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Take a walk in the woods, and you’ll quickly notice fungi aren’t just a quiet presence; they’re at the heart of everything happening underfoot. This year’s International Garden Photographer of the Year competition puts that on full display with its World of Fungi category, once again reminding us why it’s such a highlight for nature photography lovers.
Tony North took first place with his captivating shot, “Amethyst Deceivers.” In the photo, two small purple mushrooms stand out brightly against the forest floor, while a curious fly investigates nearby. What makes the image even more impressive is Tony’s use of focus stacking, blending several photos to get every detail in perfect clarity. The end result is detailed, vivid, and impossible to look away from.
Łukasz Kiełtyka earned second place with “Painting Autumn.” His photo features a Russula mushroom nestled in moss, surrounded by delicate webs and fallen leaves. Bathed in golden-hour sunlight and softened by a gentle mist, the scene looks almost like a painting, more art than just a photograph.
Guizhong Guo took third place with “A Warm Family.” His image captures three small, unassuming mushrooms growing close together on an open patch of grass. There’s a quiet poetry to how they stand side by side, hinting at the cycles of life, growth, and the gentle rhythms of the natural world.
What sets this category apart is how it changes our perspective. These fungi aren’t just mushrooms; they’re the stars of their own little worlds, each one an ecosystem in miniature. Thanks to the creativity and patience of these photographers, we get to see just how extraordinary even the smallest forms of life can be.
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1. 1st Place: "Amethyst Deceivers" by Tony North
A pair of amethyst deceiver mushrooms with a fly exploring its world of fungi in the woods. Despite their purple colour these mushrooms are edible, however they are similar in appearance to the poisonous lilac fibrecap mushroom. This shot is comprised of multiple images, focus stacked together.
2. 2nd Place: "Painting Autumn" by Łukasz Kiełtyka
The photo shows a Russula fungus growing amongst mosses, dewy spider webs, and fallen autumn leaves. To capture a distinct painterly texture, I waited for the golden afternoon sun to illuminate the whole scene, then sprinkled a fine mist of water into the air using a garden sprayer.
3. 3rd Place: "A Warm Family" by Guizhong Guo
On the vast and boundless grassland, three dung-loving mushrooms nestled together as they grew, resembling a happy family. Rooted in the fertile soil gifted by nature, they stretched their caps under the warm sunlight, thriving freely and unrestricted. The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of earth and life, and showcased the wonder and harmony of the ecological cycle, silently narrating the untold stories of vitality on the prairie.
4. Finalist: "Parrot Waxcap" by Angi Wallace
We were so lucky to have around fifty parrot waxcap mushrooms show up in our garden – for the first time ever, and this is one of them. This shot is comprised of multiple images, focus stacked together.
5. Finalist: "Speed Growth" by Wil Meinderts
Devil’s fingers fungi (also referred to as octopus stinkhorn) captured emerging from their ‘eggs’. I used my special Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet lens, which creates a ‘sweet spot’ of sharp focus in the centre of an image, surrounded by gradually increasing blur – to accentuate how fast these fungi can grow.
6. Finalist: "Fungi Gathering" by Angi Wallace
In a local park, I liked how this branch had lots of young, tiny fungi all growing so close and thought they would make for an interesting image. This shot is comprised of multiple images, focus stacked together.
7. Finalist: "Dewdrops on Slime Moulds" by Barry Webb
In an ancient woodland, I discovered this pair of Didymium slime mould species, growing in leaf litter, following a misty night. They were under 2mm in height. To capture this shot required a five second exposure due to the poor light, deep under the tree canopy. To achieve maximum sharpness, I focus stacked multiple images together.
8. Highly Commended: "Spore Fog" by Enikő Kálovics
I had been waiting for the rain for a long time, and luckily it arrived in mid-September and lasted for two days. As a result, a multitude of mushrooms quickly pushed up from the ground. On the third day after the showers, I reached the forest at dusk and found that my mushroom model from the day before, was lying toppled on the ground.
