However, to show some characteristic features of fungi (fruitbody, pileus) it is sometimes necessary to take the mushroom out of the ground.

Fungi and their characteristic features

1. Mushrooms are usually a few centimetres tall, however their size varies from millimetres to several centimetres; thus photographing mushrooms is considered as macrophotography.
2. Most species of fungi grow on the ground, with fruitbody grow up to several centimetres above the ground level – this requires photographing almost from the level of the ground.
3. Fungi are usually round, cylindrical or oval in shape, this make it difficult to provide maximum depth of field.
4. Fungi have various textures – some are smooth and shiny, others are matt, some are dry, while others are mucous.
5. Mushrooms have different colours – many shades of brown, red, yellow, green and grey. Because there is not much light in the woods, in order to capture subtle differences in colour, you have to shoot at a very small aperture, which will mean long shutter speeds.
6. Fortunately mushrooms do not move which makes it much easier to photograph them with long shutter speeds.

• You need equipment which makes it possible to use long shutter speeds, 30 seconds and longer, with manual setting of aperture and focus.
• Tripod is indispensable. It makes it possible to shoot at a very small aperture and long shutter speeds. When choosing a tripod pay attention to its weight and size (it should be easy to handle in the woods). You need a tripod that is close to the ground so you can get a squirrel's eye view of a mushroom. Without a tripod you will risk the possibility of camera shake and a blared image.
• Always set the focus manually.
• Flashlight is not necessary – when you use artificial light the colours of the photographed objects may not seem unnatural in the picture.
• When choosing your equipment remember it should be lightweight.

GPS navigation
During your trips to the woods a GPS receiver may appear handy. GPS receivers receive satellite signals used to indicate the user's location anywhere in the world. Information is stored in the receiver’s memory and appears on a display screen.  The so called  track log indicates where the user has traveled.  It also includes points of interest saved and titled known as waypoints. 

Photographing technique
Every photographer develops his or her own technique. However in case of macrophotography, and photographing fungi is considered as such, the best effects may be observed when both aperture and shutter speed are set manually. Focus should also be set manually. Photographs should be taken from a tripod, with off the camera remote cord.

Information taken from www.grzyby.pl