Boswachterij Dorst

Why Boswachterij Dorst works for macro photography

Boswachterij Dorst lies between Oosterhout and the village of Dorst, in the middle of the sandy landscape of Noord-Brabant. The forest combines extensive conifer woodland with areas of deciduous trees and open heathland. That variety creates a wide range of ground conditions, and with it a rich diversity of fungi. Especially in autumn, from mid-September to late November, you find yourself in a world of fly agarics, porcini, ink caps, and dozens of other species.

The light in the forest

Conifer forest filters light in a way that is very useful for macro photography. Direct sunlight just after sunrise gives long shadows and warm tones, but also creates harsh contrasts on small subjects. Overcast conditions often work better: the light is soft and even, without hard transitions on the delicate structure of a mushroom. A light morning mist adds atmosphere and keeps the background calm. That is exactly the kind of condition Dorst regularly offers in autumn.

Compositions and focal points

For fungi, you go low. Very low. Lying flat on the forest floor is not unusual. Shoot at the eye level of the mushroom rather than from above. That gives you the characteristic background of soft, out-of-focus trunks and ferns, instead of a cluttered forest floor. A 90mm or 100mm macro lens gives you working distance, so you do not disturb the subject or have to get too close. With a shorter macro lens, such as 50mm, you need to move in much closer, which becomes tricky with smaller specimens.

Pay attention to the background before you focus. A bright gap in the trees behind your subject can be distracting. Step half a metre to the side and check again. Small adjustments make a big difference here.

Practical information

There are several car parks along the Dorsterweg and the Bredaseweg. The forest is freely accessible and managed by Staatsbosbeheer. Stick to the paths when the ground is wet and vulnerable. Fungi may not be picked or damaged. Early in the morning on weekdays it is quiet. At weekends, Dorst attracts walkers and mountain bikers, which is less ideal if you want to move slowly and low through the forest.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer – Boswachterij Dorst
• Gemeente Oosterhout – Natuur en recreatie
• Nederlandse Mycologische Vereniging