Homecroft looks like a typical Mittwest city part at first glance, but the mix of old brick buildings and modern glass façades makes it an underestimated photo motif. I come back every year because the light here is surprisingly varied. Especially the small parks on the outskirts offer quiet scenes that you rarely find in the city. And yes, the cityscape at night has something you just have to hold.
On this page is a map tool of poi‐travel.de embedded. This allows you to calculate the solar position, display the direction by line and view the azimuth (horizontal angle) – a real gain for lighting planning.
The park is located directly on the river and offers a wide view of the skyline. Especially in spring, when the cherry blossoms blossom, a contrasting foreground arises to the glass façades. Opening hours: 24 hours, free admission. Best time for recordings: early morning when the water is still quiet. Insider tip: A short walk to the right leads to a small wooden bridge, which is ideal for reflections.
Gray Park is known for its sculpture plant and the small lake in the center. The light in the late afternoon casts long shadows that dramatically emphasize the metal figures. Entrance: free of charge, opening hours: 6 am to 2 pm. For the best picture: Wait until shortly after sunset, then use the blue hour for long-term exposures of the illuminated lake. Local note: The park is popular with families, so plan some patience.
The historic Old Theatre from the 1920s is the landmark of Homecroft. The neon green neon slaves shine particularly well during the Blue Hour. Admission: free, indoor recordings only with permission of management. Photo tip: Position on the opposite side of the road to have the entire building in the picture. Insider: On the first Friday of the month there is an open microphone that provides additional light sources.
A modern cultural centre with a glass facade that breaks the sunlight in rainbow colours. During the Golden Hour there is a spectacular color play. Admission: 5 USD, opening hours: 10 a.m.– 8 p.m. Best photo time: just before sunset when the light flows from inside to outside. Tip from locals: The small sculpture garden behind the building is less frequented and offers quiet pictures.
The mall is a paradise for street photography. The combination of glass roofs and retro advertising boards creates interesting patterns. Free admission, opening hours: 9 am to 21 pm. For the best picture: Use the Civil Twilight when the shop lights start. Insider proof: On the ground floor there is a small art installation of mirrors that capture reflections of visitors.
On a small hill, Bluff Park overlooks the river and the city. The view at sunset is spectacular because the sun goes behind the high-rises. Entrance: free, opening hours: 5 am to 23 pm. Photo tip: Bring a tripod to light the wide landscape in the blue hour. Local tip: The hidden viewpoint right from the main road is less overrun.
A large city park with a rose garden and a small amphitheater. The rose gardens shine particularly beautiful in the golden hour. Free admission, opening hours: 6 a.m.–22 a.m. Best time: Early morning for fog photos, later afternoon for colored flowers. Insider: The amphitheater has a discreet lighting at night, which provides interesting silhouettes.
A concert hall with a striking brick facade and large windows. During the Blue Hour, the windows reflect the city light. Admission: 3 USD for guided tour, opening hours: 10 am to 17 pm (except for events). Photo Tip: Position towards the main facade to capture the light play. Local note: Behind the auditorium there is a small garden that is rarely visited.
A tiny park between university buildings, ideal for urban detail. The small sculptures and the headstone plaster provide texture. Free admission, opening hours: 24 hours. Best time: noon when the sunlight falls through the trees. Insider: The small fountain in the middle produces interesting water tracks at a longer closing time.
The bronze statue is located in the centre of the historical district and is a popular photo motif for portraits. At sunset, the statue casts long shadows that make the image more dramatic. Entrance: free, opening hours: always accessible. Tip: Use the Golden Hour to direct the warm light to the bronze. Local tip: On the back of the statue there is a small inscription that is rarely photographed.
Homecroft combines urban architecture, green oases and a changing light game that enthuses every photographer. Whether you are looking for fast snapshots or for extended long-term exposures – the city delivers. Pack your tripod, use the map tool for the sun position and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that prevails here.
