5 Send us your shots and star in our photo gallery

With more time on our hands, we’ve all had the chance to be creative at home

We’re working hard every issue to include the best possible variety of projects, tips, tricks and inspirational photography within our pages. But in recent weeks we’ve also been delighted to see our readers attempting some of the techniques we’ve been showcasing in the magazine – so we’ve decided to share more of these images with everyone.

Photography is such a great diversion from the pressures of everyday life, and more so than usual in these unpredecented times. Whatever kind of images you like shooting, we’d like to see them – why not try a new genre, using inspiration from our features or Photo Active? Share your images via social media or email and we’ll run our favourite images in next month’s gallery. In the meantime, here are some reader images to savour.

1 ‘101 Freeway’ by Wojtak Zagorski (above)

Shooting from this spot gave me a great perspective to capture the theme of Los Angeles by night. My purpose was to create a wide, dynamic frame consisting of the 101 freeway painted with the streaks of white and red lights, leading towards the illuminated skyline.

Although it was difficult to include the tall palm trees in the foreground while photographing from such a close distance, they turned out to be a perfect element, filling the frame and suiting the theme. The dynamism of the capture was strengthened by fast-moving, dramatic clouds right above the city, reflecting the lights coming from the buildings.

Digital Camera says: Everyone loves a vibrant and well-captured long-exposure image, and this shot from Wojtak of the freeway leading to LA doesn’t disappoint. There’s detail across the entire image, and the leading lines of both the road and car lights take you right in. The slightly neon feel of the reds, purple and blue give it a modern finish.

2 ‘Star Trails, St Augustine’s Church’ by Phil Lewis

I’m lucky enough to live over the road from this church. I set up the intervalometer built into my Sony A7 III to take 70 images. While this didn’t produce the densely packed star trail images that are common, I really like the end result. I set the camera at f/8 so that I could try to get a little depth of field to keep the foreground in focus; in Aperture Priority mode, that gave me a 10-second exposure per image.

I have taken a few more shots over recent weeks as lockdown has eased, but the lack of traffic pollution has also kept the air nice and clear.

Digital Camera says: This is a great subject to practise on. We love the simple dual-colour scheme in this photo: the warm bottom half showing the church and wall illuminated by street light, and the cool midnight blue tones of the night sky.

3 ‘Fox Yawn’ by Jasmine Kamal-Pasha

Close encounters with wild animals are just magical, and they’re even better when they laugh at your jokes! This is our confident local dog fox, taking a moment of rest and having the world’s biggest yawn.

I could have watched him all day, and he wasn’t even doing much. I find myself lost in a spiral of thoughts about what might be going through his mind. A fascinating creature, with whom we’re so lucky to share our world.

Digital Camera says: Great timing from Jasmine here. Using a soft focus to blur the background and foreground brings full attention on this tired fox.

4 ‘Penmon Point’ by Jonathan Clarke

I set out with the plan of shooting a star trail. Unfortunately I choose the wrong location, and the clouds soon moved in. I was beginning to pack away when the sky suddenly erupted into colour, and one of the most spectacular sunrises I’ve ever seen. I shot three exposures and merged them in Lightroom.

Digital Camera says: As Bob Ross would say, what a happy accident. It’s great to set out with a goal in mind, but even better when you can be versatile and adapt to what’s in front of you.

5 ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ by Peter Baker

This photo was set up on the kitchen worktop, with a stone from the garden, scissors from my wife’s sewing kit, and paper from my stock of photography props. I am pleased with the lighting, which has been achieved by putting my flashgun into the end of a roll of black card, then pointing it as a spotlight.

Digital Camera says: We love how the silver, gold and black complement each other here. We imagine a tricky set-up has led to this simple but effective shot.

6 ‘Nettles’ by David Kelbie

When lockdown was imposed, I wondered what I would do. As I live near the Water of Leith in Edinburgh, I thought this would give me inspiration. Although I don’t normally photograph plants, I was inspired by all the wild flowers and weeds I saw. To achieve this look I used Nik Analog Efex Pro. I will print a book of images so that my experience of the pandemic is kept for posterity.

Digital Camera says: When it feels like you are limited for choice, your creative side seems to kick in. Photographing weeds has obviously given David a great project to work on, and fill some downtime when outside access has been restricted.