Myco-

  • (prefix): Relates to mushrooms and fungi, derived from "mycology," the study of fungi.

-neer

  • (suffix): Similar to 'pioneer,' indicating an innovator or explorer in a specific field.


Why subscribe?

Meet Joseph, a mushroom hunter, traveler, and photographer who shares his stories and photos of fungi.

On the Acland Falls Track, Peel Forest, Canterbury, New Zealand

With a sharp eye for spotting different mushroom species and a passion for exploring their habitats, he offers readers a unique glimpse into the world of mycology.

Photographing a red bioluminescent Mycena sp. at Bukit Gasing, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I never set out to document fungi. I just kept noticing them popping up in unexpected places on walks through Aotearoa’s forests or clinging to rotting wood on a foggy morning in Malaysia’s rainforests. I’d stop, take a photo, and later look them up.

That curiosity stuck. And over time, it’s become something more. A pull toward understanding the hidden, often ignored lives of fungi through photography.

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Mushrooms are fleeting. Some appear for a single morning. Others, only after the right mix of rain, rot, and chance. But once you start looking down, you realize just how much is constantly unfolding underfoot.

I shoot with an Olympus EM5 Mark III and an M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 macro lens, often on damp forest floors or buried under leaf litter, hoping to catch those brief moments before a cap collapses or a veil tears.

In 2023, I started Myconeer as a way to share what I was seeing and learning. Since then, I’ve photographed hundreds of species, written field notes, and sent monthly fungi newsletters to subscribers around the world. I’m especially drawn to bioluminescent fungi.

For me, this work is about paying closer attention, slowing down, meditating, and evolving my photographic process. I hope my photos and writing invite people to pay closer attention to the minuscule and the environment around them.

You can also follow along at @myconeer or find me on iNaturalist


For inquiries about purchasing a digital file for images for either personal, academic, or commercial use, please feel free to contact me at joseph.pallante@gmail.com

Digital images are typically priced between $30 to $120 (depending on the use case).

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By joining, you'll be part of a passionate community of fellow mycophiles who share a common love for these fascinating organisms.

Let’s discover the world of fungi together.

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By supporting me, you're helping me to continue exploring and documenting these fascinating organisms. 

Your contribution helps fund equipment, travel expenses, and other necessary costs associated with creating and sharing my work.

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Exploring fungal biodiversity one encounter at a time.

People

I take macro photos of fungi (mycography) and write about nature.