Hartlepool amateur photographer's work featured by renowned lensman Rankin on Sky Arts show

David Coser, from Bishop Cuthbert, submitted photos for each of six categories for the Rankin 2020 competition and associated Sky Arts series.

He was over the moon when three were shortlisted out of thousands of entries and a self portrait was a finalist and was shown in an episode broadcast on Sky and freeview TV.

Rankin is one of the world’s most famous photographers having photographed celebrities and royalty from David Bowie to the Queen.

He put out an appeal for people’s photos documenting last year which was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

David, 45, said: "I’m a big fan of his. He’s one of the best photographers in the world.

“I submitted one photo for each category. It was a global competition and thought I probably wouldn’t hear anything back.

"I got an email back from Sky to tell me that three of my images had been shortlisted."

The six-part series saw Rankin joined by a different expert guest in each episode. David’s moody, black and white was shown in the second episode dedicated to the category Self.

He added: “I did it just in my flat. I was up against professional photographers from all over the world and just used a £5 backdrop off Amazon and spotlights in my ceiling and was featured.

"A lot of people were watching it at the time. I didn’t win but was over the moon.”

David’s two other shortlisted photos were of a couple at Seaton Carew in the Family category and an image of Crimdon Dene for the Nature section.

He heard about the competition through friend and photography mentor Francis Cox of Raw 35 studio in Whitby Street where he also volunteers.

David’s background is in art and he took up photography around two years ago.

He added: “It’s a big passion of mine. I have done it since I was a kid.

"I’m always out taking pictures in Hartlepool It’s what I enjoy doing; taking photographs of my home town and the people.”

David has self published two books of his work titled Hartlepool In Focus and Hartlepool Underexposed.

Rankin 2020 is available to watch on catch up on Sky.

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