Photography enthusiasts create blue soup to help marine charity

A photographic community based in Shropshire has raised hundreds of pounds for a marine charity by turning blue for a week.

PhotoSoup, run by north Shropshire photographer Jon Morris, is a free, online based group which has weekly challenges for members to take part in.

Jon gives members skill advice and tips each week, for both mobile phone and camera users, and once a year has a charity challenge.

"We set a theme and members can make an optional donation for their entries into the week's challenge," he said.

"This year's challenge was the theme blue in support of the Blue Marine Foundation. It works to protect marine ecosystems and tackle overfishing by creating marine protected areas, promoting sustainable fishing and restoring damaged ocean habitats."

"Each year I am blown away by the creativity and wonderful photos that get submitted from our 'soupers'. This year was no exception and they also smashed the fundraising target, raising a whopping £684 and still counting. It is the highest we have raised in just one week - not bad for a small photography community."

"I'm so proud of what we have all achieved and I'm sure the Blue Marine Foundation will be made up with our efforts."

Members of the group posted an eclectic mix of photos, from bluebells and blue skies, to bottle tops, blue Lego pieces, raindrops on blue car panels  and even blue méringue mix as well as abstract entries.

Members joked that they had become obsessed with noticing blue everywhere but agreed they loved the challenge.

The three winning entries were Jacqui Brand-Lloyd (dandelion), Tanya Draper (Crystal Ball on a towel), Juanita Swart (Bluebell).

Although PhotoSoup is based in Shropshire it has members from across Britain and beyond.

A video of the challenge entries and how to join the PhotoSoup group is available at photosoup.co.uk or on Facebook.