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 Homecroft, 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 Homecroft |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, diffuse light; Facades and nature shine in gold tones. | Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, Northwest Park, Statue of St. Francis, Southport Park |
| Sunset | Intensive evening colors, sun drops behind high-rises, reflections in the river. | Bluff Park, Southport Park, Statue of St. Francis |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, soft blue-tones, ideal for silhouettes and street photography. | Smith Mall, University Heights Pocket Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, artificial lighting dominates, perfect for long-term exposures. | Old Theatre, Gray Park, Ransburg Auditorium, Bluff Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Southport Park | 200 ISO / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the wooden bridge reflection element to reflect the water; a pole filter reduces reflections. |
| Gray Park | 400 ISO / f/5.6 / 30 s (Stativ) | Place the focus manually on the lake; use an ND filter to damp the light. |
| Old Theatre | 800 ISO / f/2.8 / 5 s (Stativ) | Catch the neon complaints by placing the white balance on “art light”. |
| Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center | 100 ISO / f/11 / 1/250 s | Position yourself in such a way that the glass reflects the sun; a polarization filter emphasizes the color play. |
| Smith Mall | 400 ISO / f/4 / 1/60 s | Use the loading lights as background; a light bokeh highlights people. |
| Bluff Park | 200 ISO / f/9 / 15 s (Stativ) | Choose the hidden viewpoint right from the main road for a quieter picture. |
| Northwest Park | 200 ISO / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Photographer the roses from a low perspective to emphasize the golden shades. |
| Ransburg Auditorium | 800 ISO / f/2 / 8 s (Stativ) | Focus on the illuminated windows; a light depth effect creates depth. |
| University Heights Pocket Park | 100 ISO / f/8 / 1/500 s | Use natural daylight; a light brightening filter ensures even colors. |
| Statue of St. Francis | 100 ISO / f/8 / 1/250 s | Compose the motif with the long shadows in the background to create depth. |
| University Heights Pocket Park | 200 ISO / f/4 / 1/80 s | Use the daylight to highlight the small details of the park. |
| Statue of St. Francis | 100 ISO / f/9 / 1/200 s | Choose the golden moment just before sunset to emphasize long shadows. |
Just a short trip to Indianapolis and you immediately have a whole graffiti kaleidoscope, old factory buildings and lively street corners. The skyline looks almost too big for the flat land around it, and the light in the early evening throws long shadows over the wide boulevards.
However, the heart of the city is not only the center. In the Fountain Square district you will find abandoned theatre halls that still carry a little patina from past film nights. The colorful facades are a good contrast to the sober concrete walls further north.
Broad Ripple acts like a small festival that never ends. The waterfront on the White River offers reflections that almost surreal in light fog. Here you can catch both people on skateboarding and quiet scenes of Anglern.
A short trip to Carmel leads you to the Arts & Design District. There are scurry sculptures in the middle of the sidewalk – perfect for a picture that gives a bit of humor. The streets look clean, but the light between the trees creates interesting patterns.
If you prefer to find something more rural, Zionsville is a small place with a main street lined by old brick houses. The shutters are often open, and the light falls through the grids, which creates a cozy, almost nostalgic feeling.
Brown County State Park is a bit further away, but the forests there are a paradise for nature photographers. The trails wind through leaves, which in autumn lights a bit too bright, and the viewpoints over the hills give you wide panoramas that are rarely crowded.
Eagle Creek Park is another green spot suitable for long-term exposures. The water in the lake reflects the sky, and when a wind blow crawls the surface, fascinating textures arise.
Westfield has a modern shopping center that looks rather inconspicuous from the outside, but the glass facades reflect the surrounding city life. Especially at sunset, there are colorful light plays that can easily be overlooked.
A short stop in Muncie will take you to Ball State Campus. The old brick buildings with their high windows offer a mixture of academic tranquility and urban hustle and bustle. Students on the way to the lecture give life to the picture.
Columbus is famous for its modern architecture, but this is not the only thing to see there. The steel structures of Eero Saarinen almost look like outdoor sculptures, and the light falling through the large windows creates interesting shadows.
New Castle has a historic courthouse that looks a bit worn out, but that's what makes the charm. The brick lanes all around are often empty so you can catch the structure without distractions.
Shelbyville is located on the White River and there is a small port where old boats are scattered. The water reflects the surrounding trees, and when a fisherman throws his leash, a short moment is created, which can be easily retained.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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