Barlaston Downs Banks
A landscape photography blog by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography.
I’ve visited the Downs Banks numerous times over the years. What I’d failed to understand however, was that I’d only explored about a third of the area, and that the parts I hadn’t explored have some stunning views of the Shropshire Hills. The likes of The Wrekin, Long Mynd, and Titterstone Clee to name but a few, are all clearly visible with some half decent weather conditions. I only found this out by accident due to the car park being full at the weekend. With no room to park I ended up in a lay-by at the north-east end and the rest as they say is history.
I’d had to spend the previous two weeks in self isolation after sharing a car with my brother-in-law, who the very next day tested positive for Covid-19. During that isolation period I was fearful that autumn may just pass me by, so I was very pleased to see that at the Downs Banks there was still plenty of colour around.
Today was shooting sunrise. Actually, yesterday I was also at the Downs Banks, but for sunset. Lets just say that one didn’t work out too well. A fifty-fifty weather forecast, and a mad dash from work to a location I don’t know that well ended in two minutes of light, an absolute soaking, and no images. So here we are again . . .
Barlaston Downs Banks autumn sunrise.
The forecast was for clear skies, but I wasn’t too fussed about that. I was hoping that as the sun rose behind me it would catch some of the trees, and give me the opportunity to get some contrasting shots of the sunlit oranges, and yellows against the greens, and other trees that weren’t catching the light.
All in all it was a good morning, as I’ve said I don’t know this part of the Downs Banks, so I just put on the 24-70mm, and shot the “vista”, as the light changed. There was a bit of mist around, but it didn’t really form enough. When it does I suspect that could produce some pretty special shots.
Sadly this morning was a work day so I didn’t have a chance to explore further, but I’ll definitely be back at the weekend to get my bearings, and hopefully capture some more images of the autumn colours.
You can view more images from the Downs Banks, and my gallery of other Staffordshire locations.
