Elizabethtown is located in the heart of Indiana and surprises with a mix of small parks, interesting sculptures and historic places. For photography lovers, the city is a quiet playground where you can experiment without crowds. I like Elizabethtown because the light moods change quickly here and every corner offers a new motif. In particular, Sightseeing in Elizabethtown can be captured well in the various times of the day.
I plan the shooting around four light phases: Civil Twilight for the first lighting of the city lights, Golden Hour – here the keyword for warm, soft lighting, Sunset over the few buildings and the Blue Hour for long exposures with deep blue sky. On the side of poi‐travel.de there is a map tool that calculates the position of the sun and indicates the direction as a line. Here you can enter the azimuth (horizontal angle) and immediately see where the light is best.
The CERA is the central Landmark the city and combines a small museum with an outdoor exhibition area. The modern glass facades reflect the light particularly beautifully during the Golden Hour, while the surrounding trees provide a contrasting background in autumn. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9–17 hrs., weekend closed; Free admission. Insider tip: The small bridge at the north end of the lake offers a quiet view of the reflection of the buildings at sunset.
The Eco Lake Park is a popular Landmark-Spot for natural and water photography. The lake is located in a light trough, so that the water at Civil Twilight captures the first city light. The route is well signposted, and there is a small observation deck that is ideal for long-term exposures during the Blue Hour. Opening hours: daily 6–22, free admission. Insider tip: Early in the morning, when the fog is still lying, mystical silhouettes of the trees arise in the water.
Old Scipio Park is a historical Landmark- area with a restored pavilion and old stone walls. The wooden benches and the headstone plaster provide texture for detailing, especially when the light is deep in autumn. Opening hours: 7–20, free admission. Insider tip: The view from the hill in the southwest captures Elizabethtown's skyline when the city lights awaken to the Civil Twilight.
Clifty Creek Park is a small but finer Landmark- Place with a brook skating over pebbles. The bridge over the brook is a popular motif for silhouettes at sunset. The park is open from 8 am to 7 pm, free admission. Insider tip: Position on the west side of the bridge to capture the warm light behind the trees – perfect for the Golden Hour.
The metal sculpture “Flight” is the most striking Landmark in the center and is particularly exciting when illuminated by street lights during the Blue Hour. It stands on a small square, which is hardly alive at night, so long exposures can be achieved without disturbances. Opening hours: accessible around the clock, no entrance. Insider tip: Use the nearby café as a starting point; from there you have a slight angle of view that emphasizes the reflections in the metal.
Yellowwood Coral is a colourful installation of recycled wood, located on the river bank and immersed in warm gold at sunset. The structure casts interesting shadows on the water, ideal for experimental long-term recordings. Opening hours: 6–23, free admission. Insider tip: If you use a tripod with a slight inclination, you will catch the reflection of the colors in the water especially well.
The Garden of Gethsemane is a small, well-maintained garden that is a quiet Landmark for portrait and macro photography. The rose arches and the small water game create a gentle light play during the Golden Hour. Opening hours: daily 8–19, free admission. Insider tip: The hidden seat behind the large olive tree offers an intimate light when the sun is just above the horizon.
A short trip to Elizabethtown is worthwhile because the city with its diverse Sightseeing in Elizabethtown and offers the changing light moods a perfect photo terrace. Whether you are looking for urban reflections, quiet natural panoramas or artistic sculptures – here you will find everything you need for a strong picture.
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 Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft lighting, long shade, ideal for reflections and silhouettes. | CERA, Clifty Creek Park, Garden of Gethsemane, Yellowwood Coral |
| Sunset | Sunny red and gold light, dramatic sky, perfect for silhouettes. | CERA, Clifty Creek Park, Yellowwood Coral |
| Civil Twilight | First lighting of the city lights, soft blue light, ideal for water reflections. | Eco Lake Park, Old Scipio Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue sky, long exposures, artificial lighting emphasizes structures. | Flight – Sculpture, Eco Lake Park, Yellowwood Coral |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| CERA – Community Education & Recreation Area | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the Nordde-Steg for reflections; Polfilter reduces unwanted reflections. |
| Clifty Creek Park (bridge) | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | West of the bridge to capture the warm light behind the trees. |
| Garden of Gethsemane | ISO 100 / f/4 / 1/200 s | Photographers the hidden seat behind the olive tree for gentle light accents. |
| Eco Lake Park (observatory deck) | ISO 800 / f/11 / 30 s | Tripod + ND filters for long-term exposures during the Blue Hour. |
| Old Scipio Park (Hügelblick) | ISO 400 / f/8 / 1/60 s | Use the soft light of the Civil Twilight to emphasize skyline and stone walls. |
| Flight – Sculpture | ISO 1600 / f/2.8 / 20 s | Place the cafe as a light source; focus on metal reflections. |
| Yellowwood Coral | ISO 800 / f/5.6 / 15 s | light inclination of the tripod for reflections in the water; use the colors of the sky. |
Bloomington is not far away and offers a quite loose cityscape. The university with its old brick buildings sometimes acts overrun, but the morning hours bring a soft light that emphasizes the facades beautifully. The nearby Lake Monroe is a good place for reflections when the water is still.
Indianapolis is of course bigger, but the city center has corners that are easily overlooked. The graffiti walls in the Mass Ave district are colorful, but not cheesy – rather a rough contrast to the smooth high-rise buildings. A short trip to the Canal Walk provides quiet water surfaces that reflect the city's life.
Madison am Ohio River has a charming historical core. The old brick houses are close to each other, and the light falls particularly beautifully in autumn through the narrow alleys. The river itself offers occasional fog that makes the silhouettes of the bridges appear mystical.
French Lick is rather a spa resort, but the surrounding forests and hills are a paradise for landscape photographers. The old hotels seem a bit distorted, which can give the picture a nostalgic touch. In winter, snow is often on the trees – a short stop is worth it.
Corydon, the old capital of Indiana, has a quite relaxed flair. The small shops along Main Street are not overloaded, and the old government buildings give a little story. Especially at sunset, the light throws long shadows over the paved roads.
New Albany on Ohio River has an industrial heritage that is well suited for high-contrast recordings. The old factory choir stones are located next to modern residential areas, and the interplay sometimes seems chaotic, but that's what makes the appeal. The Riverfront Park offers wide lines of view over the water.
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