Laurel is located in the heart of Indiana and at first glance looks like a quiet suburb, but the surroundings are full of interesting photo motifs. I like the city because it offers a mix of rural idyll and small historical highlights – perfect to shoot off the tourist paths. The Sightseeing in Laurel are surprisingly diverse, from old aqueducts to modern nature parks. For hobby photographers, the light is particularly good to plan here, because the skyline is hardly covered by high-rises.
My goal is always to make the best photo in Laurel. The first moment when the city lights in Civil Twilight starting to flicker, provides a gentle, blue light. For Golden Hour I recommend using the search term “Laurel Indiana golden hour” – that gives you the best time windows. The Sunset over the few but striking buildings on the outskirts creates dramatic silhouettes. If you love long term exposure, the Blue Hour ideal because the ambient light hardly disturbs. The map tool of poi‐travel.deembedded under this text shows you the position of the sun, the direction line and the azimuth, so you can plan the exact alignment of your camera.
The Boys Club Camp is a well-preserved youth camp site from the 1950s and is considered one of the most popular Attractions in Laurel. The rustic wooden huts and the open field offer great contrasts, especially with counterlight during the Golden Hour. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, free admission. Best photo time: Early morning when fog is above the meadow. Insider tip: Use the old campfire pin for silhouette recordings – the light game is particularly impressive there.
The Bear Creek Camp is another historical camp that today serves as a nature reserve. The combination of watercourse and old stone bridges makes it a real Landmark for landscape photographers. Opening hours: all year round, 24 hours, no entrance. Ideal for recordings at sunrise when the water is mirror-smooth. Insider proof: The small wooden ridge on the eastern shore is less frequented and offers clear lines for long-term exposures during the Blue Hour.
The Whitewater Valley Gateway Park is the central green piece of the city and houses hiking trails, picnic areas and a small amphitheater. As Landmark it scores with wide green areas, which are Golden Hour especially lively. Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., free admission. For the best picture: Position at the hill in the northwest, there you have a wide view over the valley. Insider tip: The old mill wheel on the south edge is a hidden photo motif that shines at dusk.
The Duck Creek Aqueduct is a historic building from the time of the Whitewater channels and is considered the highlight for architecture photography in Laurel. The stone arch and the clear water below it form a classic Landmark. Opening hours: 24 hours, free admission. The best time for recordings is the late afternoon light that emphasizes the stone structure. Insider Note: If you bring a tripod, you can Blue Hour make long exposures and turn the water into a velvety band.
The Metamora Corn Maze is not only a maize maize maize maize, but also a seasonal LandmarkComplex with art installations and light shows. Opening hours: April to October, 10 am to 6 pm, admission approx. 5 USD. For photography fans, the late afternoon light is ideal because the high maize stems cast long shadows. Insider tip: The central sculpture of recycled metal shines particularly well at sunset – a perfect spot for silhouettes.
The Whitewater Canal Memorial is the official landmark of Laurel and recalls the history of the canals. The monumental statue and the adjacent water basin form a striking Landmark. Opening hours: 8 am to 8 pm, free admission. The Light Golden Hour makes the bronze shine and creates beautiful reflections in the water. Insider proof: From the west side you have the best view of the statue when the light comes from the right – that creates depth in the picture.
The Delaware Camp is a small but fine natural camp with hiking trails along the river. It is a quiet Landmarkespecially popular with birdwatchers. Opening hours: all year round, 24 hours, no entrance. For photography lovers, the early morning is ideal because the water is still quiet and the fog swads lie above the river. Insider tip: The old wooden ridge at the southern end offers a perfect frame line for portraits in counterlight.
Laurel combines historical Attractions with natural beauty, so you can find a new image motif at any time of the day. Whether you're in town lights Civil Twilight or the calm atmosphere of the Whitewater Canal Memorial looking at sunset – the city always supplies surprising photos. If you are looking for a place where history, nature and good light meet, you should Sightseeing in Laurel do not miss.
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 Laurel, 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 Laurel |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; long shade, ideal for silhouettes. | Boys Club Camp, Whitewater Valley Gateway Park, Whitewater Canal Memorial |
| Sunset | Dramatic, red to orange light; Silhouettes of buildings and sculptures. | Metamora Corn Maze, Whitewater Canal Memorial |
| Civil Twilight | Dark blue light, city lights begin to shine; good mood for city shots. | Whitewater Canal Memorial |
| Blue Hour | Cool, deep blue after sunset; long-term exposed water surfaces are velvety. | Bear Creek Camp, Duck Creek Aqueduct |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Boys Club Camp | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | Use the campfire pin as a counterlight source; focus on the silhouette of the huts. |
| Bear Creek Camp | ISO 400 / f/4.0 / 30 s (Stativ) | Position yourself on the wooden ridge to capture the reflections in the water during the Blue Hour. |
| Whitewater Valley Gateway Park | ISO 100 / f/8 / 1/500 s | shoot from the Northwest hill; the mill wheel provides a strong counterlight motif. |
| Duck Creek Aqueduct | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/125 s | Use the late afternoon light to emphasize the stone arch; for Blue Hour a tripod and 10 seconds exposure. |
| Metamora Corn Maze | ISO 400 / f/5.0 / 1/200 s | Start the central sculpture in the foreground, while the sun falls behind the rows of maize. |
| Whitewater Canal Memorial | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s (Golden/Blue Hour) | Choose a low angle to emphasize the water reflections at Civil Twilight and Sunset. |
| Delaware Camp | ISO 800 / f/3.5 / 1/60 s | In the case of weak light in the forest activate the image stabilizer and place the focus manually on the foreground. |
Bloomington is not far away and has the IU campus as a loose scenery – old brick building, weathered paths, which is good for street and architectural photography. The campus sometimes acts a bit overrun, but early in the morning there is a quiet angle.
However, Bloomington's city centre is a mix of small shops and graffiti hands. The colors there can surprisingly well contrast, especially after a rain shower, when the puddles throw back the light.
A short trip to French Lick brings the old resort feeling. The decayed spas and the rusted giant wheel are perfect motives for a bit of nostalgic mood. Sometimes the whole looks a bit too touristy, but when you find the less visited corners, an interesting contrast is created.
Madison am Ohio River has a historic old town with brick houses that look almost like a movie. The river reflects the light, and with fog almost a painting effect is created. It's okay, but it can be pretty crowded on weekends.
Nevertheless, a detour to the Hoosier‐National Forum is worthwhile. The forest trails are not straight, that makes the picture exciting. Light beams through the canopy, a little moss on the tree trunks – that is what you want to combine when you want to combine nature and texture.
Brown County State Park is a bit further, but the hills and the old oaks offer great silhouettes. In autumn the foliage becomes colorful, but also in summer the green has a rich depth. The park sometimes acts a little overrun, but early in the morning it is almost empty.
Patoka Lake is a quiet lake, ideal for reflections. Boats that easily swing, and a few abandoned ridges give the picture a slightly melancholic flair. The sky there is often clear what makes the colors even more intense.
Columbus, Indiana, is famous for its modern architecture. The buildings are simple, but the lines and the game with light and shadow are a dream for anyone who likes clear forms. Sometimes the whole looks a bit too sterile, but you can balance it with counterlight and reflections.
Monroe Lake offers wide water areas and a few old fishing huts. The combination of water, sky and a bit of rust gives the image character. It's not the most famous spot, but that's what makes him interesting.
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