A PHOTOGRAPHER from Tetbury has been commended in the finals of a prestigious nation-wide landscape photography competition.

Anthony Mitchell, 42, of Sherwood Road and a freelance photographer under the brand Ayalem Photography, received a commendation at the Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year competition for his photo of a flock of sheep at a misty sunrise in Rydal, Cumbria.

Anthony’s photo was commended under the Classic View category, which does not allow photographers to make any major corrections to the photograph.

He said: “I feel absolutely amazing. I am still in shock. This year was the first time I decided to enter the competition, so I’m delighted to get the result that I got. It’s really good for exposure.”

Describing his highly commended photo, he said: “It was very much an opportunistic picture. I spotted a misty field on my travel and thought it looked nice, so I asked the local farmer if I could take a couple of pictures.

“The sheep in the photo are all looking at the camera. I haven’t done anything for that to happen. It was also a surreal moment with all the mist.

“I like that the photo is quite surreal. It looks almost painting like. It’s very natural in colour. It encapsulates the British country and the area I grew up in.”

The Tetbury man took up photography five years ago when his partner was struggling with cancer.

He said: “For me, it’s the peace of the job. I struggled over the years with the pressure and my partner being ill was something that was difficult to deal with.

“In previous jobs, because of the nature of the profession, you often tend to be in a situation where you are bullied and pushed around. I wanted to work for myself for a while and be appreciated for what I do.

“Photography for me was an escape to enjoy life.”

Prior to photography, Anthony worked for a car leasing company and ran a wine shop for ten years.

In his photos, Anthony focuses on landscapes and nature. But he also takes commissioned photos for events and architectural work. “Whatever pays the bills,” he said.