Cloning Morel, Not Easy!

[Indigo November]

Have you ever cloned a morel mushroom? If you have you'll know that it's not an easy task! Especially hard when you only have, *cringe* photoshop 5...... But you know how it is, you get so caught up in the beauty that you forget to watch out for the ugly. I know now to watch for stuff like this, especially with morels.

Here's a shot I took two years ago, there are two VERY obvious pieces of greenery in front of it. This shot has had me crying and ripping my hair out, not to mention the several hours spent in *cringe* photoshop 5.

BEFORE


AFTER I know it isn't perfect but it's close enough for me!


So, basically clone-stamped for hours and then increased contrast a bit.

[Evn1ngStar]

You must have the patience of the proverbial saint.

[FocalFrenzy]

You did an excellent job on this. I've been searching for the last 2 weeks for the perfect morel shot. It seems like either the mushrooms are too small or there is no way to get the right shot. I don't want to "stage" it, but I may have to. I'll make sure that there isn't anything between the lens and the morel.

[Indigo November]

Originally Posted by Evn1ngStar

You must have the patience of the proverbial saint.

Haha, not quite! Photoshop cs5 would have made this so much easier. But I'd rather be more careful shooting that spend the couple thousand bucks. I wouldn't even have saved the image if it hadn't been for the face, see, it looks like the morel has the face of a man.

[Indigo November]

Originally Posted by FocalFrenzy

You did an excellent job on this. I've been searching for the last 2 weeks for the perfect morel shot. It seems like either the mushrooms are too small or there is no way to get the right shot. I don't want to "stage" it, but I may have to. I'll make sure that there isn't anything between the lens and the morel.

Really? I'm no PS expert, that's for sure! Some advice for finding your perfect morel shot. Obviously plucking or snipping the grass around it is a must, just try not to leave the ground bare. If possible come back to the small mushrooms the next day, some will not grow much more but most will. Just don't leave them for more than two days, or they will dry out. OK, don't know what your situation is, but if you harvest morels be sure to shake them and knock there spores loose all over the ground. If you knock a lot of spores in one area you'll get wonderful clusters next year. If you leave the morels were they are you'll get lots of clusters next year! Morels are complicated and elusive subjects, so much to think about. I know I could give you more advice but I can't think of any more right now, I'll post more when I think of it.

I found a cluster of six today, just waiting for them to grow a bit more. I'll post some photos of them tomorrow or the day after. So excited!

[FocalFrenzy]

Thanks for the advice. I always use a mesh bag when hunting "shrooms" and also pour the water I wash them in, on a spot behind my house ( just in case there are some extra spores). Nothing, so far, but maybe next year.