Princes Lakes is located in the middle of the rural Indiana, surrounded by quiet lakes and gentle hills. The city has a surprisingly wide range of historical buildings and natural scenery that are perfect for image compositions. I come back every time because the light is almost too early and too late – ideal for dramatic recordings. There are also barely overflowing tourist streams, so you can focus in peace.
Civil Twilight – shortly after sunset when the first city lights flicker. Ideal for skyline silhouettes.
Golden Hour – Search for “Princes Lakes golden hour” in the map tool of poi‐travel.deto plan the exact time. The warm light makes the water glisten.
Sunset – the dusk over the few high-rise buildings creates an interesting contrast between nature and urban forms.
Blue Hour – perfect for long-term exposures of the illuminated bridges and the port. The tool shows azimuth and horizontal angles so that you can adjust the direction of the sun exactly.
The chapel is the most striking building in the city and recalls the time of World War II, when Italian prisoners of war prayed here. The brick building with its red dome offers strong lines and an interesting game of light and shadow, especially during the blue hour. Opening hours: daily from 9 am to 5 pm, free admission. In the late afternoon, when the light falls from the south, particularly deep shadows arise. Insider tip: a short walk to the adjacent cemetery provides additional compositions with old gravestones in the foreground.
This nature reserve extends over several lakes and wetlands that dive into a delicate pink at sunrise. The wooden bridges above the water are popular photo motifs because they capture the mirror image of the sky. Entrance: 5 USD per vehicle, opening hours from 6 am to 22 pm. Early morning, when the birds are active, the light can be used optimally. Insider tip: a hidden view point on the north end of Lake Monroe offers panoramic views without crowds.
The park combines open meadows with a small lake that throws golden reflections at sunset. Particularly photogenic is the old wooden bridge, which acts almost like a silhouette frame in counterlight. Free admission, opening hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The best time for recordings is the golden hour of west when the light dips the grasses into a warm light. Insider tip: a short trip to the adjacent rose garden provides colour accents for portraits.
A dense forest with centuries-old oaks that offer a spectacular color play in autumn. The light beams that break through the canopy create natural spotlights – ideal for macro and landscape images. Entrance: 3 USD, opening hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the late afternoon, when the light is deep, long shadows and a dramatic contrast arise. Insider tip: a small brook run in the southwest of the forest reflects the light particularly well for long-term exposures.
The museum shows military exhibitions from the 20th century Century, including old tanks and uniforms. The exterior with the historical arch is a strong architectural motif that is immersed in a mystical light at the blue hour. Entrance: 7 USD, opening hours from 9 am to 5 pm. For photos, the time after sunset is recommended when the gate is illuminated from the inside. Insider tip: the adjacent training ground offers wide open areas for silhouette recordings of vehicles.
A nature reserve with a mixture of meadows, streams and small hills. In spring, wildflowers flower in bright colors that make the image live without overloading. Free admission, opening hours from 6 am to 9 pm. The golden hour from the east provides a soft light that emphasizes the flowers especially. Insider tip: a hidden wooden ridge above the brook is ideal for reflections with calm water.
A quiet forest named after the nightly call of the Whip‐poor will. After dark falls, the blue hour can be used for star and moon recordings. Admission: 4 USD, opening hours from 6 pm to midnight (after approval). The dense canopy reduces light pollution, so the stars are clearly visible. Insider tip: a small, easily accessible hill in the northwest offers a wide view over the forest crown roof.
A road that leads through open fields and along a small lake. The straight track is a classic motive for escape point compositions, especially at sunset when the light dips the field boundaries in gold. No entrance fee, available 24/7. The best time is the golden hour from the south when the road is dipped in warm light. Insider tip: an old abandoned tractor on the right edge provides a rustic element for the picture.
Princes Lakes combines historical buildings, unspoiled nature and a light game that is almost too perfect for photographers. Whether you're looking for quiet forest paths, reflective lakes or urban silhouettes – here you'll find everything you need for a strong picture. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the position of the sun and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that makes photography a real pleasure here.
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 Princes Lakes, 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 Princes Lakes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light, long shade, ideal for colors and reflections. | Italian Prisoner of War Chapel, Johnson County Park, Laura Hare Preserve, County Road 650 South, Atterbury State Fish and Wildlife Area |
| Sunset | Intensive red/orange light, contrasts between nature and architecture. | Johnson County Park, County Road 650 South, Italian Prisoner of War Chapel |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight after sunset, city lights begin to shine. | Italian Prisoner of War Chapel, County Road 650 South |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, ideal for long-term exposures and illuminated structures. | Italian Prisoner of War Chapel, Camp Atterbury Museum, Whip‐poor‐will Woods |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Prisoner of War Chapel | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the red dome roof as a frame; use the inner light for silhouettes at blue hour. |
| Atterbury State Fish and Wildlife Area | ISO 400 / f/11 / 1/60 s | Position yourself on the wooden ridge for reflections; use pole filters for the water surface. |
| Johnson County Park | ISO 100 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | photographers the wooden bridge in counterlight; Silhouette with sunset in the background. |
| Betley Woods at Glacier's End | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/250 s | Use the light through the canopy for spotlights; for macro choose the small stream. |
| Camp Atterbury Museum | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/30 s (Stativ) | recording of the arch during the blue hour; Long-term exposure for light tracks. |
| Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/160 s | catch the wild flowers in the morning light; Use wooden bar for mirrors. |
| Whip-poor-will Woods | ISO 1600 / f/2.8 / 30 s (Stativ) | Use the clear sky for stars; place the focus manually on infinity. |
| County Road 650 South | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/125 s | Start the flight point perspective at sunset; old tractor as the foreground. |
Only half an hour north is Indianapolis. The skyline sometimes looks a little too smooth, but the graffiti walls in the Mass Ave district give enough rough contrast for street shots. The Canal Walk is okay if you are looking for water reflections, but the real picture material is more like the old factory buildings on the South Side.
However, Bloomington has more to offer than just the university. The historic brick buildings around Main Street create a warm light at sunset. The nearby Lake Monroe provides clear reflections, and the small cafes on campus give a little life in the recordings.
Nevertheless, a trip to Columbus is worth it. There is a surprisingly large collection of modern architecture – the Indiana State Museum and the new town hall are almost photographic motifs for themselves. The city is sometimes overrun, but the empty parking spaces in the evening offer interesting lines.
Short drive to Lafayette leads you to a rather rural environment. The old barns on the Wabash River have these weathered patinas who love photographers. The downtown area has a few abandoned shop fronts that are well suited for Noir voices.
A bit further east is Muncie. The city is quite relaxed, but the old industrial plants on the White River give a good play with light and shadow. Especially in the case of fog, you can almost make mystical recordings here.
If you want a little small town charm, look for Zionsville. The headstone paved streets and the small boutiques look almost like a movie. It's okay, but sometimes something too touristy when you're looking for authentic scenes.
Westfield is not exactly a photo magnet, but the shopping center has a huge glass roof that creates interesting reflections. Especially in rain, the whole works almost like an abstract painting.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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