in the woods. I'm sick of city streets. It's "back to nature" time for me.

[John Mitchell]

You can easily make one yourself.

• get a white piece of cardboard
• turn some aluminum foil into a ball
• stretch it out again but leave the small wrinkles
• glue it to the cardboard

Now you have a white/silver reflector which doesn't roll over like the commercial round ones

 

Cheers,

Philippe

 

PS: you don't need sunshine to use a reflector. Even has effect on overcast days.

 

 

Thanks again. Shall give this DIY model a try. I remember being frustrated with the circular reflector.

 

We have plenty of overcast autumn days here on the Pacific Coast, fortunately.

[Arletta]

 

 

Here's one I captioned "Mushroom on forest floor"...and it sold last month...so never say never.

Parm

 

 

 

 

Your "Mushroom on forest floor" looks like very delicious Macrolepiota procera.

 

I love that mushroom! If you prepare it in egg and breadcrumbs and fry it, it tastes like joint (loin?) Sorry for my english

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I give up   Anyone knows that one pretty?

 

Good luck identifying that one. Perhaps you can find a guide to fungi/mushrooms that grow in your area, or wherever you photographed it. There is a lot of stuff online. Maybe you will see it here.

 

 

 

Thanks for this link. I went throught all this 67 pages and found nothing. Searching for it all the day... And most weird thing is that this mushroom grows everywhere in Polish forests! Loads of it, all forest floors are full of that mushroom. I've found every other, I've found lichens and mosses... but not this one plant, grrr.

[clupica]

 

 

 

Here's one I captioned "Mushroom on forest floor"...and it sold last month...so never say never.

Parm

 

 

 

 

Your "Mushroom on forest floor" looks like very delicious Macrolepiota procera.

 

I love that mushroom! If you prepare it in egg and breadcrumbs and fry it, it tastes like joint (loin?) Sorry for my english

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I give up   Anyone knows that one pretty?

 

Good luck identifying that one. Perhaps you can find a guide to fungi/mushrooms that grow in your area, or wherever you photographed it. There is a lot of stuff online. Maybe you will see it here.

 

 

 

Thanks for this link. I went throught all this 67 pages and found nothing. Searching for it all the day... And most weird thing is that this mushroom grows everywhere in Polish forests! Loads of it, all forest floors are full of that mushroom. I've found every other, I've found lichens and mosses... but not this one plant, grrr.

 

 

It also looks a lot like a death cap / destroying angel.  

...............

 

John, I have two sets of small reflectors that I take to the woods with me.  One of them is the 8 in 1 reflector kit from Lastolite.  It has a handle and is roughly triangular in shape, so it doesn't roll. It also has a belt loop and is small enough to pack in my camera bag.  (8" circular when collapsed and around 18" when open.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/501676-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR3596_Mini_TriFlip_8_in_1_Collapsible.html - about $90 (ouch)

 

I also carry with me a set of a-clamps from the hardware.  Sometimes there's something handy to clip the reflector to. The reflector set gives me the ability to do an "on-black" and "on-white" shot on the spot.  (This is where the second set of reflectors come in handy) 

[Arletta]

Thanks for try but none of that two...

 

I took the image in central Poland, but I see them near my house in North - East forests as well (Masuria). This is very popular mushroom. It grows from the ground, not dead trunks. It has gills under cap and it is around 5-15cm in cap wide. I just asked my friend where does he meet that fungus mostly, he says: "it's everywhere!" 

[Bhandol]

 

 

 

Here's one I captioned "Mushroom on forest floor"...and it sold last month...so never say never.

Parm

 

 

 

 

Your "Mushroom on forest floor" looks like very delicious Macrolepiota procera.

 

I love that mushroom! If you prepare it in egg and breadcrumbs and fry it, it tastes like joint (loin?) Sorry for my english

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I give up   Anyone knows that one pretty?

 

Good luck identifying that one. Perhaps you can find a guide to fungi/mushrooms that grow in your area, or wherever you photographed it. There is a lot of stuff online. Maybe you will see it here.

 

 

 

Thanks for this link. I went throught all this 67 pages and found nothing. Searching for it all the day... And most weird thing is that this mushroom grows everywhere in Polish forests! Loads of it, all forest floors are full of that mushroom. I've found every other, I've found lichens and mosses... but not this one plant, grrr.

 

Thank's Arletta, You've sent me in the right direction and yes I agree with you, it's a parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera),    .....and your written English is better then mine.

Parm .....

[Bhandol]

Thanks Clupica, I can now see how they can be confused, but the death cap doesn't have that distinct chocolate snakeskin pattern on it's stem/stipe.

 

Parm

[John Mitchell]

You need a champignonchampion.

 

definitely not me, I'm a champignonchump

[Arletta]

I can't I'm affraid. I didn't get used to destroy nature if I don't need to touch it. My mistake... I think I have to change that since now.

[Arletta]

 

Or lay flat on the ground, try to add also a little bit of the pores/gills and the head-stem connection (also key determination point of interest) in the frame.

 

Be careful though when lying flat on the ground in the woods. I almost gave a woman a heart attack when she saw a pair of legs sticking out from the bracken during her early morning walk in the mist. She thought she discovered a corpse

 

Lol! I love that

 

Yeah, I know. I almost had a heart attack lately... My man came closer asking to not move now, his hand closer to my hair, almost on my face.. that was very close meeting with some spider monster! My goodness, thankfully nobody was around when I was screaming I mean, I like spiders, but only about 1 meter from me... and not on my face!

I wish clients appreciate how it is hard to take photo of mushroom sometimes

 

About the mushroom, I think I'll stay with Paxillus filamentosus.

[Arletta]

Good idea, I'll try to contact them. Needles are confusing me too.

 

 

Edit.

Thay want only fresh mushroom on their table. Not a picture. Jokers!

 

Alamy, do you have any specialist here somewhere?