Rob Thorley Photography

Rob Thorley Photography Landscape photographer based in Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK. If I did I would be lying. Being from an IT background, I'm pretty tech savvy, and enjoy learning.

I'd like to tell you an inspirational tale of how at a tender young age I sat on my Grandfather's lap, where I was handed my first camera, and from that moment on I was smitten with photography. Instead my "journey" into photography started at the ripe old age of fifty. I decided I needed to get off the sofa, and do something more with my life, else I'd be on my death bed, thinking of box sets, ra

ther than the places I'd visited, and the things I'd seen, and done. We'd bought my son a Nikon D3200, with an 18-55mm kit lens to do a media course at sixth form college. Fortunately, or unfortunately my son didn't stick with the course, and the "as good as new" D3200 made it's way to the back of his wardrobe. Armed with my new found enthusiasm I bought the Nikon D3200 off him, possibly making me the only person in the world to buy the same Nikon D3200 twice! With "all the gear", but no idea off I set for Wetley Moor, and snapped away. It quickly became apparent that there was room for improvement in my photography. So away I went thrashing Google, surfing the forums, devouring hours of content on YouTube, and most important of all . . . practising. I soon came to realise that the genre that most interested me was Landscape Photography. To myself this was unsurprising. As a youngster I used to love the outdoors. I was in the Cubs, Scouts, and Army Cadets, and took every opportunity to be out in the woods, or on the moor. It'd just taken me thirty-odd years to remember how much I loved the outdoors. My wife was slightly more sceptical, and for a number of months "mid life crisis" was dropped into numerous conversations, when discussing my new found hobby. So here I am a number of years later. I've climbed mountains, and broken bones in the pursuit of my hobby, something a short while ago I would never have dreamt about. I most definitely don't have "all the gear" (just a bit more of it). I do however have more of an idea about photography, and Landscape Photography in particular. My "mid life crisis" continues, and Landscape Photography is still my primary focus. I'm looking forward to expanding my adventures. Being based in Stoke-on-Trent will also ensure I explore, and photograph more of the Peak District, and Snowdonia National Parks.

A few photos of a visit to Higger Tor and Carl Wark last week (19th December). It was a bit fresh up there but nice not ...
23/12/2025

A few photos of a visit to Higger Tor and Carl Wark last week (19th December). It was a bit fresh up there but nice not to see any rain.

I was planning on having a bit more of a wander until I managed to smash a full flask of coffee in my camera bag. Fortunately the coffee stayed in the top part of the bag and didn't leak through to my camera, or lenses but it did soak my butties and I didn't fancy coffee flavoured ham and cheese sandwiches. So unfortunately with no drink and no (edible) food it was a day cut short.

What a difference a day makes, or two in this instance. I made the most of Tuesday's weather and had a wander along from...
27/11/2025

What a difference a day makes, or two in this instance. I made the most of Tuesday's weather and had a wander along from Roach End to Hanging Stone as it had been a while. I enjoyed it that much I thought I'd do it again today but with the camera. Not the smartest idea with today's forecast but still . . .

Very quiet over there and quite good underfoot. No views as such back into the Peak District but looked a touch nicer (weather wise) over to Bosley Cloud and the Cheshire Plain.

I gave up with the photos eventually as the wind was a bit too fresh but here's a few until I did.

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.Canal & River Trust            ...
19/11/2025

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.

Canal & River Trust

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.Canal & River Trust
19/11/2025

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.

Canal & River Trust

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.Canal & River Trust            ...
18/11/2025

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.

Canal & River Trust

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.Canal & River Trust            ...
18/11/2025

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal between bridge 6 and the Leek tunnel.

Canal & River Trust

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal.Canal & River Trust
17/11/2025

A few more from the Leek branch of the Caldon canal.

Canal & River Trust

A first visit to Wyming Brook for myself on Tuesday (28th). As tends to be the case when I go out for a wander it's for ...
29/10/2025

A first visit to Wyming Brook for myself on Tuesday (28th).
As tends to be the case when I go out for a wander it's for the purpose of photography.

I'd seen that the forecast was for 40 - 50 mph winds, which isn't ideal for woodland photography. After an extra half an hour in bed trying to talk myself out of going sense prevailed and I headed over.

Walk wise I followed the brook down although my knees this morning insist it was more of a climb than a walk 😀 the joys of getting older . . .

I'm not sure of how much of the brook I actually walked. I spoke to a chap who said I was about half way down, and I went a bit further after that to where there's a bench, so maybe did three quarters of it (at least that's what I'm telling myself) but I'm not sure.

I didn't go any further as there were people working on replacing the sleepers that retain the path, so headed back up the way I came.

I hope you enjoy a few photos from my climb, I mean walk as much as I did being there. I think they're pretty much in order of descent.

Light Painting mushrooms / fungi in Consall Woods yesterday. Not the best day at the office as I made too many cock-ups....
22/10/2025

Light Painting mushrooms / fungi in Consall Woods yesterday. Not the best day at the office as I made too many cock-ups. I knew my torch was being a bit dodgy, so took some rechargeables to swap out if I wasn't getting enough light. The flaw in the plan was my torch took AAA's and my rechargeables were AA's but didn't realise until it was too late. Ended up cutting the day short only to remember when I pulled back on the drive I had my head torch with me which would have been more than enough. I also light painted the wrong mushrooms on a couple of shots ( the joys of photographing with the camera upside down and being blind as a bat), so overall it could have been better. 😀

A few from Upper Moor this morning. A bit of mist to start with but a little challenging with the rain, wind  and light....
20/10/2025

A few from Upper Moor this morning. A bit of mist to start with but a little challenging with the rain, wind and light. Had to go heavier on the denoise than I would have liked. 😀

A plan B morning today. A few hundred yards after this it was pretty socked in, so ended up messing about around Ramshaw...
30/01/2025

A plan B morning today. A few hundred yards after this it was pretty socked in, so ended up messing about around Ramshaw Rocks trying to get a few different shots (for me) than the usual ones.

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Bucknall
Stoke-on-Trent

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