Thank you to Sara Klingensmith for judging this years photo contest. The winners were announced at the October meeting. There were three categories to enter Pictorial, Documentary and Judge’s Option. Winner received a back issue of Fungi Magazine.

Pictorial: This division is for single photos that illustrate the beauty and variety of fungi in form and color. The objective is a photo suitable for display or illustration in a fine book. Judging criteria include consideration of both technical (focus, depth of field, exposure, lighting, color, absence of distracting elements) and artistic (composition, color, background, lighting) aspects.

Winners
Brianna Albert – Amanita muscaria
Barbora Batokova – Trametes versicolor
Stephen Bucklin – Microstoma floccosum
Josh Doty – Pholiota sp.
Richard Jacob – Metatrichia vesparium

Documentary: For single photographs especially suited as illustrations in a field guide or monograph, or for use in a lecture. Emphasis is placed on portrayal of key morphological characteristics such that the usefulness of the image as an identification aid is maximized. Subjects may be shot in the field, laboratory or studio and the photographer has complete freedom to process, manipulate, or orient the specimen in any desired manner to achieve the goal. Close-ups of single features and photomicrographs are acceptable. Judging criteria will be the same as in the Pictorial category but they will be of secondary importance to the overall mycological utility of the photo. Accurate identification of the subject will be a consideration.

Winners:
Stephen Bucklin – Hygrocybe miniata
Dirk Cappo – Mycena crocea
Cara Coulter – Gliophorus perplexus
Cecily Franklin – Amanita Amerirubescens Group

Judge’s Option: For photos which do not fit into the Pictorial or Documentary divisions. Examples include fungi in an interesting situation, fungi with animals, people enjoying fungi.

Winners:
Carson Gross – Fun with Xylaria
Mike Henry – Balsamic Chicken & Hen of the Woods
Dawn Wehman – Notophthalmus viridescens (newt) on a Russula virescens at Cook Forest