Once again, Rebecca Miller has judged the annual WPMC photo contest. Here are the winners, in the order in which they were announced.

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.

1st Place   Dick Dougall: Inocybe tahquamenonensis – The Black Mushroom
2ed Place   Fluff Berger: Gymnopus dryophilus – Oak-Loving Collybia
3rd Place   Cecily Franklin : Amanita banningiana – Yellow Caesar

Documentary

For single photographs especially suited as illustrations in a field guide, 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 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.

1st Place   John Plischke III: Exsudoporus frostii – Frost’s Bolete
2ed Place   Fluff Berge: Schizophyllum commune – Split Gill
3rd Place   Cecily Franklin:  Pholiota aurivella – Golden pholiota

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. Nearly anything goes, so long as fungi are a key element of the photograph.

1st Place   Shirley Caseman: Greek Dip with homegrown Oyster mushrooms
2ed Place   George Banyas: Fly on Mushrooms
3rd Place   Brian Johanson: Laccaria amethystine – Amethyst Deceiver

Pictorial 1st Place: Dick Dougall: Inocybe tahquamenonensis – The Black Mushroom
Pictorial 2nd Place: Fluff Berger – Gymnopus dryophilus – Oak-Loving Collybia
Pictorial 3rd Place: Cecily Franklin – Amanita banningiana – Yellow Caesar
Pictorial 4th Place: Lon Schnauffer – Amanitas
Documentary 1st Place: John Plischke III – Exsudoporus frostii – Frost’s Bolete
Documentary 2nd Place: Fluff Berger – Schizophyllum commune- Split Gill
Documentary 3rd Place: Cecily Franklin – Pholiota aurivella – Golden pholiota
Judge’s Option 1st Place: Shirley Caseman – Greek Dip with homegrown Oyster mushrooms
Judge’s Option 2nd Place: George Banyas – Fly on Mushrooms
Judge’s Option 3rd Place: Brian Johanson – Laccaria amethystine – Amethyst Deceiver