Taking Mushroom Pictures
Tips,Hints and Downloads
Here is some info on taking mushroom pictures that some may find helpfull in their picture taking. feel free to use and share any info, links and programs listed here.  
 
 
Ideas and info for taking good mushroom pictures.  
try these ideas when taking pictures of mushrooms for Identification and for your personal collection.  
I use a couple of different digital cameras up to the 5.5 megapixel size range.  
 
General picture taking ideas  
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1- First off, get a couple extra rechargable batteries and a car charger so you can have a couple charged batteries and one always charging while you are out.  
 
2- Also ALWAYS TAKE HI-Resolution quality pictures in the highest quality and largest picture format you can. This will ensure you have the best quality picture possible.  
 
3-  It is easier to reduce the size and quality of the picture later on to suit your needs. It's always easy to reduce  the picture later from a high quality picture, Then to try and make better quality pictures from one that is low quality.
 
4- use a tripod if available, or use somthing to help steady the camera so you dont get a blurring of the  picture.  
 
5- take several pictures form different angles, With and without a flash. You can always delete pictures you dont like later on. I find this handy when I check my pictures later on. It never fails that a lot of  
pictures I take. End up being blurry, Out of focus, To dark or to light, Etc etc etc. And with multiple  
pictures. You have more to choose from.  
 
6- When I go out to take pictures. I may take  up to a couple hundred pictures and then when editing  
 and cleaning them up later on, I may only keep like 30-50 pictures and then get rid of the rest of  
 them.  
 
7- check your picture compostion, Angle of picture, Any background items you may or may not want in the picture. You would be suprised how easy a near invisible blade of grass, Piece of trash, Stick, leaf  or other kind of item can screw a good picture. You can always remove debris, or even add intersting looking stuff like leaves, Flowers, Other mushrooms or anything else you think may make the picture better.  
 
For taking pictures to help Identify a mushroom  
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1- take a couple different pictures of the mushroom from different angles and sides. Sometimes a  
 mushroom may look better from a different angle than it does from another angle.  
 
2-I usually use the close-up macro setting for these pictures.  
 
3-I also carry  white and a black pieces of plastic that are 24" x 24" to take pictures of the mushrooms on. This will help to give a good color contrast when taking the pictures.  
Ie: dark colored mushrooms on a light background. or light colored mushrooms on a dark  
background.  
 
4- Take a couple pictures of the top of the mushroom or mushrooms.
 
5- Take a couple pictures of the sides of the mushrooms.  
 
6- Take a couple pictures of the bottom of the mushroom that shows the stalk.  
 
7- Take a couple pictures of the gills or pores or bottom of the cap of the mushroom.  
 
8- Take a couple pictures of the mushroom after it has been cut in half lengthwise to show the inside of the mushroom. ( Several types of mushroos may have hollow stems or other specific interior  
identification aspects that sets them apart from other mushrooms.
 
9-Take a couple pictures again of the inside of the mushroom after it has been cut in half and allowed to be exposed to the air. many mushrooms will stain or turn different colors after being cut or touched and this can help also to identify the mushroom.  
 
10-Also note where the mushroom is growing at. What kind of trees or shrubs next to it. Whether it is growing in sun / shade. Or if it is growing in the dirt, Or on wood, or leaf litter.  
 
11- Also take a spore print. This is a great asset in Identifying mushrooms.  
 
here are a couple good small sized Picture programs that are very helpfull in resizing, cropping and editing your pictures. These are direct downloads of the programs.  
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Irfan view.  
One of the best and easy to use picture editing programs. I highly recommend this one  
http://www.cpros.com/~woofer/programs/Irfanview.exe  
 
Irfan view plugins, A good option to get with this program  
http://www.cpros.com/~woofer/programs/Irfanview_plugins.exe  
 
Photo sledgehammer  
this is a neat program that will let you change the lighting contrast of your pictures. very easy to use  
 
and it has several preset filters that will adjust to preset lighting quality.  
http://www.cpros.com/~woofer/Photo_sledgehammer.exe  
 
 
Free Picture hosting sites  
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 To use to be able to share a picture or two with someone. Just follow instructions at the hosting site.  
 
http://imageshack.us/  
http://photobucket.com/  
http://tinypic.com/  
http://www.imagecave.com/  
 
Free Picture gallery hosts  
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http://www.webshots.com/  
http://www.picturetrail.com/  
http://www.snapfish.com/  
http://www.shutterfly.com/

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