Speedway is located right next to Indianapolis and is known especially for the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The city has surprisingly many green oasis and historic places that are perfect for image compositions. I like Speedway, because the combination of racing tracks and quiet parks offers a broad spectrum of light. For photography lovers, this is a real treasure because you can do both action and landscape recordings here.
I'm planning to create the picture that the city summarizes in a single picture. I use the different light phases for this:
On this page, a map tool by poi‐travel.de is integrated, which calculates the position of the sun and indicates the direction as a line. The azimuth (the horizontal angle) is also displayed so that you can plan the exact alignment for your recording.
The IMS is the heart of Speedway – here are the famous Indy 500. For photos, the Grandstand perspective at Turn 1 is particularly impressive because the grandstand glows in the sunset and the race track shines. Opening hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., admission to the $15 racetrack, for the tour $25 (book online before). Best time: Golden Hour when the light emphasizes the asphalt markings. Insider tip: Early in the morning, shortly after Civil Twilight, there are hardly any visitors, so you can make undisturbed long-term exposures during the Blue Hour.
The Pagode is an iconic photo motif that is well suited for silhouettes at sunset. The square offers a free view to the north, where the skyline can be seen in the background. Free admission, opening hours 8 a.m.–20 a.m. Ideal for recordings during the Blue Hour, because the light dips into a gentle blue. Insider tip: Use the nearby water basin for reflections – a short rain shower can make the picture even more interesting.
The hill along the North Geraden offers an elevated view over the entire route. Especially at the Golden Hour, the light casts long shadows that emphasize the curves. Admission via the IMS, no extra costs. Visit the late afternoon, when the sun is deep, gives dramatic contrasts. Insider tip: Bring a tripod because the lighting conditions change quickly and you have to adjust the exposure.
A small but well-maintained park with a lake that is ideal for reflections. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission. The best photos are created during the Blue Hour when the water reflects the deep blue skylight. Insider tip: The small wooden pavilion on the western end offers an interesting foreground element for silhouettes.
The park is close to the Speedway and has a long, straight path that serves as a natural guide for image composition. Opening hours: 7 am to 21 pm, free admission. During the Civil Twilight you can capture the first lights of the city that illuminate the way. Insider tip: Use the old trees on the edge for frame effects – they give the image depth.
The Dallara Factory produces racing cars for the IndyCar series. Guided tours are possible by appointment (cost $30). The outer facade with its large glass surfaces reflects the light particularly beautifully during the Golden Hour. Insider tip: Ask for a short photo appointment after the regular tour when the factory is less busy – you get a clear view of the production lines.
Although the park is slightly outside, it offers spectacular views over the lake and surrounding forests. Opening hours: 6 am to 23 pm, free admission. The southern access is ideal for sunset photos because the sun goes down above the water. Insider tip: A short walk to the Horizon Hill viewpoint provides a panorama that covers both the sky and the Skyline of Speedway.
Speedway combines rapid motorsport atmosphere with quiet natural areas, so you can use the whole spectrum of light as a photographer. Whether you want to catch the iconic race track at Golden Hour or find silent water reflections during the Blue Hour – the city provides the right locations. Pack your tripod, use the map tool for the sun position and enjoy the variety that Speedway has to offer.
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 Speedway, 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 Speedway |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, golden light emphasizes contours and asphalt markings. | Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), North Main Straight Spectator Mound, Dallara Factory |
| Sunset | Dramatic silhouettes, deep sun over water or skyline. | Eagle Creek Park (South access), IMS Pagoda Plaza |
| Civil Twilight | Soft dam light, first city lights begin to shine. | Shambaugh Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue sky, ideal for long-term exposures and reflections. | IMS Pagoda Plaza, Meadowood Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/250 s | Telephoto lens (70-200 mm) for counter-light stands; Tripod for long term at Blue Hour. |
| IMS Pagoda Plaza | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 2 s | Tripod + ND filter for silhouettes at sunset; Blue light while Blue Hour acts especially. |
| North Main Straight Spectator Mound | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/500 sWide aperture for depth of field, focus on asphalt markings; Golden Hour for long shadows. | |
| Meadowood Park | ISO 800 / f/4 / 5 s | Tripod + long term to capture water reflections in blue; Polarization filter for clear surfaces. |
| Shambaugh Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/60 s | capture the first city lights; Use the path as a guideline to the horizon. |
| Dallara Factory (visit) | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/200 s | Glass facade at Golden Hour for reflections; 24‐70 mm for production lines. |
| Eagle Creek Park (South access) | ISO 200 / f/9 / 1/125 s | Panorama tripod for sunset over the lake; foreground with silhouettes. |
However, Indianapolis is just a short trip away, and the skyline almost looks like a graffiti of concrete and glass. The streets of Mass Ave offer colourful facades that are well suited for high-contrast recordings. There are small cafés, whose signs almost float in the evening light.
The Broad Ripple district sometimes exaggerates, but this gives the place a rough charm. Graffiti at old warehouses, a river that glitters in the sunset – this is material for experimental long-term exposures.
Carmel, not far from the highway, surprises with a series of public sculptures that almost seem like futuristic installations. The light plays between the metal shapes are a good motive when you bring a little patience.
Brown County, a piece outside, looks quite relaxed. The woods there are a colour play in the autumn, which is well suited for natural photography. The paths are sometimes somewhat discarded, but that gives the images a certain depth.
Columbus is famous for its architecture, but this is not just a tourist cliché. The clear lines of the buildings, combined with the rough Indiana sky, create interesting silhouettes. You can also find abandoned factory buildings that look a bit melancholic.
New Castle has an old railway museum that is not overrun. The rusty tracks and the dusty locomotives offer an industrial aesthetic that is rarely found.
If you want water, the spirit reservoir is a good spot. The reflecting water reflects the surrounding trees, and almost a painting effect is created in fog. The place is not overrun, so you have time to observe the light.
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