Vernon is located on the banks of the Ohio River and has a surprisingly calm flair. The small alleys, the historical benches and the open green give many possibilities for picture compositions. I like the city because it is not overrun and you can easily get to the moment. For photographers there are numerous Sightseeing in Vernon, which are well suited for different light moods.
My goal is to crack a picture that captures both history and light. I start with the Civil Twilight when the first lights of the city begin to shine – this gives a soft, blue glow. Then comes the Golden Hour, which is my keyword for warm, golden lighting that emphasizes facades and trees. The sunset over the old factory chalkstones provides dramatic silhouettes. Later, in the Blue Hour, I set on long-term exposures to turn the lights of the road into flowing strips. 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. There you can see the azimuth – the horizontal angle – and plan exactly where the light comes from.
The Time Capsule is located in the heart of the city, right next to the town hall. She is an official Landmark, which was resealed in 2020 and is not opened until 2120. The metal housing reflects the late afternoon light particularly well when the sun is behind the trees. Opening hours: around the clock, as it stands in the public park, no entry. Best time for a photo: just before sunset when the light turns orange. Insider tip: a short walk from the Courthouse Picnic Tables brings you to a small hill from which you have the capsule in the foreground and the skyline in the background.
The picnic tables at Jennings County Courthouse are a popular meeting place and at the same time a photogenic Landmark. The historical stone benches offer clear lines and the brick building in the background. Opening hours: daily from 7 am to 22 pm, free admission. Ideal for the Golden Hour, because the warm light brings the red bricks to light. Insider proof: if you bring a tripod, you can capture the lights of the city during the Blue Hour in long exposures while the tables remain quiet in the foreground.
This commemorative bench is part of a series of Civil-War benches that were restored in 2023. It stands in the Vernon Open Space and is surrounded by trees, which creates a beautiful colour play in spring. The inscription is easily readable so that you can insert the historical detail into your image. Opening hours: Park is open 24 hours, no entrance. Best time of recording: Civil Twilight when the blue light illuminates the wood surface easily. Local tip: a short trip to nearby Veteran’s Memorial gives you additional perspectives.
The Victorian House of Mary Vawter is a restored 19th residential building. century and is considered one of the most striking Attractions the city. The elaborate wood decoration and the colourful window design offer many details for macro and architectural photography. Opening hours: Guided tours on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 – 2 pm, admission $5. For a picture in the Golden Hour, the west side is recommended because the sunlight falls through the windows and creates a warm indoor light. Insider: a short view to the right from the garden path gives you a frame of old oaks that surround the house.
The museum is the central point of contact for local history and houses original artefacts, including old photographs that can give you inspiration for your own recordings. It is an official Landmark with modern exhibition rooms. Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 – 5 a.m., Saturday 10 – 4 a.m., admission $3. The large glass roof lets the morning light fall – perfect for indoor shooting during the Civil Twilight. Tip from a long-term volunteer: the second floor has a small atrium that produces a beautiful light play at sunrise.
The nature reserve is located just outside the city centre but is a real secret tip for landscape and nature photography. There are several hiking trails, a small lake and an observation tower from which you can see the surrounding hill chain. Entrance free, opening hours: sunrise until sunset. For the Blue Hour, the tower is ideal because you can catch the last daylight over the valley while the stars appear slowly. Local note: a short trip to the adjacent Muscatatuck County Park offers additional water surfaces for reflections.
The Plaza in the centre of Vernon is equipped with a large metal sculpture illuminated at night. She is a modern Landmarkwell suited for night photography. Opening hours: around the clock, no entrance. The best time is the Blue Hour when the sculpture is immersed in warm light and you can use long exposures for light tracks. Insider tip: a small café directly opposite offers free Wi-Fi if you want to secure your pictures immediately.
Vernon combines historical Attractions with open nature and a relaxed atmosphere that makes photographing easy. Whether you are looking for the perfect Golden-Hour composition or planning long exposures in the Blue Hour, the city delivers matching locations. Pack your camera, use the poi‐travel.de card tool and enjoy the diversity of the lighting that Vernon 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 Vernon, 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 Vernon |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light with long shade; ideal for color depth and texture. | Courthouse Picnic Tables, Mary Vawter House |
| Sunset | Dramatic silhouettes, intense red to orange light. | Vernon Time Capsule |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle, blue glow after sunset; ideal for quiet, atmospheric recordings. | 1864 Civil War Memorial Bench, Jennings County Historical Society Museum |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, city lights begin to shine; perfect for long term exposures. | Courthouse Picnic Tables, Calli Nature Preserve, Stellar Plaza – Metal Art & Amphitheatre |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Vernon Time Capsule | 200 ISO – f/8 – 1/125 s | Use the light counterlight of the sun; position the camera slightly laterally to highlight the metal structure. |
| Courthouse Picnic Tables | 200 ISO – f/5.6 – 1/80 s | Select a light counterlight composition; respect the balance between front and back. |
| Courthouse Picnic Tables | 800 ISO – f/4 – 30 s | Use a stable tripod; integrate the illuminated city lights for dramatic night recordings. |
| 1864 Civil War Memorial Bench | 400 ISO – f/4 – 1/30 s | Focus on the wood massif gently illuminated by the blue light of the dusk. |
| Mary Vawter House | 200 ISO – f/5.6 – 1/80 s | Photographers through a window to connect the warm indoor light to the golden outdoor light. |
| Jennings County Historical Society Museum | 200 ISO – f/4 – 1/60 s | Use the atrium light for uniform illumination; avoid reflections in the glass. |
| Calli Nature Preserve (Turm) | 800 ISO – f/4 – 20 s | Use the tripod; keep the focus on the tower to capture the deep blue skylight. |
| Stellar Plaza – Metal Art & Amphitheatre | 800 ISO – f/2.8 – 15 s | Start the first city lights and use light tracks of passing vehicles for dynamics. |
However, Evansville is not only the largest city nearby, but also a collection of graffiti walls, old factory buildings and the wide Mississippi-Ufer. The skyline sometimes looks overloaded, but that's what gives you many contrasts for city recordings.
Newburgh is located directly on the river, where old wooden bridges and abandoned warehouses create a rough light play. In the morning, the water almost throws golden stripes, in the evening, on the other hand, the twilight is reflected in the puddles – perfect for long-term exposures.
Madison, a few hours further, has a historic neighborhood with cobblestones and sloping brick buildings. The streets sometimes seem too touristy, but if you are there early, you have the empty headstone feeling for your black and white recordings.
Henderson, Kentucky, is over the bridge. There is an old railway viaduct, which in counterlight almost looks like a shadow crack. The place is not overrun, so you can experiment calmly without people standing in the picture.
Carmi, Illinois, is a small place with an abandoned mill on the river. The gear is still visible, the water flows gently past – a classic motif for rustic landscapes.
Brookville, Indiana, has a little more nature. The nearby Whitewater State Park offers rushing rapids and moss-covered rocks. The light often breaks through the canopy, which leads to interesting spotlight effects.
If you're looking for something down, go to Metropolis, Illinois. There is the Superman statue museum, which looks a bit cheesy, but at night when the light falls on the statue, an almost surreal picture is created.
In short, The surroundings of Vernon are a patchy carpet of industry, river landscapes and small historic cities. Every place has its peculiarities, and that makes the photographing there a small adventure.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
