Manilla is a small town in the heart of Indiana, which surprises with wide fields and quiet river banks. For hobby photographers there are surprisingly many open areas where the light is undisturbed. I like manilla because people are friendly here and you almost feel like you have the road for yourself. In addition, the surroundings can be easily explored on foot or by bike – perfect to find spontaneous image compositions.
I plan to shoot the picture that best captures the mood of Manilla. I use different light phases for this:
The map tool of poi‐travel.de is included under this text. There you can calculate the position of the sun, display the direction by line and determine the azimuth (horizontal angle) for the exact alignment.
The nature reserve is located northwest of the city and offers dense beech forests, small streams and open lights. Especially in the autumn, when the foliage shines in red and yellow tones, contrasting recordings are created. The main path is well marked and there are several viewing points that are suitable for wide-angle and macro recordings. Opening hours: daily from sunrise to sunset, free admission. It is best to photograph early in the morning when the light breaks through the canopy. Insider tip: The small wooden ridge over the brook is a popular spot for reflections – visit it shortly after the rain.
The historic town hall is the most striking building in the city and is located in the centre of the small square. The brick facade with the original windows offers interesting lines and shades, especially during the blue hour. Inside there is a small museum showing the history of the region – entrance 2 €, opening hours Tuesday to Friday 9–17. For outdoor shots, the Golden Hour is recommended when the light lets the bricks appear warm. Insider tip: On the opposite side of the road there is an old lantern pile, which produces a beautiful counterlight at dusk.
Located along the river, this square offers not only pitches, but also a small ridge and a wooden ridge from which you can catch the river and the surrounding countryside. Especially at sunset, the water reflects the colors of the sky – a dream for long-term exposures. The park is open all year round, fees are $10 per night. Early in the evening it is quieter so you can work undisturbed. Insider tip: The old wooden ponton on the western shore is a hidden spot for silhouettes from Anglern.
This old road leads over a small half-timbered bridge, which leads over a secondary river. The bridge is made of wood and has a slightly weathered appearance that fits well with black-and-white recordings. The road is not very busy, so long exposure times can be used without disturbing lights. Opening hours: accessible at any time, no entry. The best time for photos is the Blue Hour when the weak light emphasizes the wood structure. Insider tip: On the left side there is an old barn window that creates a beautiful light play in counterlight.
A short stretch south of Manilla leads along a series of modern wind turbines that stand against the sky. The combination of rural environment and industrial design creates unusual picture compositions, especially with strong backlight. The path is open to the public, no entrance, 24/7. For the Golden Hour, a location is recommended which throws the sun rays directly onto the rotor blades. Insider tip: If the wind blows slightly, you can easily get the rotor blades blurred – a dynamic effect.
Manilla may be small, but the variety of light moods and quiet photospots makes it an underestimated destination for photographers. Whether you're looking for vast landscapes, historical buildings or modern contrasts, you'll find everything you need for a strong picture. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the sun position and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that Manilla has to offer.
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 Manilla, 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 Manilla |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light immerses the landscape in gold tones and emphasizes textures. | Manilla Town Hall, West 650 S – Field trail with wind wheels, Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve |
| Sunset | Intensive colors in the sky, reflections in the water, long shadows. | River's Edge Mobile Home Park & Campground, West 650 S – Field Trail with Windcycles |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, gentle dusk, ideal for silhouettes. | Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve, Manilla Town Hall |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, long exposure times, emphasizes light sources. | Offutt's Bridge Road, Manilla Town Hall |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Meltzer Woods Nature Reserve | 400 ISO / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Use a tripod for detailed photos in the underwood; focus on the light that breaks through the canopy. |
| Manilla Town Hall | 200 ISO / f/8 / 1/60 s | Position yourself against the lantern pile for counterlight silhouettes during the blue hour. |
| River's Edge Mobile Home Park and Campground | 800 ISO / f/4 / 30 s (with tripod) | Use an ND filter to soften the water and keep the focus on the reflections of the sunset. |
| Offutt's Bridge Road | 100 ISO / f/11 / 15 s (with tripod) | Put the camera on a fixed lens to highlight the wood structure of the bridge in black and white. |
| West 650 S – field path with wind wheels | 400 ISO / f/2.8 / 1/200 s | Use light counterlight recordings to easily blur the rotor blades – a dynamic effect with light wind. |
However, the surrounding area is not exactly a tourist magnet, for that there is much unfiltered light and empty roads. Just the small town of Peru, just 20 minutes south, has an old railway track that is well suited for long shades and abandoned trains.
Delphi, about half an hour further, looks almost like a film set. The headstone pavements, a few rusted tractors and the old town hall give a rough but charming picture. You can easily catch a picture with the sky in the background because the city is not covered by high-rise buildings.
If you like water, go to Lafayette. The Tippecanoe River stretches through the city, and on the shores there are old wooden bridges, which are almost transparent in contrasting light. The city itself is a bit louder, but the river banks remain relatively calm.
West Lafayette has the Purdue campus area, which is not necessarily seen as a tourist attraction, but the modern buildings with their glass fronts offer interesting reflections. Especially in the morning fog, the whole is almost surreal.
Kokomo is located a little further north, but the old factory buildings there have an industrial charm. Graffiti, rusty metal doors and the spicy light through dirty windows – this is material for dark recordings.
A short trip to Crawfordsville is worth looking for old barns. There are some abandoned barns in fields surrounded by high grasses in the summer. The light often falls obliquely, which emphasizes the texture of the wood.
Anderson, south of Manila, has a few abandoned industrial plants on the White River. The combination of water, rusty metal and devastated plants sometimes acts somewhat overloaded, but you can use it in a targeted manner.
Muncie is not far away and offers the Ball State University campus area. The old brick buildings with their high windows provide a classic campus feeling that is well suited for portraits in the background.
And if you really want to get out of town, go one piece to the Hoosier National Forest. There are remote paths, moss-covered stones and small streams. The light there is often diffused, which ensures soft landscape images.
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