Autumn at Barlaston Downs
A landscape photography blog by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography.
A couple of weeks ago I was on Cannock Chase, and autumn had yet to kick-off. It was mid-November and instead of returning to the Chase I decided to go and have a look at the Barlaston Downs Banks and see what was on offer there.
I arrived before sunrise and made my way up to Millennium Point. From that location the sun would be rising behind me. Whilst I didn’t think I was in for an epic sky I was fairly sure there would be some breaks and the trees should then catch some nice light . . . if it broke early enough.
It was quickly apparent that I was in for a decent morning. The light was nice. The trees were turning, and there was the added bonus of a bit of mist in the valley, and along the River Trent.
Whilst waiting for the sun to pop up behind me I took the opportunity to get a few wider shots of the skyline, and layers of the land. The sky had a nice blush to it, and I’d got views of The Wrekin, and Long Mynd in the far distance poking out through the mist.
In short order the much anticipated light arrived, and I wasn’t disappointed. The golden light mixed with autumn colours and the early morning mist was beautiful, and I just filled my boots.
I was very happy with the images I got from this morning. On reflection, and probably (hopefully) as my landscape photography skills improve I came to the conclusion that on days such as these I should try and be a little less “snap happy”.
I think that on occasions such as these I need to slow down a touch more, work the compositions harder, and be more selective. After all it’s conditions such as these that help to make those portfolio worthy images.
You can view more images from the Downs Banks, and my gallery of other Staffordshire locations.
