I discovered Dana for the first time on a road trip route and was immediately thrilled by the quiet atmosphere. The small streets, the historical cityscape and the surrounding nature offer plenty of photo opportunities. Especially the combination of historic buildings and wide fields makes the shooting exciting. If you're interested Sightseeing in Dana look, you're right here.
Civil Twilight – shortly after sunset when the city light is awake. Ideal for first lights in the alleys.
Golden Hour – the soft, warm light shortly after sunrise or before sunset. Search for the term “Golden Hour Dana” for your lighting design.
Sunset – the dusk over the few high-rise buildings of the surroundings creates dramatic silhouettes.
Blue Hour – the deep blue phase after sunset, perfect for long-term exposures of illuminated facades.
The map tool of poi‐travel.de is embedded under this text. You can calculate the position of the sun, display the direction by line and take into account the azimuth (horizontal angle) for your composition.
This museum is the central Landmark and dedicated to the famous war reporter Ernie Pyle. The original exhibition hall with old uniforms, letters and photos offers numerous details for close-ups. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Admission free, donations welcome. Best photo time: Early morning when the natural light falls through the high windows. Insider tip: Use the side entrance gate for an interesting frame motif with the museum sign in the background.
The park is a quiet green area with a memorial bench and a small lake. The combination of water reflections and the surrounding trees makes it a popular Landmark for landscapes. Opening hours: all year round, 24 hours; Free admission. Photo Tip: During the Blue Hour, the lights of the nearby village are reflected in the water – a perfect place for long-term exposures. Insider evidence: The path to the viewpoint is slightly increased, so bring a tripod.
The historic town hall from the early 20th Century is an architectural highlight. The red bricks and the original movement on the facade offer strong contrasts. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm; Free admission. Ideal for recordings during the Golden Hour when the sunlight lets the bricks shine reddishly. Insider tip: The small side door has an artistic glass window – an underestimated detail for macro photos.
A spacious park with playgrounds, a small amphitheater and ancient oaks. The wide green areas and the open view of the sky make it a versatile Landmark. Opening hours: 6 am to 10 pm; Free admission. For panoramic recordings, dusk is recommended when the lights of the village emerge behind the trees. Insider proof: The hill in the northern part offers a wide view over the surrounding area – perfect for sunset silhouettes.
The old railway station is a relic of railway history and a popular photo pot. The brick construction, the wooden roof and the old warehouse form a strong picture. Opening hours: accessible at any time, as the building is no longer actively used; Free admission. The best time is the Blue Hour when the weak light dips the tracks into a mystical blue. Insider tip: Photographers from the opposite side of the track to see the tracks as a guideline.
The library is a modern Landmark with large glass front and clear lines. Inside there are quiet reading corners that are well suited for indoor shooting. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm; Free admission. The morning light that falls through the glass front creates soft shadows – ideal for portraits. Insider proof: In the back reading room there is an old wooden window that offers a beautiful frame motif.
Whether you're looking for historic buildings, quiet parks or interesting light moods, Dana has everything. The mixture of small Sightseeing in Dana and the changing light phases make the city an underestimated photo magnet. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the sun position and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
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 Dana, 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 Dana |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset | Dana Town Hall, Ernie Pyle World War II Museum |
| Sunset | Dramatic silhouettes, warm colours on the horizon | Dana Community Park |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight shortly after sunset, first city lights | Ernie Pyle Rest Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, ideal for long-term exposures | Ernie Pyle Rest Park, Dana Depot |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Ernie Pyle World War II Museum | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Use the auxiliary gate as a frame; Focus on the museum sign. |
| Ernie Pyle Rest Park | ISO 400 / f/8 / 10‐30 s (Stativ) | Position the camera at the elevated viewing point for reflections in the water. |
| Dana Town Hall | ISO 100 / f/4 / 1/250 s | Photograph the red brick facade during the Golden Hour; use the glass window for macro details. |
| Dana Community Park | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/60 s | On the north hill for panoramic sunsets; use a wide angle. |
| Dana Depot (historical railway station) | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 15‐20 s (Stativ) | compose the rails as a guideline; use the Blue Hour for mystical blue. |
| Dana Public Library | ISO 200 / f/2.0 / 1/200 s | Use the light through the glass front in the morning; old wooden window for frame portraits. |
Covington is just a bit further west. The old railway bridge over the Wabash looks like a silent witness of past times – perfect for silhouettes in counterlight.
However, the city centre of Terre Haute is a bit more chaotic. Graffiti on the brick walls, abandoned warehouses and the light falling through narrow alleys give a rough feeling.
Newport on the river has a small port where old boats are barking on the bridges. The water reflects the dusk, and a few gulls circle – a classic image that never gets boring.
If you like wide fields, go to Brazil. There is an old grain silo that is illuminated at night. The contrast between metal and the dark sky is surprisingly strong.
Rockville is a bit remote, but the proximity to the Wabash River is good to use. The river run, surrounded by trees, offers calm reflections, especially after a light rain.
A short trip to Clinton brings you to a small city centre with historic façades. The shutters that hang slightly inclined give the whole a slightly weathered charm.
West Lebanon has an old mill wheel that is still occasionally driven by water. The play of light and shadow between the wooden slats is a nice detail for close-ups.
In short, The surroundings of Dana are a patchy carpet of industry, nature and small cityscapes. Each place has its own corners that reward a bit of patience and a good eye.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
