Amboy is a small town in the northeast of Indiana, which surprises with wide field paths and a few well-preserved historic buildings. I like the quiet atmosphere because it allows me to compose without much distraction. For photographers there are surprisingly many moments in which the light seems almost to stand still.
I plan to shoot the picture when the light is strongest. In Civil Twilight the first city lights – perfect for silhouettes. The Golden Hour provides warm, soft light; Just look for “Golden Hour Amboy” in the calendar. The Sunset over the few buildings there are dramatic colors that fit well into the sky. The Blue Hour is ideal for long-term exposures, especially at the Red Bridge State Recreation Area, where the water reflects the blue. On this page there is a map tool by poi‐travel.de, which calculates the position of the sun and displays the direction (azimut) as a line – a real helper for lighting planning.
This well preserved half-timbered house from the early 20. Century stands on the south side of the main road and is a popular background for street photography. The red bricks and the dark wood form a strong contrast, especially with counterlight in the Golden Hour. Opening hours: accessible at any time as it is a private residence. Entrance: free. Best photo time: early morning when the light falls from the east and illuminates the facade. Insider tip: a short walk around the house gives different angles of view that emphasize the pattern of the bars.
The red arch of sandstone is the highlight for landscape and water photography. The water reflects the light of the Blue Hour and produces long, smooth lines. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., free admission. For the best picture: sunset when the orange-red light kisses the bridge, or shortly thereafter when the blue of the dusk turns the water. Insider tip: a tripod and an ND filter allow soft water surfaces even if the light is still strong.
An old mill, which today serves as a viewpoint. The combination of historical mill and surrounding forests creates an almost fairytale picture, especially when fog lies above the river. The park is open from 7 am to 9 pm, free entry. Photo tip: Visit the place to Civil Twilightwhen the first lights of the mill shine and the water shimmers silver. Insider proof: The right path leads to a small bridge from which you can take the mill in counterlight.
The city hall in classic colonial style is the official landmark of the city. The symmetrical facade and the small bell tower offer clear lines for architectural photography. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 9 – 5 pm, free admission. Ideal for recordings in Golden Hourwhen the warm light emphasizes the window frames. Insider tip: The small square in front of the town hall has a historical monument that provides an interesting picture in the foreground.
A short but well maintained path along the river, lined with trees and a few benches. The path is particularly photogenic when the light breaks through the leaves and throws patterns on the water. The Riverwalk is accessible around the clock, no entrance. Best time: late Golden Hour** or **Blue Hour** if the water absorbs the colors of the sky. Insider tip: A short stop at the small wooden bridge gives you a natural foreground element for your composition.
A modern building with a glass facade that is often used for local events. The reflections in the glass offer exciting possibilities for abstract city recordings. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 – 6 pm, free admission. Photo tip: Use the Blue Hour** to let the lights shine inside through the glass – this creates a warm, inviting image. Insider proof: The small car park behind the center has a free view to the north, where you can catch the sky above the building.
Amboy may be small, but the mix of historical architecture, natural surroundings and calm lighting conditions makes it an underestimated destination for photographers. Whether you're looking for the perfect sunset, a clear blue-hour silhouette or a relaxed walk with photo stands – here you'll find everything you need without crowds.
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 Amboy, 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.
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light with long shadows – ideal for architecture and street photography. | South 810 East – Historic House, Amboy Town Hall, Amboy Riverwalk |
| Sunset | Dramatic colors, intense red/orange light – perfect for silhouettes and landscapes. | Red Bridge State Recreation Area |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, silver water, good silhouettes – especially for quiet evening moods. | Pearson Mill State Recreation Area |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, long exposures, reflections – ideal for long term exposures. | Red Bridge State Recreation Area, Amboy Riverwalk, Amboy Community Center |
| South 810 East – Historic House | ISO 100 / f 8 / 1/200 s | Use counterlight in the Golden Hour to highlight the wood structure; easy lightening in the RAW workflow helps. |
| Red Bridge State Recreation Area | ISO 200 / f 11 / 30 s (Stativ, ND filter) | Use a tripod for the Blue Hour and use the ND filter to smooth the water silky. |
| Pearson Mill State Recreation Area | ISO 400 / f 5.6 / 1/60 s | Use the light of the mill as a counterlight for the Civil Twilight; the silhouette emphasizes a slight brightening in retrospect. |
| Amboy Town Hall | ISO 100 / f 9 / 1/250 s | Golden Hour for warm facades; respect the symmetry and use a light wide angle lens. |
| Amboy Riverwalk | ISO 200 / f 8 / 1/125 s (Golden Hour) / ISO 400 / f 5.6 / 15 s (Blue Hour, Tripod) | Games with the light patterns through the trees; for the Blue Hour a tripod and long exposure time for reflective water surfaces. |
| Amboy Community Center | ISO 800 / f 4 / 1/30 s (Blue Hour) | use the interior lighting as a light source; a light bokeh in the glass creates a modern cityscape. |
Lafayette is only half an hour north. The skyline of Purdue University casts interesting shadows, especially in the morning light. The Wabash River sounds through the city, and the old bridges give nice lines for compositions. There are also some graffiti hands that look a bit rough.
West Lafayette is practically the counterpart. There is the “Theater of the Absurd” – an old factory building that now serves as a studio. The windows are big, the light penetrates beautifully. In short, a place for interiors with character.
Delphi, a small town, looks almost like a different time. The main road is lined with old brick buildings, which in autumn emit a warm light. The nearby Wabash River State Park also offers some abandoned boats that look almost spooky in the fog.
Crawfordsville has a few caves nearby, which you can light easily with a flashlight. The stalactites cast hard shadows, which is good for dramatic black and white images. Nevertheless, the area is not overrun, so you have time to experiment.
coke is a bit further east, but the old industrial plants there have a certain charm. Roasted machines, empty warehouses – this is material for urban photography that does not look too smooth. A bit of dust is still in the air, which gives the recordings a light vintage feeling.
Peru on the Wabash River has a historic railway station building that now houses a café. The combination of old brick and modern glass fronts is a nice contrast. You can also photograph the river at sunset, the water reflects the light in irregular patterns.
Frankfort, a little south, is the heart of horse breeding in Indiana. In the fields you often see riders in traditional clothes, which gives a little rural flair. The barns there are not perfectly preserved, but this makes the scene more authentic.
Warsaw, the “Pottery Capital” has a few old ceramic factories that are today used as studios. The rough walls, the colorful glazes, that is a good motif for colour photography. In addition, there are some abandoned docks on the Ohio River that look a bit melancholic.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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