Slime mould – a hidden wonderland brought to life in photos

Slime mould – a hidden wonderland brought to life in photos

Photographer Barry Webb offers a fascinating glimpse into the often unseen realm of slime mould through his striking macro photography. These extraordinary close-up images reveal details of single-celled slime moulds that are normally invisible to the human eye. Barry employs a powerful macro lens combined with composite imaging techniques to capture the intricate structures of these organisms, which can thrive in diverse environments ranging from forests to deserts.

Based near west London, Barry has garnered recognition for his captivating imagery, including winning the people’s choice award in the macro category at the British Photography Awards 2025 for his photograph titled “Glistening Slime Mould.” His work highlights the vibrant fruiting bodies of slime mould, where spores are produced and where their vivid colors create a dramatic effect. Through his lens, viewers can appreciate the complexity and beauty of these tiny life forms.

Barry first encountered slime mould in 2019 and admits he “didn’t know they existed” before that time. As a professional gardener with a passion for photography, the COVID-19 lockdown allowed him extra time outdoors to hunt and document these unique organisms. He explains, “It’s not fungi, it’s not a plant, it’s not animal. It’s more closely related to an amoeba.” The slime mould feed on bacteria, algae, and fungi, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Capturing slime mould photographs is a meticulous task, requiring sophisticated techniques to overcome the challenges posed by their minuscule size. Barry uses focus bracketing—a process involving taking dozens, sometimes over a hundred images with varying focal points—to create a single, sharply detailed composite. While he once had to manually adjust the focus for each shot, modern camera technology now automates this process for him. “It’s all clever stuff,” Barry notes, describing how these advancements have made producing such detailed images possible

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