by Bella Erakko
Everyone asks about the “Magic Mushroom,” with its inviting under-cap glow. One almost expects psychedelic effects to emote from the framed image of this solitary mushroom in a darkened landscape. What makes this photo extraordinary is the fact that Barry does not do digital enhancements to manipulate images. In this case, he used old-fashioned dark room techniques. So how does he do it?
“I used a tripod so the camera won’t move. I took 15 close-up pictures, adjusting the depth of field so different parts of the mushroom were in focus. Then I waited until a little before dark and I lit the mushroom with a flashlight—a 4- to 5-second exposure moving the flashlight around.”
Back home, Barry overlaid the 15 images so that all parts of the mushroom were in sharp focus. Finally, using Photoshop, he erased areas where the light had bled onto and around the mushroom cap, so that all the light in the final image was captured on the underside. This old-school technique intrigues Barry. So, lovers of Barry’s “Magic Mushroom,” now you know the photographer-magician’s secret … a tripod, a mushroom, a camera, a flashlight. And a dark dark night.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm.
