Warwickshire News Mine

http://www.enjoywarwickshire.com, the official county tourism website, asked members of the public to submit their best images of Coventry or Warwickshire to the Warwickshire Photograph Competition 2008.

Entries simply had to be tourism related – promoting Warwickshire and encouraging visitors to the area.

The competition had four categories with prizes being offered by local businesses for each category winner. All winners also received a framed print of their winning image, framed by The Old Post Office Gallery in Leamington Spa.

A panel of judges sifted through the hundreds of high quality entries and decided on the below winners for each category;

People and events category
Zebby Clemons, 40 from Fenny Compton submitted the winning image of a friend’s son - Aaron (5) - all the way from Glasgow, having fun at Warwick Castle. This was taken on a Nikon D40X Digital SLR. Judges realised that it was a well thought out photo, and portraying effectively a fun day out in Warwickshire. With perfect focus and composition, the image gives a great sense of play with the boy in the foreground having fun dressing up as a medieval knight, and the out-of-focus but recognisable turrets of Warwick Castle rising up in the background. It describes a typical day out for a child and what could be expected when visiting one of the county’s well known landmarks. All in all a great photo promoting the county and encouraging visitors to the county.

Zebby wins the prize of a Fuji camera, case and memory card to the combined value of approx £160.00, from the category sponsor Camerama, a camera and electrical goods shop based in Kenilworth.

Landscapes and countryside category
Nick Cockman, 24 from Warwick, submitted the serene winning image titled ‘Stratford Swan’. Nick says "it was taken on a Nikon D50 camera and Sigma 18-200 Lens, no filters were used (although I do normally). The picture was taken in the morning shortly after sunrise on a very cold morning. It was very foggy which gives the colours & effect on the sun bursting through the trees". Judges liked that the photo has excellent mood and tone - conveying a completely tranquil scene. The graceful swan is also reflected perfectly on the water. Technically good, the image contains good light exposure and is well composed.

Nick chose as his prize professional monitor calibration software to the value of £85, from the category sponsor Cheryl Doshi Photography Ltd of Leamington Spa .

Landmarks and tourism attractions category
John Newman, 60, from Northend submitted the winning photo ‘Mists at Warwick Castle’. It was taken on a Canon EOS 5D, ISO 200, Exposure 1/800, Aperture f16, Focal length 115 mm, (Sigma 28 - 300 mm). John said "I have been interested in photography sine my early twenties. Cameras I have owned in chronological order - Halina Paulette Electric, Canon SLRs - T70, EOS 600, EOS 10D and EOS 5D and I still have them all!"

This is an excellent photo and was judged to be the best image submitted due to a number of factors that the judges were looking for. The photo won as it is an unusual take on a well known tourist attraction. A striking, dramatic photo bringing the rainforests to Warwickshire! Brilliantly done, and giving an interesting sense of place and mood.

John wins the prize of a family ticket to any tourist attraction in Warwickshire of his choice, and for any date. John chose to see ‘A Winters Tale’ in July 2009 at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford upon Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company have kindly donated the tickets to this performance.

Junior/Young persons category
Raphaella Philcox, 10, from Leamington Spa submitted the winning image titled ‘Dawn Conference’. Taken on the Suspension Bridge across the River Leam to Jephson Gardens, in Leamington Spa, Raphaella took the photo earlier in the year on her way to Kingsley Junior School. Asked as to why it is called Dawn Conference, she replied it’s because she goes to school when the sun is just rising! The photo was taken on a small compact digital camera - an Olympus Camedia 360.

Judges liked that the photo is a well spotted opportunity seen by the photographer, and is exceptionally well exposed with excellent composition. This was infact one of a number of particularly impressive images submitted by Raphaella, that had the judges in a quandary as to which one should be awarded the top spot.

Judges even commented on how she should strongly consider becoming a professional photographer as she obviously has a natural talent and good eye for a photograph! Raphaella is obviously a talented young girl and a deserved winner for the Young Persons category.

Raphaella wins as her prize an image of her choice printed onto a 24" x 16" piece of canvas to hang proudly on her wall, from the category sponsor WhoArtNow in Leicester. This she chose as a photo of her cat Bubbles!

Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to this competition, demonstrating the vast array of views and scenes to be enjoyed around Warwickshire.

“The many excellent entries to the competition prove just how many sights there are to see in the county, giving a perfect teaser to any tourists wishing to visit Warwickshire.”

All entries are on display within galleries at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/photocompetition2008

Link to WCC