Potato Photographer of the Year returns for 2021!

(Image credit: Photocrowd)

After the huge success of the inaugural competition last year, the Potato Photographer of the Year returns for 2021. The competition may not take itself too seriously, but like last year its proceeds will go to a very worthy cause – helping to tackle food poverty in the UK.

The Potato Photographer of the Year competition is an ideal opportunity for photographers to get their creative juices flowing. If you find taking portraits of potatoes appealing or love using extension tubes to capture your tubers, this is a fantastic chance to win some great gear and to contribute to a good cause.

Read more: Best lenses for food photography

The competition is presided over by an esteemed panel of judges including Magnum Photos legend Martin Parr. Up for grabs are prizes worth over £2000, including a Fujifilm X-T200 kit with XC15-45mm lens, a Think Tank Advantage XT camera case, Photocrowd ‘Master’, 'Pro' and 'Challenger' subscriptions for one year, a Mindshift Rotation 180 Horizon backpack, a Fotospeed Framed print, a one-day photography workshop with Digital Camera magazine columnist Benedict Brain and a ThinkTank Retrospective 7 v2 shoulder bag.

Ray Spence / Potato Photographer of the Year 2020 — Ray Spence's winning image last year, entitled 'End of lockdown' (Image credit: Ray Spence)

Last year's winner was Ray Spence, who walked away with prizes including the Fujifilm X-A7 thanks to his inspired image 'End of lockdown'.

For ideas, inspiration and techniques check out our 10 tasty food photography tips. Entries are already being accepted and the closing date for submissions is 18 July. Winners will be announced on 12 August.

All entry costs (from £5 per single entry) will be donated to the Trussell Trust, a food bank charity that aims to end food poverty in the UK. For more details or to enter the competition visit the Potato Photographer of the Year's home on Photocrowd.

Laurence is an NCTJ-trained journalist with nearly 20 years' editorial experience gained on a wide range of publications, from The Beirut Times in Lebanon to The Sunday Times, and including recent freelance engagements with Future's cycling and automotive portfolios, Outdoor Fitness, and The English Home. He has recently been undertaking a sports broadcast journalism MA at Southampton Solent, gaining valuable TV and radio experience, and am currently videographer for Frome Town FC soccer team. He is the author of Bikepacking (Wild Things Publishing, 2016).