Warwick photographer named 'potato photographer of the year'

The competition as in aid of charity
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A photographer from Warwick has been named 'potato photographer of the year' after entering a competition.

Ray Spence who has lived in the Warwick and Leamington area for around 12 years, recently entered the competition by Photocrowd, which asked people to 'artistically capture the beauty of a potato' as an activity to take part in during lockdown.

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It was open to anyone with an interest in photography and/or potatoes.

Ray Spence who won the competition. Photo submittedRay Spence who won the competition. Photo submitted
Ray Spence who won the competition. Photo submitted

The competition was launched to help raise money for the Trussell Trust - a food bank charity - during lockdown.

Ray's entry shows a potato getting a 'hair cut'.

Judge Nigel Atherton said the following about Ray's photo on the Photocrowd wesbite: "This picture manages to introduce a topical lockdown obsession to the brief of photographing a potato.

"It takes a great imagination to see a sprouting potato as a head covered with hair, and there is a lot of humour in the way the picture has been executed."

Ray Spence's winning photo. Photo by Ray SpenceRay Spence's winning photo. Photo by Ray Spence
Ray Spence's winning photo. Photo by Ray Spence
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Ray, who has been a photographer for 40 years - including being a lecturer in photography - entered the competition and was named the winner.

He said: "I entered the competition to support the charity the Trussel Trust in raising money for food banks.

"It feels a bit surreal but rather good to win."

"I would also like to thank Ben Brain for organising the competition and the work he has put into raising money for the charity.

"It was a good distraction in lockdown and I'm chuffed to have won a new camera donated by Fuji, so my thanks to them.

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"Hopefully it has made people smile in what is a difficult time for many."