Cordry Sweetwater Lakes is located in the heart of Indiana and offers a surprisingly varied landscape. There are countless photo stands for hobby and professional photographers, from quiet forests to open water areas. I like the city because it looks calm, but at the same time provides enough interesting motives to fill the day with the camera. The Sightseeing in Cordry Sweetwater Lakes not only for hikers are a highlight, but also for picturemakers a real find.
The first step is to know the light cycle. During the Civil Twilight, the first city lights appear – perfect for silhouettes. The Golden Hour delivers warm, diffuse light that makes almost every motif flattering; simply search for “Golden Hour Cordry Sweetwater Lakes” in the map tool of poi‐travel.de. The sunset over the far hills gives dramatic colors, while the Blue Hour is ideal for long-term exposures of reflective water surfaces. The tool shows you the solar position, the exact azimuth direction and allows you to capture a line so that you can determine the optimal alignment of your camera.
This forest area is the main attraction in Cordry Sweetwater Lakes and is considered one of the best Attractions for nature photography. Density beech, moss-covered tree trunks and a small brook create an almost fairy-tale light play, especially in spring when the underwood blossoms. The entrance is free, the area is open from sunrise to sunset. For the best picture I recommend the Golden Hour when the light breaks through the canopy. Insider tip: A short walk to the right from the main road leads to a hidden viewpoint from which you can catch the sunset over the lake.
A relatively new Landmarkcomplex opened in 2024, covering over 150 hectares of wilderness. The extensive prerias and the wildflower field offer strong colors that are particularly well appreciated in the Blue Hour. The Preserve is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the entry costs 5 USD per vehicle. Photographers here in the late afternoon when the light dips the grasses in gold. Insider proof: The small wooden ridge on the southern shore of the lake is a popular spot for reflections – early in the morning it is still human.
Betley Woods is a well preserved Landmark with old oaks and a small waterfall, which is particularly photogenic in autumn. The park is free and accessible from 7 am to 8 pm. The Civil Twilight is ideal here because the shimmering water reflects the first city lights. For long-term exposures during the Blue Hour you should take a tripod. Insider tip: The path behind the waterfall leads to a small light, which in contrast allows a spectacular silhouette image.
This forest area is an off-the-beaten-Path Landmark, which is especially popular with autumn photographers. The deep valleys and the dense pine wood create dramatic shadows that emerge intensively in the Golden Hour. The entrance is free, opening hours are from sunrise to sunset. The best time for recordings is shortly after sunrise when the light breaks through the foliage. Insider proof: An old abandoned hunting lodge ruin on the northern edge offers a great motive for night photography when you use the Blue Hour.
An unusual Landmarkwhich was restored in 2023 and today serves as a small museum. The chapel has a simple but impressive interior, which has a particularly atmospheric effect in light. Entrance: 3 USD, opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–16 a.m. For an atmospheric picture, the Civil Twilight is recommended when the light falls through the stained glass windows. Insider tip: The small cemetery behind the chapel offers calm compositions, especially if the leaves are colourful in autumn.
Youngman Woods is another central Landmark with a network of hiking trails and a small lake that is frozen in winter. The entrance is free, the area is open from 6 am to 22 pm. The Blue Hour provides spectacular reflections, especially when fog is above the water. For the Golden Hour it is worth a walk along the northern shore, where the light dips the leaves in warm orange. Inside evidence: A hidden wooden ridge in the southwest of the lake is ideal for long-term exposures of star tracks.
The park is a popular Landmark for families, but also for photographers looking for wide green spaces and a small lake. Entrance: free, opening hours: 7 am to 21 pm. The best photos are created during the Golden Hour when the light dips the wide meadows in gold and the reflections in the lake are particularly clear. For night recordings, the Blue Hour is recommended when the parking light illuminates the paths. Insider tip: The old wooden pavilion at the western end of the lake offers an interesting frame motif for sunsets.
A holiday in Cordry Sweetwater Lakes combines relaxed nature with a wealth of Sightseeing in Cordry Sweetwater Lakeswhich are photographically worthwhile at any time of day. Whether you want to capture the first lights of the Civil Twilight, use the warm light of the Golden Hour or use the calm Blue Hour for long-term exposures, you will find the right spots and the necessary know-how to lift your images to the next level.
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 Cordry Sweetwater 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 Cordry Sweetwater Lakes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, diffuse light, ideal for landscapes and forest shooting. | Whip‐poor‐will Woods, Mountain Tea State Forest, Johnson County Park, Youngman Woods, Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow |
| Sunset | Intense colors, long shadows, dramatic sky. | Whip‐poor‐will Woods (Objective), Johnson County Park (Holzpavillon), Youngman Woods (Nordufer) |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, silver light, good for silhouettes. | Betley Woods at Glacier's End, Italian Prisoner of War Chapel, Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, ideal for long-term exposures and water reflections. | Betley Woods at Glacier's End, Youngman Woods, Johnson County Park, Mountain Tea State Forest (Ruine), Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Whip-poor-will Woods | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Use a light tripod to emphasize the light through the canopy; Focus on the brook. |
| Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow | ISO 400 / f/8 / 1/250 s | Position yourself on the wooden ridge for reflections; use pole filters to control reflections. |
| Betley Woods at Glacier's End | ISO 800 / f/4 / 30 s | Tripod and ND filter for long-term exposure of the waterfall during Blue Hour. |
| Mountain Tea State Forest | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/60 s | Use the hunting lodge ruin as the foreground; golden light behind the trees. |
| Italian Prisoner of War Chapel | ISO 400 / f/2.8 / 1/30 s | Games with stained glass light; a tripod is recommended with weak light. |
| Youngman Woods | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 20 s | long-term exposure of the reflecting lake; Fog strengthens the mood. |
| Johnson County Park | ISO 640 / f/4 / 15 s | Start the illuminated paths; use the wooden pavilion as a frame. |
Bloomington is not far away and has the campus of Indiana University. The old brick buildings cast interesting shadows, especially in the late afternoon. The nearby Lake Monroe offers quiet water areas that are well suited for reflections. Sometimes it's a bit over there, but early in the morning it's okay, almost empty.
However, Columbus has something very own: The city is a mecca for architecture photography. The buildings inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright almost look like sculptures in the cityscape. The combination of concrete and glass produces hard lines that contrast well with the surrounding trees. A short walk through the city centre is enough to take some unusual shots.
Nashville, Indiana, is a small place, but the bridge over the White River has a rustic charm. The water flows smoothly, and in autumn the bank trees turn into a warm red. It is not the typical tourist hotspot, so you can work there undisturbed.
French Lick is famous for its mineral sources, but the surrounding forests offer dense fog scenes when the weather plays. The old hotel buildings in the background give the pictures a hint of history. Sometimes it's a bit touristy, but when you get there early, you have the peace for yourself.
Brown County State Park is a bit further, but the hilly landscape is a dream for landscape photographers. The fields that shine golden yellow in summer and the forests that shimmer in autumn in all kinds of brown tones offer endless composition possibilities. The way to the viewpoint is a bit bumpy, but the result is worth it.
Muncie has the Ball State University campus stalls that score with modern sculptures and extensive green spaces. The combination of old brick architecture and contemporary art creates interesting contrasts. It is not overrun, rather a quiet place to experiment.
In short, Madison at the Ohio Riverbank is another worthwhile destination. The historical houses on the river banks reflect the water, especially at sunset. The old lighthouse gives the picture a striking anchor point. Sometimes the whole thing looks a bit too staged, but you can just use it.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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