Clarks Hill is a small town that still offers lots of photo motifs. The mixture of quiet lakes, historical signs and a few modern buildings makes the picture exciting here. I like the city because it is not overrun and you can easily come to the moment. The light is particularly varied for hobby photographers – from delicate morning colours to clear stars.
I plan to shoot the picture when the light is strongest. Civil Twilight provides the first city lights, ideal for silhouettes. The Golden Hour is my keyword for soft, warm light – a short search term that I enter in advance in the calendar. The Sunset over the few buildings there are dramatic colors that fit well into foreground details. For long term exposure, I use the Blue Hourwhen the sky is deep blue and lights begin to glow. The map tool by poi‐travel.de, which is embedded under this text, shows the position of the sun and gives the azimuth in degrees – practical to exactly plan the direction.
The campsite is located directly on the Broadview Lake, a quiet waters with a mirror-glattered surface. Especially in spring, the water reflects the surrounding green and provides great long-term exposures. Opening hours: all year round, but access is restricted in winter. Admission: 5 USD per vehicle, children free. Best photo time: early morning when fog is above the lake. Insider tip: The wooden ridge at the north end is less frequented and offers a clear view of the sunrise.
The neon illuminated sign from the 1950s stands at the corner of Main & Elm and is a classic for retro lovers. It still works so that you can catch a strong, colored light at night. Opening hours: around the clock, as it hangs on the road. Entrance: free. Ideal recording time: Blue Hour when the neon contrasts against the dark sky. Insider tip: From the opposite side street you have an undisturbed view without cars in the picture.
A small town park with a pond, playground and an old oak. The park is slightly elevated so that you have a wide view over the city centre at sunrise. Opening hours: daily 6 am to 2 pm, free admission. Perfect for Golden Hour because the light falls through the trees and throws warm shadows. Insider tip: The path along the pond offers a quiet reflection game, which works especially after a light rain.
The most striking building in Clarks Hill, a restored brick building from the early 20th century. Century, which today houses a local museum. The facade with its large windows and the artistic brick pattern is a magnet for architectural photographers. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00–17:00, closed on Monday. Admission: 3 USD, family discount. Best time: Civil Twilight, when the windows are illuminated from the inside and the building shines in the dam light. Insider tip: On the roof there is a small platform that can be used after prior consultation with the museum – there is a panoramic view over the city.
A family-friendly campsite with its own fishing pond, which is particularly lively in the summer. The pond reflects the light of the falling sun and produces beautiful silhouettes of Angles. Opening hours: May to October, daily 8 a.m.–20 a.m. Entrance: 7 USD per parking space, children free of charge. Ideal for Golden Hour because the water throws the warm light back. Insider tip: The small wooden pavilion at the western end is less visited and offers a clear view of the sunset over the pond.
A nature reserve with several hiking trails leading through forest and open meadows. In autumn, the trees shine in yellow and red tones, which allows great scenery. Opening hours: daily from sunrise to sunset, free admission. For long-term exposures during the Blue Hour, the open meadow on the southern edge is perfect because there is hardly any artificial light. Insider tip: The hidden view point behind the old wooden ridge offers a panorama that can only be reached on foot.
A historical camp that was originally founded in the 1930s and offers guided tours today. The original wooden huts and the campfire place give a nostalgic flair. Opening hours: Tours only on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 4 pm, prior registration required. Admission: 10 USD per person, group discount. The best time for photos is the Civil Twilight when the campfire dips the environment into a warm light. Insider tip: Behind the main building there is a small creek that reflects particularly well at dazzling light.
Clarks Hill combines calm nature, historical details and a few modern highlights that together allow a varied photo project. Whether you're looking for gentle morning colors, bright neon lights or deep blue night shots – here you'll find everything without going over. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the solar position and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this little Indiana gem.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Clarks Hill, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
| Phase | Characteristics | Top attractions in Clarks Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset | Broadview Lake Campground, Colfax Park, Big Fish‐N‐Campground |
| Sunset | Dramatic colors, long shadows, intense sky | Big Fish-N-Campground |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, ideal for silhouettes and illuminated facades | Rosenberger Building, Camp George Cullom |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue sky, artificial lights begin to shine | Historic Miller’s Restaurant Sign, Exploration Acres |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Broadview Lake Campground | ISO 200 / f 8 / 1/125 s | Use tripod to capture reflections of the silent water. |
| Historic Miller’s Restaurant Sign | ISO 400 / f 4 / 1/30 s | Low ISO for clean neon colours, focus on the shield. |
| Colfax Park | ISO 200 / f 5.6 / 1/250 s | Photograph through the old oak to use warm light behind the leaves. |
| Rosenberger Building | ISO 800 / f 2.8 / 1/60 s | Use the stand to clearly detect the illuminated windows in the dam light. |
| Big Fish-N-Campground | ISO 200 / f 11 / 1/200 s | Photographing from the wooden pavilion to get silhouettes of the anglers before sunset. |
| Exploration Acres | ISO 400 / f 5.6 / 20 s | Long-term exposure with tripod to emphasize the open field in deep blue light. |
| Camp George Cullom | ISO 800 / f 4 / 1/30 s | reflect fire light; work with light counterlight to capture the atmosphere. |
Madison is just half an hour upstream. The old brick buildings on the Ohio River give a rough light play, especially when the sun disappears behind the trees. You can catch the reflections in the water without disturbing the picture.
However, Columbus is a completely different case. Clear lines and unusual materials dominate there. The architecture almost looks like a set for a futuristic film, and this offers photographers a lot of contrasts to the rural fields around Clarks Hill.
Brown County, about an hour south, looks like a small artist village. The forests there are dense, the foliage throws a warm, almost patterned light. It's okay, but in autumn it can be quite crowded – yet it's worth an early morning for quiet recordings.
Nevertheless, you should not forget a trip to French Lick. The old spa resorts have a slightly decayed flair that fits well with black and white photography. The steam baths and the abandoned casino give off a bit of nostalgia without being too cheesy.
Short trip to Bloomington leads to a living college atmosphere. The campus buildings, the red brick building and the surrounding hills offer a blend of modern and traditional style. For portraits of students or street shots, this is a good spot.
If you want a bit of industry, Indianapolis is just a bit further. There are old factory premises that have now been reworked as art projects. The light between the steel beams can be dramatic, especially in the sky.
A short trip to New Albany on the border to Kentucky gives a different picture: the skyline on the river, old bridges and a little urban drive. The combination of water, city and old brick houses is rare in this region.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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