Wild and blown out of proportion in large format, the slime molds that the British photographer makes Barry Webb the shots appear atmospheric and sculptural. Stemonitisfor example, looks like dozens of thin pieces of wire with the ends covered with colored wax. But this fungus-like form is one of hundreds of slime mold species and typically only reaches a height of up to two centimeters. Thanks to Webb’s macro photos, we get up close to a phenomenally beautiful world that is otherwise virtually invisible.
Scientists have documented hundreds of these organisms, which despite the name, are not actually related to plants, fungi, animals or fungi. They are a unique group in their own right, more closely related to amoebas. And new discoveries are being made all the time. From mottled gray orbs that resemble snow-covered trees to pink, coral-like tendrils, Webb describes a huge range of colors and shapes. He also consistently submits images to local and national botanical archives so that researchers can access high-resolution images.
Webb’s depiction of a species called Lamproderma scintillanspartially engulfed by a drop of water, won the Botanical Britain category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards. A number of his photographs can be seen in large format in the exhibition Mythos Wald bee Gas meter Oberhausen in Germany, which will continue until the end of the year. And in the UK you can see Webb’s award-winning photographs at the International Garden Photographer of the Year 2026 exhibition at Cambridge University Botanical Garden. Find more about him Instagram.
