Ep. 51: Planet Fungi - Capturing Mushrooms with World-Famous Photographer Steve Axford

Today on Mushroom Hour we are blessed to have the chance to chat with international fungi photographer Stephen Axford.   

Watch the new "Planet Fungi - Northeast India" documentary made by Steve Axford and his partner Catherine Marciniak: https://www.planetfungi.movie/   

Stephen is an ambassador for Sony Australia and has an international reputation as a specialist in nature photographer with a particular passion in macro fungi photography. He also has a unique expertise in time-lapse photography of fungi. The beauty and scientific accuracy of Stephen’s fungi photography have captivated national and international media, fungi experts and the general public, with a following that stretches from Patagonia to Vladivostok. His photographs have appeared in international books and magazines, including: Nat Geo Magazine in Spain/Portugal, Geo Magazine in Germany, Roots Magazine in Holland, Guardian Observer [UK], Daily Mail UK, Civilization Magazine of Beijing in China and Sciences et Avenir science magazine in France to name just a few. In recent years, Stephen has shared the science of fungi and his experiences photographing fungi to packed houses in presentations in Australia, China and Chile. A new direction in his work is his collaborations with international universities and fungi organizations to photograph and document fungi in forests around the world.   

Topics Covered:

• Origin Story of Steve Axford  
• Mushrooms of Australia  
• Secrets of Fungal Photography  
• The Breakout into Worldwide Recognition  
• Fungal Diversity in Yunan, China  
• Hidden Fungal Hotspots in Southeast Asia  
• "Planet Fungi" Documentary  
• Fungi as a Nutrition & Economic Resource  
• Exploring Assam & Meghalaya in Northeast India  
• Time-lapse Photography  
• Partnership with Catherine Marciniak  
• Australian Fires & Fire Obligate Fungi  
• Sharing the Mystery, Wonder and Appreciation of Fungi with Others  
• Future Documentary Plans  

Episode Resources:   

• Steve Axford Website: https://steveaxford.smugmug.com/  
• "Planet Fungi" Documentary: https://www.planetfungi.movie/  
• Steve Axford & Catherine Marciniak IG: https://www.instagram.com/planet_fungi/  
• Mycena Interrupta (Mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycena_interrupta  
• Mycena chlorophos (Mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycena_chlorophos  
• Aseroe Rubra (Mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aseroe_rubra  
• Panaeolus Axfordii (Mushroom): https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Panaeolus-axfordii-sp-nov-a-b-Basidiocarps-in-their-natural-habitat-c-Basidiospores_fig1_339459453