As is frequently the case for me, I will see something out of the corner of my eye, and have an immediate urge to photograph it.  That is precisely what happened last Tuesday at the Santa Fe Farmers' Market.  I was initially on the hunt for greens and assorted salad ingredients that have become less available as the growing season wains between 6,000 and 7,000 feet elevation.  But the sight of the most elegant and texturally gorgeous oyster mushrooms for sale from Reyah Sunshine Farm in Chimayo grabbed and pulled me into their orbit.  They were my major purchase at the market.    

mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 2 2026

One of my favorite backdrops for anything that is full of texture, is a flat black fabric.  It doesn't distract from but instead lets the subject makes its own statement.  The oyster mushrooms had so much to say and show that black was required.  All the photographs in today's blog were shot in natural light, with no fill  or flash of any sort.  Some almost have the feel of deep ocean creatures.   

mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 3 2026 mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 5 2026 mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 6 2026

I used the natural duff and leaves for the backdrop in the next three images.  The hue of the golden yellow leaves in the trees above filled the area, resulting in a completely different photographic feel.  But the profound effect of the yellow of the aspen tree leaves hanging on the trees still surprised me.

 In the first photograph, I gently altered the tint, making it slightly less yellow than the one below it.  

mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 7 2026 mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 8 2026

This is one for my "forest primeval" series - dark, moody, and curious.  It was made when the sky was mottled with clouds.    

mushrooms and fungi - oyster mushrooms 8 2026

"It is the best possible sign of a color when nobody who sees it knows what to call it."  

--John Ruskin, 1859, English polymath

Thanks to Christina W., Steve, Terry T., Jean & Sam, Louise & Jim, Kay, Tim A., Dave, Pater, John P., Lisa S., Marilyn G., and Bill & Sue for writing about last week's blog.  As we move into late autumn and even early winter in some areas, I hope there is abundant joy and photographic opportunities for you.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©