Upland is located in the heart of Indiana and at first glance looks like a small, quiet town. However, there are many Sightseeing in Upland, which are perfect for hobby and professional photographers. I like the city because it has surprisingly much character – from historical railway stations to modern campus plans. The mix of rural idyll and student life ensures varied motifs. Those who like to play with light almost always find the right moment.
The day begins with Civil Twilight when the first city lights glow in a tangible manner – ideal for silhouettes from the Upland Depot. Then follow the Golden Hour; just search for “Golden Hour Upland Indiana” and plan your recordings in the early evening. The sunset over the few buildings creates a warm color play that works particularly well in the Heritage Quad. When dusk starts, the Blue Hour comes, perfect for long-term exposures at the Samuel Morris Memorial Fountain. The map tool of poi‐travel.de is embedded under this text and shows you the position of the sun, the azimuth and the exact line of the direction of the sun – a real helper if you want to accurately determine the angle.
The historic railway station building is probably the most famous Landmark the city. The brick façade and the old Signals Board offer a classic Americana feeling. It becomes particularly impressive at Civil Twilight when the light breaks behind the rails and casts long shadows. The location on the main road also allows interesting recordings of passing vehicles.
Practical tips: The depot is accessible free of charge, opening hours are not available – it is open 24/7. For the best photo you should be there between 5:30 and 6:30 (depending on the season).
Insider: Right behind the depot there is a small parking lot from which you can work undisturbedly with a tripod without disturbing the transit traffic.
The entrance area of the university is a modern contrast to the historical buildings. The wide staircases, the glass roof and the sculpture “Faith and Learning” form a strong architectural motif. During the Golden Hour the glass throws a warm light on the stone slabs, which is excellently suited for detail.
Practical tips: The campus is open for visitors, free admission. The best lighting conditions are between 17:00 and 18:30 when the sun is deep.
Insider: On the adjacent lawn is a small rose garden, which provides colour accents in the background – a secret tip for portraits.
The Quad is the heart of the campus and at the same time one of the most popular Attractions for photographers. Old trees, paved paths and the central monument offer numerous composition possibilities. In the Blue Hour there is a cool blue that particularly highlights the green leaves.
Practical tips: The quad is accessible daily from 6 am to 2 pm, free entry. For long-term exposures, a tripod and an ND filter are recommended to mitigate the light.
Insider: At the southern end there is a hidden seat pavilion that is illuminated by small light chains at night – perfect for romantic recordings.
The fountain sculpture is a popular meeting place and a real photo magnet. The water reflects the light, particularly impressive during the Blue Hour, when the surrounding lanterns create a gentle light. The combination of water, stone and light creates dynamic image compositions.
Practical tips: The well is open 24 hours a day, free admission. For clear recordings in the evening you should be there between 19:30 and 20:30.
Insider: If you are standing a little further behind, you can catch the mirror image of the surrounding trees in the water – a little trick that many overlook.
The garden is a colourful paradise, especially in late spring and early summer. The azalea flowers offer strong red and pink tones, which are particularly saturated at the Golden Hour. The path leads to a small wooden bridge that provides a beautiful frame motif.
Practical tips: Opening hours are from 8 am to 6 pm, free admission. Early in the morning (before 9am) there are fewer visitors and the light is soft.
Insider: Behind the bridge there is a small pond in which the flowers reflect – a secret tip for macro- and detail recordings.
The old theatre is an architectural jewel with artistic facades and an illuminated marquee. At the Civil Twilight, the marquee shines in warm yellow tones, creating a nostalgic flair. Inside there is a magnificent lobby, which is particularly photogenic at night with indirect light.
Practical tips: The theatre is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., free admission to the lobby. For outdoor shooting, the time is recommended shortly after sunset.
Insider: In the back of the building there is a small staircase from which you can photograph the marquee from an unusual angle – a real eye-catcher.
Upland combines historical Attractions with a relaxed atmosphere that gives photographers plenty of space for creative experiments. Whether you want to capture the first lights at Civil Twilight or take advantage of the colors of the Golden Hour – the city offers suitable motifs for every light mood. The mixture of campus architecture, small parks and charming historic buildings makes photography a varied experience here. In short, Upland is an underestimated goal, with its many Sightseeing in Upland every camera makes you happy.
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 Upland, 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 Upland |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset, ideal for colour-intensive recordings. | Taylor University Main Entrance, Whipple Azalea Garden |
| Sunset | Intensive red to orange light, creates long shadows and dramatic silhouettes. | The Heritage Quad |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight shortly after sunset, city lights begin to shine – perfect for silhouettes. | Upland Depot, Mitchell Theatre |
| Blue Hour | Cool, deep blue light after dusk, ideal for long-term exposures and reflections. | The Heritage Quad, Samuel Morris Memorial Fountain |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Upland Depot | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use a tripod and photograph from the back of the depot to use the rails as guidelines. |
| Taylor University | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | Position slightly laterally to emphasize the glass roof with the sunlight; a polarization filter reduces reflections. |
| The Heritage Quad | ISO 800 / f/4 / 30 s (with tripod) | Use an ND filter to extend the blue light and soften the tree crowns. |
| Samuel Morris Memorial Fountain | ISO 400 / f/2.8 / 1/60 s | Focus on the falling water and use a light backlight for shiny drops. |
| Whipple Azalea Garden | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Choose the wooden bridge as the foreground and watch the golden light that dyes the azaleas. |
| Mitchell Theatre | ISO 800 / f/2.0 / 1/30 s (with tripod) | Use the illuminated marquee as a light source and experiment with silhouettes of the stairs in the background. |
However, the small Muncie is a good starting point – the old factory buildings on the Riverside offer rough textures that are well suited for black and white recordings. The street lights in the evening cast long shadows, and the light on the river almost randomly looks picturesque.
A short trip to Anderson brings the historic railway rail quartet. There are rusted tracks next to wilder trees; a contrast that is exciting for detail. The small cafés there have windows that break the light in interesting patterns.
Nevertheless, a detour to Marion is worth it. The old courthouse has a slightly weathered facade that gets a warm light at sunset. On the adjacent square there are some old benches that have a little too much foot traffic, but that makes the scene more authentic.
If you like nature, go to the Hoosier National Forest, not far from Upland. The forest paths are partly overgrown, the light breaks through the canopy and produces natural strips. A small stream there offers reflections that look almost too perfect – just the right thing for experimental long-term exposures.
In short, the town of Kokomo has some abandoned industrial facilities on the outskirts of the city. The rusty tanks and the empty warehouses sometimes exaggerate, but this gives you the opportunity to play with composition and negative space.
Another tip: the small village of La Fontaine, just a cat jump from Upland. There is an old water-mill building that is surrounded by Efeu. The light in the late afternoon makes the green shine almost, and the reflections in the water are a nice bonus.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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