Avon is located in the heart of Central Indiana and combines small city atmosphere with surprisingly many open areas. I like the mix of modern residential areas and old field paths – this is always new angles. For photographers, the city is a silent laboratory where light, architecture and nature can be easily brought together. Especially the short dawning phases are almost tangible here.
I plan the picture around Civil Twilightwhen the first city lights begin to flicker. The Golden Hour is my keyword for soft, warm light – a short search term that helps me anchor the lighting in the calendar. The Sunset over the few buildings there is a dramatic color play that I don't want to miss. For long-term exposures, Blue Hourwhen the sky becomes deep blue and lights draw long traces. The map tool, which is integrated under this text on poi‐travel.de, shows the position of the sun and gives the azimuth as a horizontal angle – practically to determine the direction exactly.
The center is located on the edge of the city centre, surrounded by forest roads and a small lake. The open field in front of the main entrance is ideal for recordings because you can catch the sky without disturbing trees. Opening hours: daily from 8 am to 6 pm, free admission. In the late afternoon, shortly before the Golden Hour, throws the light long shadow over the grass – perfect for silhouettes. Insider tip: The wooden ridge at the lake reflects the light particularly well when the water is still.
The historical barn is the landmark of the city and a popular background for portraits. The red brick roof contrasts strongly with the blue sky, especially to Blue Hour. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–17 p.m., free admission. In the morning there are hardly any visitors, so you can work undisturbed. A local photographer recommends using the upper floor window to direct the light from the inside to the outside.
A water park with large fountains and a long promenade. The water reflects the light of the Sunset- Phase, which leads to interesting color reflections. Entrance: $5 for adults, $3 for children, opening hours 10 a.m.–22 a.m. in summer. The best time for recordings is about 30 minutes before sunset when the water is still clear and the lights begin to shine. Tip: The small pavilion at the end of the promenade offers a protected space for long-term exposures.
A spacious park with meadows, trees and a small amphitheater. The open lawn is a classic photo location for wide-angle recordings. Opening hours: 6 am to 23 pm, free admission. To Civil Twilight awakens the amphitheater with gentle lights that create a beautiful counterlight. Local joggers say that the wooden bridge over the brook is particularly photogenic at 7 p.m. because the light is filtered by the trees.
A nature reserve with dense beech forests and narrow paths. For forest photography, the area is ideal because the light diffuses through the canopy. Admission free, opening hours round the clock, but a visit is recommended between 5 am and 8 pm for soft morning light. The small viewpoint on the southern edge offers a wide view over the valley – a great space for panoramic views during the Golden Hour. Insider: A hidden stream behind the oak bar creates beautiful reflections when the water is calm.
A quiet place with a large memorial and a number of trees that offer a warm color play in autumn. The stone arch in the center has a particularly strong counterlight Blue Hour. Free admission, opening hours 24 hours. The best hour for night photography is shortly after sunset when the lighting of the monument still lights weakly. A local veteran recommends using the microphone poster in the background to generate depth.
A small dog park with colorful play equipment and an open meadow. The colourful structures are suitable for lively compositions during the Golden Hour. Free admission, opening hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. When the dogs play, spontaneous motion recordings are created that make the image dynamic. Tip: The small hill on the north end gives an elevated view, ideal for city panoramas with the surrounding fields.
Avon is not a Metropole-Mekka, but that makes it a relaxed photo lab. Here you will find quiet nature, historical buildings and modern leisure areas that offer all different light moods. With the poi‐travel.de map tool, the sun can be precisely planned so that a new image potential can be found every hour of the day. In short, if you are looking for good light and little crowds of people, you are right in Avon.
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 Avon, 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 Avon |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Soft, warm light, long shadow, ideal for silhouettes and reflections. | Avon Outdoor Learning Center, Burnett Woods Nature Preserve, Paw Park |
| Sunset | Dramatic color play, warm tones, reflections in the water. | Murphy Aquatic Park |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, gentle mating light, ideal for city panoramas. | Washington Township Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue sky, long exposure times, light tracks. | Avon Town Hall Barn, WWII Memorial Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Avon Outdoor Learning Center | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/250 s | Use the wooden web as a mirror surface and position yourself against the light for silhouettes. |
| Avon Town Hall Barn | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/60 s | Photographer the upper window in blue sky to guide light from inside to outside. |
| Murphy Aquatic Park | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/125 s | Sit at the pavilion to catch the sunset light in the water; use a pole filter. |
| Washington Township Park | ISO 320 / f/4 / 1/200 s | Position yourself on the wooden bridge to use the counterlight of the amphitheater. |
| Burnett Woods Nature Reserve | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 1/500 s | Start the diffuse morning light; use the panoramic viewpoint. |
| WWII Memorial Park | ISO 1600 / f/2 / 10 s | Place the tripod behind the stone arch and use the weak illumination of the Blue Hour. |
| Paw Park | ISO 200 / f/5 / 1/1000 s | Use the small hill for increased perspectives and start playing dogs in warm light. |
Only a short jump to the north is Carmel. The city looks almost like an open photo studio: modern sculptures, broader streets and a few hidden graffiti corners, which are easily overlooked when you only drive through the center.
A bit further west, in Zionsville, you immediately feel the little town feeling. Headstone plasters, old wooden houses and a small river that swells through the center – perfect for exposures in the backlight when the sun disappears behind the trees.
Southwest of Avon, towards Bloomington, there is the Indiana University Campus area. The old brick buildings, the green lawn field in front of the auditorium and the occasional student life give a little urban flair that you don't find in every small town.
A short trip to Columbus brings you to a city that boasts modern architecture. The clear lines of the public buildings, the play of light and shadow on the concrete surfaces – this is another type of picture material, almost minimalist.
If you prefer nature, go to Brown County State Park. The forests there are dense, the paths are angled, and in autumn the foliage turns into a colorful kaleidoscope. Sometimes it's a little overrun, but early in the morning it's almost still.
A bit further south is the Hoosier National Forest. There are old trees that look almost cartiful, and a few remote streams that break the light. Ideal for long term exposure when you have a tripod.
Westfield has a large shopping center, but off of which there is an old railway museum with rusty wagons. The metal structure, the grate pattern – you can hold it well in black and white.
Fishers, right next to Avon, has a few new residential areas, but the real highlight is the local art district. There are wall paintings that are sometimes too colorful, but that makes the contrast to the surrounding houses.
Finally, if you have the time, look at the little town of New Castle. The old factory hall there looks a bit dim, but the light falling through the broken windows creates interesting shadows.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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