9. Highly Commended: "Four Cribraria Slime Moulds" by Barry Webb
A cluster of three Cribraria rufa slime moulds, being overlooked by a single one. It gave me the impression that the single one was in ‘conversation’ with the smaller group of three; the tallest one was about 1.5mm high. This shot is comprised of multiple images, focus stacked together.
10. Highly Commended: "Orange Symbiosis on Birch" by Erik Nevels
In the quiet of the forest, where decay and renewal intertwine, a fragile orange fungus found its place upon the birch tree. This simple meeting of colour and texture reminds us that beauty often hides in the overlooked, where nature whispers her most profound truths.
11. Highly Commended: "Butter Cap" by Tony North
A butter cap mushroom captured growing in the woods. This shot is comprised of multiple images, focus stacked together.
12. Highly Commended: "Magpie Inkcap" by Ana Peiró Muñoz
The Coprinopsis picacea (magpie inkcap) is named so, due to its distinctive black cap with white patches, resembling the feathers of a magpie. It is found in nutrient-rich woodland soils across Europe, where it feeds on decaying wood and organic matter. It begins as egg-shaped and gradually expands into a bell shape, reaching up to 8cm in diameter as it matures.
13. Highly Commended: "Shelter" by Jay Birmingham
This photograph shows two fungi, with the larger appearing to shelter the smaller, when a single drop of water fell from its cap. Dozens of tiny droplets caught the light, which created a sparkling effect across the scene. I positioned a flash behind the fungi to highlight the textures and translucence of the caps and the droplets. The photograph explores the delicate interplay between protection, fragility, and the quiet beauty of small scale details in nature.
14. Commended: "Fairy Island" by Jay Birmingham
This photograph was taken at Wyming Brook in the Peak District. A small bonnet mushroom was growing on a tiny island in the middle of the stream, with a waterfall flowing behind it. I used a long exposure combined with a neutral density filter which created a smooth, milky effect in the water, while a subtle vignette draws the eye to the mushroom.
15. Commended: "Queen Zombie" by Minghui Yuan
In the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, I found a new generation Oecophylla smaragdina (ant queen), who had flown out of the nest but had not yet broken its wings, crawling on a branch. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that this queen had been infected with zombie-ant fungus. Once infected, the ant will lose its will and obey the control of the fungus, becoming a zombie, searching for an environment suitable for its growth. This fungus will quickly consume the nutrients inside the ant’s body, then establishing new colonies outside the body, growing long stalks, and spreading spores.
FAQs
What is the World of Fungi category in photography competitions?
The World of Fungi category shines a spotlight on mushrooms and fungi, both through the lens of science and art. This category is all about showcasing their natural beauty, unique shapes, and the vital roles they play in our environment. Photographers from around the world use close-up and creative photography to capture the tiny details and hidden wonders of these fascinating organisms.
Why is fungi photography gaining popularity?
Fungi photography is becoming more popular because it lets us discover a hidden side of nature. By using close-up lenses and imaginative lighting, photographers bring out the colors, textures, and tiny ecosystems that most people miss. These small subjects can be surprisingly captivating and can even evoke an emotional response.
What techniques are used in award-winning fungi photos?
To create award-winning fungi photos, photographers often blend different techniques. They might use focus stacking for crisp details, set up special lighting, or incorporate natural features like mist or sunlight. These methods help turn ordinary mushrooms into breathtaking images that tell a story.
Who won the 2026 World of Fungi category?
Tony North took first place with his photo "Amethyst Deceivers." This striking macro shot features two colorful mushrooms and a visiting fly, all set in a peaceful woodland. His attention to detail and artistic eye brought the scene to life.
What makes fungi important in nature photography?
Fungi are essential to healthy ecosystems because they break down dead matter and help plants thrive. Photographing them not only shows off their curious shapes and colors but also helps people appreciate how important they are in the natural world.
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