New Richmond is located in the heart of Indiana and at first glance looks like a quiet town, but it has plenty of pictures. I like the mix of open prairie and small, well maintained parks – that gives you both wide landscapes and intimate details. For me, the game with light and shadow is particularly exciting here, because the city is not dominated by high-rise buildings, but by natural forms. If you like to experiment with natural light, you will quickly find it here.
The key is in timing. During the Civil Twilight the city slowly awakens, the first lights dive into a gentle blue – perfect for first recordings. The Golden Hour provides warm, diffuse light that works particularly well in the historical buildings; Just search for “Golden Hour New Richmond” in your lighting design app. Shortly before Sunset throws the light long shadow over the fields around the city, ideal for silhouettes of wind turbines. The Blue Hour after that is a dream for long-term exposures when the city light merges with the dazzling blue. On this page of poi‐travel.de you will find a map tool that shows you the position of the sun and the azimuth – so you can plan the direction of your shots exactly.
The central park is the heart of the city and offers a small lake, ancient oaks and a historical monument. The water reflects the light of the dusk particularly well when you photograph from the west side. Opening hours: daily from sunrise to sunset, free admission. For the best picture you should come to the blue hour, then the light catches the tree crowns in a gentle blue. Insider tip: The small wooden pavilion on the north end is less visited and provides clear lines for architectural photography.
A somewhat remote park with a long gravel alley, which stretches through a field of wild flowers. Especially in spring the colors shine, and the soft light of the golden hour makes the flowers almost shimmer. The park is open from 8 am to 8 pm, free admission. In the morning there are hardly any visitors, which is ideal if you plan long-term exposures with the sun rays in the background. Local note: The old tractor on the western edge is a popular motif for retro recordings.
This nature reserve is a piece of unspoiled prairie that is regularly burned in order to preserve biodiversity. The wide grasses and the open sky tent offer dramatic silhouettes at sunset. Access is possible around the clock, but there are no official facilities, so bring water. The best time for photos is the golden hour when the light dips the grasses into a warm gold. A secret tip: On the northern viewpoint you can catch the sunrise above the creek, which is rarely overrun.
The historic town hall of red brick is the most striking building in the city. The facade shines especially with lateral light, which emphasizes the architectural details. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission. For a strong picture you should use the blue hour, then the illuminated building reflects the dark sky blue. Local recommendation: The small square in front of the town hall has an old street light set that creates a beautiful light play at night.
An old wooden bridge over Lye Creek, which dates back to the early 1900s. The structure looks rustic and offers great frames for river and landscape recordings. The bridge is accessible at any time, no entrance. The light of the golden hour falls from the south onto the bridge and creates long shadows that make the image dynamic. Tip from locals: On the east side there is a small bridge from which you can photograph the bridge with the sunset in the background.
New Richmond is not an overrun tourist magnet, but a place where you can capture the light in its purest form. Whether you prefer to photograph wide precincts, quiet parks or historic brick buildings – there is a suitable spot for every preference. Combine with the poi‐travel.de map tool, you plan your recordings precisely and use them optimally every hour of the day. A short trip is enough to create a small portfolio of atmospheric images, and you go home with the feeling of holding something really authentic.
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 New Richmond, 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 New Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, diffuse light; long shadow, golden tones. | New Richmond Park, Stoddard Park, Lye Creek Prairie Burn, Old Mill Bridge |
| Sunset | Red to orange light, silhouettes, dramatic shadows. | Lye Creek Prairie Burn, Old Mill Bridge, New Richmond Park |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle blue, first city light, quiet atmosphere. | New Richmond Town Hall, New Richmond Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, city lights, ideal for long-term exposures. | New Richmond Town Hall, New Richmond Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| New Richmond Park | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the wooden pavilion as the foreground; photographs from west to east for the blue hour. |
| Stoddard Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | Catch the wild flowers in golden light; use a polarization filter for rich colors. |
| Lye Creek Prairie Burn | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/60 s | Position yourself at the northern viewpoint; use the wide picture for silhouettes at sunset. |
| New Richmond Town Hall | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/30 s (Stativ) | recording during the blue hour; Light beams of the street lights emphasize the brick structure. |
| Old Mill Bridge | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/200 s | Photographers from the east side at sunset; long shadows give depth. |
Fort Wayne is not far away and has a quite interesting river run. The skyline at the Maumee River sometimes looks rough, but the light in the evening can be really good for silhouettes. The Riverwalk is a bit touristic, yet there are hidden corners with graffiti, which are well suited for contrasts.
However, Auburn is not only known for cars. The old factory hall on the outskirts has huge windows that break the light. You can experiment there with long exposure times if the weather is nebulous.
Huntington has a small but fine railway station that is still in original condition. The bricks and the old wood give a little retro feeling. If you like to photograph people on the train and off, this is a good spot.
Angola is a bit further north, but the Pokagon State Park is a real secret tip. The lake reflects the trees, especially in autumn, and the wooden bridges seem almost like a film. There are also some old boats on the shore – perfect for still life.
Kendallville has a river that winds through the city. The bridge there is not particularly large, but the light falling through the trees creates beautiful patterns. Sometimes you can see some fishermen who make the picture more alive.
Columbia City surprises with a few colorful murals in the center. They are not everywhere, but the ones that exist offer strong colors against the gray urban fabric. Ideal when looking for urban accents.
Wabash is located on the river and has an old town hall that snores a bit. The façade is made of red brick, and the light in the late afternoon allows the texture to emerge properly. The river itself is often calm, which allows reflections.
Decatur has a small cinema from the 30s. The neon slave is sometimes out, but that gives you the chance to play with light sources. Inside, the wood on the walls is already somewhat worn, which creates a vintage look.
Bluffton is rather a quiet place, but the old mill on the river has an interesting gear design. When the water is high, the whole thing is reflected in the water, and you get a little movement in the picture.
If you want a little more nature, look at the O'Lakes State Park Chain. The lakes are close together, and the water is often clear. In the morning there is a lot of fog, which provides mystical shots.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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