Lewisville is a small town in the heart of Indiana, which surprises with wide fields, quiet river banks and charming green areas. I like the city because it is barely overflowing and the light there often seems surprisingly soft. For photographers there are enough open areas to experiment with natural light, and a few hidden corners that score right only when watching. In short, those who like to travel with the camera will find a relaxed environment and lots of photo motifs.
I plan to shoot the picture that best captures the mood of Lewisville. I use the different light phases for this:
A practical tool is the map tool of poi‐travel.deembedded under this text. There you can calculate the solar position for each date, display the direction as a line and view the azimuth (horizontal angle) – a real time and frust separator if you want to find the perfect angle.
The Community Park is the heart of the city and at the same time the most photographed location. A large lake reflects the evening light while old oaks form silhouettes in the foreground. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the entrance is free. For the best picture, I recommend standing at the western end of the lake for the blue hour – the game of city lights and water reflections is captured there. Insider tip: The small wooden pavilion on the northern shore is less frequented and offers a quiet view of the sunset.
This family camp is located on the edge of the city area, surrounded by gentle hills and a small stream. The wooden stands and the campfire setup are ideal motifs for evening and night recordings. The area is open from May to October, in winter only on request. Admission costs 10 USD per parking space, but the photography is free. For long-term exposures, I recommend using the campfire after sunset – the warm light strongly contrasts with the deep blue sky. A local note: The viewpoint on the eastern edge offers panoramic views of the entire valley, perfect for the golden hour.
The butterfly garden is a small but colorful refugium, which is visited in the summer by more than 30 species. The combination of vibrant colors and soft morning light makes it a dream for macro photographers. Opening hours: daily from 9 am to 6 pm, admission 5 USD. The best time is shortly after sunrise when the light breaks through the leaves and the butterflies are dipped into warm gold. Insider tip: Behind the main beet there is a hidden path from which one can make undisturbed close-ups from the insects.
Westwood Park is located on the river and offers wide meadows, old bridges and a historic water tower building. The river reflects the light of the twilight, which has an impressive effect especially in long-term exposures. The park is accessible 24 hours a day, free admission. For the perfect picture I recommend to stand for civil twilight at the South Bridge – there you start the first lights of the city and the shimmering water. A local note: The small wooden ridge in the northern part is less visited and provides clear lines for architectural compositions.
The square in front of the town hall is the official centre for events and offers a classic brick building with a striking clock. The combination of historical architecture and modern lighting makes it a versatile photo motif. City Hall opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–16 p.m., the place is freely accessible at any time. For the golden hour a location opposite the main road is recommended, where the light dips the facade in warm gold. Insider tip: Right behind the town hall there is a small staircase from which you can take the clock from an unusual angle.
The river path extends over several kilometers along the White River and offers numerous photo opportunities – from quiet water areas to small waterfalls. The trail is open all year round, free entry. The best time for landscape shooting is the blue hour when the water reflects the city lights. Practical note: At the southern end there is a wooden ridge that is ideal for silhouette shots against the sky. A local tip: Early in the morning the trail is almost empty, so you can make undisturbed long-term exposures.
Lewisville may be small, but the light, the open areas and the friendly people make it an underestimated photo paradise. Anyone who plans for a few days can collect high-quality day and night recordings – almost without crowds. In short, Lewisville is just the right thing for those looking for authentic, quiet motifs in Indiana.
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 Lewisville, 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 Lewisville |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; rich colors, long shadows. | Lewisville Community Park, Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground, Lewisville Butterfly Garden, Lewisville Town Hall Plaza |
| Sunset | Intensive red/orange light, dramatic sky, reflections on water. | Lewisville Community Park, Westwood Park |
| Civil Twilight | Insulation light, first city lights, still visible surroundings. | Westwood Park (south bridge), Lewisville River Trail (south end) |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue light after sunset, ideal for long-term exposure. | Lewisville Community Park, Lewisville River Trail, Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Lewisville Community Park | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s (Golden Hour) – ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 30 s (Blue Hour) | Use the wooden pavilion on the northern bank for silhouettes; for long-term exposure a tripod and ND filter. |
| Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground | ISO 400 / f/4 / 1/60 s (Golden hour) – ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 15‐30 s (Blue Hour) | Position at the eastern panoramic viewpoint; use a tripod for the campfire motif. |
| Lewisville Butterfly Garden | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 1/250 s (mounted light) | Go to the hidden path behind the main bed for close-ups without people. |
| Westwood Park | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/200 s (Civil Twilight) – ISO 400 / f/8 / 10 s (Blue Hour) | Use the South Bridge at Civil Twilight for reflections; for blue strip set the wooden bridge in the northern part. |
| Lewisville Town Hall Plaza | ISO 100 / f/16 / 1/250 s (Golden hour) | Photographers from the small staircase behind the town hall for an unusual angle of the clock. |
| Lewisville River Trail | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/100 s (Civil Twilight) – ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 20‐30 s (Blue Hour) | On the southern wooden ridge for silhouettes; use a tripod for long-term exposure of the reflective water. |
A short trip to Crawfordsville is worthwhile if you like old brick buildings. The main road has a few narrow alleys where the light plays between the facades – perfect for shadow and light games.
However, the cityscape of Greencastle is not exactly a photo magnet, but the small cafes on the corner often have colorful window frames. There you can shoot a few loose street portraits, while outside the foliage rustles.
In Lafayette, just over the I‐65, there is the Wabash River, which after a rain turns into reflective areas. The bridge there is a popular motif, because the reflections seem almost like a second picture.
Nevertheless, the West Lafayette campus area sometimes exaggerates, but the old library windows and the brick building of the engineering faculty offer interesting lines. A bit of patience, and you get clear geometric shots.
A short trip to Danville will take you the old railway depot. The rusty rails and the abandoned warehouse give a rough feeling that can be easily combined with counterlight.
In short, Martinsville has a small but fine neighborhood with historic wooden houses. The street is narrow, the roofs are sloping – a bit like a set of movies from the 40s.
If you like nature, go to Turkey Run State Park. The river swells through narrow canyons, and the light falling through the trees produces almost already painted patterns in the water.
A little further south lies Bloomington. There is the “Theater of the Arts”, an old cinema with neon light. The neon almost looks like an independent motif at night, which you can easily combine with the starry sky.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
