Chiaroscuro
The Subject:
This solo fungus , (possibly Entomola Species), is spot lit by a tiny shaft of light breaking through the rainforest canopy.
The Location:
Found and photographed along a track at Swan’s Crossing in the Kerewong State Forest , west of Kew , NSW, Australia, right at the end of autumn.
The Making of Chiaroscuro:
This photograph (and more), are THE best fungi shots I have made so far. I was out with the Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club’s most knowledgeable and experienced fungi hunter and used long exposures with natural light for almost every shot.
Fuji S9600: Manual settings of f/8 @ 3.7sec, Macro, Manual focus, Tripod, Timer.
Lightroom 1.1 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Fungi & Lichen collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more fungal delights.
NOTE:
18-02-09
Thanks to Edwin Catania I have discovered a new photographic term – Chiaroscuro – that basically means light-dark.
UPDATE: 14-4-09
This beautifully lit fungus has won a Merit Certificate in the Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club’s March 2009 Open Competition in the Large Colour Print section.
UPDATE: 24-4-09
This spot lit mushie took out 1st Prize the 99th Annual Wauchope Show’s Photography Competition in Still Life – Colour section.
Enjoy!
FUNGI: SWAN’S CROSSING
(Click the links!)
Entomola Sp
Chiaroscuro belongs to the following groups:
** Super Macro Photography (Two Per Day ), Former DPF Members, Fungilicious, New South Wales Photography and Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence! Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
kalaryder
That is so delicate and the lighting is superb. Well spotted
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Kala,
So nice to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you are the very first Bubbler to comment on this solo sunlit fungus.
Thank you heaps for your most encouraging ”...lighting is superb…” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Thordis
Good light on the fungi. Great composition.
GB Thordis
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Thordis,
Lovely to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
Many thanks indeed for your most encouraging ”…Great composition.” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
GB
Dennis
Heather Rinehart
I have never seen such an appealing fungus. Nice job.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Heather,
How good to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
Thank you so much for your most encouraging ”…appealing fungus…” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Marvin Collins
Excellent image Dennis, the light is superb!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Marvin,
Great to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
Muchos gracias for your most encouraging ”…light is superb!!” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
GB
Dennis
Edwin Catania
This work encompasses an impeccable composition and chiaro-scuro presentation. Tree roots savour the background with mellow highlighting-
--well done Dennis!Dennis Gay replied
G’day Edwin,
So good to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
Merci beaucoup for your most encouraging and supportive ”…impeccable composition…” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
GB
Dennis
Rosie Appleton
Not so much into fungi Dennis, but this is lovely :-)
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Rosie,
Very nice to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
Thank you lots for your most encouraging ”…this is lovely…” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
Oh it’s a whole new world of colours, textures, shapes and light when you get into a rainforest on a fungi hunt. Don’t write it off or you will miss out on yet another photographic experience. 8-)
GB
Dennis
GailD
Brilliant lighting Dennis. Well taken.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Gail,
How lovely to see you along the Swan’s Crossing track on my fungi hunt and that you have spotted this solo sunlit fungus.
My warmest thanks for your most encouraging ”Brilliant lighting…” wrap for my fungilicious photography.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 18-02-09
In a gesture of thanks to Edwin Catania for teaching me a new photographic term – Chiaroscuro – that basically means light-dark, I have changed this photograph’s title to Chiaroscuro.
GB
Dennis
Anthony Vella
Fantastic work Dennis. Excellently composed, lighted and executed work my friend.
Dennis Gay replied
Ciao Toninu.
Happy to have you with me on my fungi hunt and that you have caught sight of this little gem.
Thank you heaps for your enthusiastic and encouraging “Fantastic…” comment for this down-to-earth fungal photography.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 14-4-09
This beautifully lit fungus has won a Merit Certificate in the Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club’s March 2009 Open Competition in the Large Colour Print section.
My warmest thanks to all who have supported this work. Without such encouragement and support it may well still be languishing somewhere deep on my hard drive never to see the light of competition.
GB
Dennis
CynLynn
wow!! this is amazing! looked thru your shots, just fantastic!! Mushrooms are one of my favs, and your work is excellent!
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Jour Cyn!
Glad you could put up with the damp, the leeches and the mud to get a look at this spot lit fungus.
Merci beaucoup for your very supportive and encouraging “wow!!...” wrap for my solo performer.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites and my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 24-4-09
This spot lit mushie took out 1st Prize the 99th Annual Wauchope Show’s Photography Competition in Still Life – Colour section.
A big THANK YOU to the show Judge and to all who have supported these works. Without such encouragement and support they may well still be buried deep in my hard drive never to see the light of competition.
GB
Dennis
Ciaran O'Hagan
Great lighting, very sad feel to the photo….well captured!
Dennis Gay
Hola Ciaran!
Nice to see you made it to Swan’s Crossing for the fungi safari.
Muchos gracias for your uplifting and most encouraging “Great…” wrap for this spot lit solo fungal performer.
I suppose it is because it is alone, the shape of the top of the fungus, like an old floppy hat and the leaning attitude of the stipe that gives you that sense of sadness.
GB
Dennis
copperhead
Lovely shot of this, the lighting is spectacular! This looks much like my favorite edible kind here..a wild-nutty flavored parasol variety :) Nicely done!
Dennis Gay replied
Aloha COPPERHEAD!
I hope you brought plenty of Leech repellent for our Swan’s Crossing fungi safari.
Many thanks indeed for your uplifting and very encouraging ”...Nicely done!” wrap for my Entomola’s star turn.
I only eat the ones from supermarkets or restaurants. 8-)
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day denidab .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Reriginal .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis