Behind the Lens

Welcome to my landscape, nature, and wildlife photography blog.

Here you'll find all of the latest images, and commentary by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography. Read on to find out about where I've been, and what landscape, nature, and wildlife subjects I've been photographing.

Rob Thorley 18/08/2020 Rob Thorley 18/08/2020

The Roaches Sunset

I’m not sure why I was surprised to find that it had been almost twelve months to the day since I’d been on The Roaches in the Staffordshire Peak District, but surprised I was. Tonight was all about getting back into the swing of landscape photography, and there’s not many better places local to myself than The Roaches to do that.

Rob Thorley 31/07/2020 Rob Thorley 31/07/2020

Foel Quarry

Today’s location was Foel Quarry, which sits above the village of Capel Curig, on the eastern slopes of Moel Siabod in the Eryri National Park. I had been at this spot back in October 2019, but due to a bout of cold I’d only managed to get as far as Rhos Quarry. Today the plan was to climb up to Llyn Siabod, whilst it was cool, and then photograph the quarry on the way down.

Rob Thorley 30/05/2020 Rob Thorley 30/05/2020

Gib Torr

Landscape photography is what I love most, and I’d made a conscious decision not to photograph any landscapes whilst I was practising wildlife photography. I wanted to focus, and not get distracted, but when the light was this good I couldn’t help myself.

Rob Thorley 01/12/2019 Rob Thorley 01/12/2019

Llyn y Dywarchen

I was back at Llyn y Dywarchen in the Eryri National Park. I have a love, hate relationship with this location. The first time I visited I broke my leg which put me out of action for a few months. Today was visit number three. I’d gone back with a view to “going high”, and getting something other than the the "normal” shots.

Rob Thorley 24/11/2019 Rob Thorley 24/11/2019

Autumn & Orton II

Once again I found myself at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase for a spot of autumn woodland photography. This time I wandered a bit further afield through the pines to pick out some of the contrasting colours that were still on display.

Rob Thorley 03/11/2019 Rob Thorley 03/11/2019

Autumn & Orton

Although quite local, Cannock Chase isn’t a location that I’m too familiar with, something I definitely plan to address. I opted to park up at Birches Valley, which is probably one of the busier areas, but the one I was most familiar with to go in search of some autumn woodland colours.