Blountsville is a small town in the heart of Indiana, which surprises with charming streets and lots of greenery. For hobby photographers there are surprisingly many Sightseeing in Blountsville, which are well suited for detail and landscape photography. I like the city because it doesn't work over and the light over the fields is often particularly soft. The mix of historical architecture and natural parks makes every shooting a small adventure.
I plan to take the best picture of the city – I use the four golden light phases. The Civil Twilight slowly awakens the cityscape, the first lights flicker and give a gentle glow. The Golden Hour is my keyword for the warm, diffused sun that brings façades and water surfaces to light. Shortly before Sunset I start the dusk when the clouds shimmer dramatically over the few buildings. The Blue Hour is perfect for long-term exposures of illuminated bridges and the lake. The map tool of poi‐travel.de, which is embedded under this text, shows the position of the sun, the direction line and the azimuth – so the lighting can be controlled to detail.
The park is about 15 km north of the city and offers a clear lake, hiking trails and a historical visitor centre. The water reflects particularly well during Blue Hourwhen the surrounding trees are dipped in dark blue. Opening hours: daily 7 o’clock–sunset, free admission, parking fees optional. Insider tip: Early in the morning, when fog is above the lake, mystical silhouettes arise – a real photo magnet.
The heart of the city with restored brick buildings, an old railway bridge and the small town hall. The headstone pavement roads catch the warm light of the Golden Hour especially good one. Opening hours: around the clock, no entrance fees. Insider tip: On Tuesday evening there is a local street music event; the light chains offer great bokeh possibilities.
A simple campsite on the edge of the forest area, popular with families and scouts. The tents in the evening red and the campfire are ideal motifs for portraits at dusk. Opening hours: from April to October, 24 hours access, low camping fee. Insider tip: Put on the western edge, there is a small brook that reflects the light.
A traditional summer camp with wooden accommodation and a small lake. The wooden boats in the quiet water create beautiful reflections, especially during the Civil Twilight. Opening hours: June to August, only for registered groups, entry via camp fee. Insider tip: Use early morning light to photograph the fog swads above the lake.
A historical camp from the 1930s, which today serves as a museum. The old tents and the rustic brass sign offer interesting textures. Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm, admission 5 USD. Insider tip: During the Blue Hour the old lamps shine particularly beautiful, which leads to atmospheric night recordings.
A rare high moor spanning several hectares and is a paradise for macro and landscape photography. The moss-covered areas shine almost neon green in the late afternoon. Opening hours: all year round, free access, no entrance fee. Insider tip: In autumn the surrounding trees are colouring, the contrast between brown and green is spectacular.
Blountsville combines charming Sightseeing in Blountsville with varied lighting conditions, Golden Hour to Blue Hour rich. Whether you're looking for city portraits, nature shots or long-term exposures, you'll find everything that desires the heart of a photographer. Pack your camera and get inspired by the quiet streets and the vast landscapes.
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 Blountsville, 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 Blountsville |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, diffused sun; ideal for facades, stone pavement and bright nature. | Blountsville Historic Downtown, Cabin Creek Raised Bog National Natural Landmark |
| Sunset | red, dramatic celestial tones; Silhouettes of buildings and campfires. | Blountsville Historic Downtown, Youth Tent Camping |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle, blue twilight after sunset; first artificial lights appear. | Camp Munsee, Summit Lake State Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, perfect for long-term exposures of illuminated structures and water surfaces. | Summit Lake State Park, Kamp Modoc |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Lake State | ISO 200 / f/8 / 10‐30 s (Stativ) | Use a tripod and an ND filter to smooth the water silky during the Blue Hour. |
| Blountsville Historic Downtown | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Position yourself in such a way that the cobblestone streets capture the golden light; use a light anti-light panel to control Lens fan. |
| Youth Tent Camping | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 1/60 s | Set the main light (storage fire) as background light and focus the tents in the foreground for a beautiful bokeh. |
| Camp Munsee | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/30 s | Choose the mirroring of the boat in the water; a pole filter reduces reflections and increases the contrast. |
| Kamp Modoc | ISO 400 / f/4 / 1/15 s (Stativ) | Photographers during the Blue Hour when the historical lamps shine; a light brightening in the RAW workflow emphasizes the warm tones. |
| Cabin Creek Raised Bog National Natural Landmark | ISO 100 / f/16 / 1/250 s | Use the late afternoon time for the neon-green moss; a macro lens (90 mm) allows detailed images of plants. |
Only a short drive away is Indianapolis. The skyline sometimes seems overloaded, but the graffiti walls in the neighborhoods around the Mass Ave offer surprisingly clear lines and colors. For street photography, the city centre is a bit too hectic, for that there are quiet side streets where the light falls through old brick facades.
However, this is rather what one expects from a big city. In Columbus, about an hour south, you will encounter modern architecture that looks almost like sculptures. The Indiana State Museum has a few clear geometric shapes that are well suited for abstract recordings. The city is more reluctant, almost sober – perfect when looking for clear, structured images.
Bloomington is located in the west, surrounded by hills and lakes. The campus of the university has old brick buildings, which are almost romantic in the morning light, but not cheesy. The nearby Lake Monroe offers reflections that blur a bit in windy weather, giving the photos an interesting touch.
If you prefer nature, the Hoosier National Forest is a good destination. The paths are not always well marked, that can lead to a bit of erraticity, but that makes the recordings more authentic. Especially in the autumn, when the foliage shines in yellow and red, atmospheric landscape images are created that do not seem to be set.
Madison am Ohio River has a historical cityscape that sometimes looks somewhat too touristy, but the old warehouses on the river banks offer rough textures and interesting shades. The view over the river at sunset is not exaggerated, rather a calm moment you can catch well.
A short detour to French Lick brings you to an old resort that today houses a casino. The blend of façades and modern lights creates an exciting contrast. The environment does not seem overloaded, rather neglected – ideal for photos that want to show history and present at the same time.
In short, The region around Blountsville offers more than just rural fields. From urban graffiti to silent forest paths, there is enough variety to expand your own picture treasure without repeating the same motifs.
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