“The World of Fungi”: Award-Winning Photos from the Garden Photographer of the Year

1st Place: “Amethyst Deceivers” by Tony North

A walk through the woods quickly reveals that fungi are far more than a subtle presence—they’re essential to the life happening beneath our feet.

This year’s International Garden Photographer of the Year competition highlights that beautifully through its World of Fungi category. Tony North won first place with “Amethyst Deceivers,” a sharply detailed, focus‑stacked image of two purple mushrooms and a curious fly, while Łukasz Kiełtyka’s second‑place “Painting Autumn” turns a Russula mushroom into a golden, mist‑lit work of art. Third place went to Guizhong Guo for “A Warm Family,” a gentle portrait of three small mushrooms growing together in quiet harmony. Altogether, these photographs remind us that fungi aren’t just background elements—they’re tiny worlds of their own, made extraordinary through patient, creative photography.

More: Garden Photographer of the Year, Instagram

2nd Place: “Painting Autumn” by Łukasz Kiełtyka

3rd Place: “A Warm Family” by Guizhong Guo

Finalist: “Parrot Waxcap” by Angi Wallace

Finalist: “Speed Growth” by Wil Meinderts

Finalist: “Fungi Gathering” by Angi Wallace

Finalist: “Dewdrops on Slime Moulds” by Barry Webb

Highly Commended: “Spore Fog” by Enikő Kálovics

Highly Commended: “Four Cribraria Slime Moulds” by Barry Webb

Highly Commended: “Orange Symbiosis on Birch” by Erik Nevels

Highly Commended: “Butter Cap” by Tony North

Highly Commended: “Magpie Inkcap” by Ana Peiró Muñoz

Highly Commended: “Shelter” by Jay Birmingham

Commended: “Fairy Island” by Jay Birmingham

Commended: “Queen Zombie” by Minghui Yuan