Kempton is located in the middle of the rural Indiana and still has a surprisingly lively cityscape. The mix of historical buildings and wide fields provides contrasts that photographers appeal immediately. I like the city because it is not overrun and you find good lighting conditions almost everywhere. There are plenty of motifs for hobby and professional photographers, from quiet morning hours to dramatic evening lights.
I plan to shoot the image that captures the mood of the city – and that means knowing the light phases exactly. During the Civil Twilight the first city lights emerge and create a gentle, diffuse light that emphasizes facades beautifully. The Golden Hour is my keyword for the warm, golden lighting that fits especially well with the brick buildings. Shortly after sunset, when the skyscraper walls (the few high buildings) lie in the red shimmer, a more intense Sunsetthat you should not miss. The Blue Hour provides ideal conditions for long-term exposures because the blue light dips the city into a calm, almost mystical picture.
A practical tool is the map tool of poi‐travel.deembedded under this text. There you can calculate the solar position, display the direction as a line, and even view the azimuth (horizontal angle) – perfect to find the best location for each light phase.
The heart of the city is the Town Courtyard, an open square surrounded by historic brick buildings and an old clock. Locals, markets and occasional concerts meet here, making the happening again and again. For photos, the combination of architecture and human life is ideal, especially in Golden Hourwhen the light dips the facades into warm gold. Opening hours: open 24 hours, no entrance. Best time for recordings: early morning when the sun stands behind the trees, or shortly after sunset for the blue light. Insider tip: On the west side there is a small statue that looks particularly dramatic in counterlight.
This monument honors the founder of the city and stands at a slightly elevated location overlooking the main district. The bronze figure in front of a granite pedestal reflects the light very well, so details in the Civil Twilight to emerge. Admission free, the monument can be visited at any time. For the best picture, a short shot from the south side is recommended, where the light emphasizes the contours of the figure. Insider tip: If you bring a tripod, you can use long exposure times during the Blue Hour and immerse the monument in a gentle light.
The park is located on the river and offers wide green areas, old oaks and a small lake that reflects the light of the surroundings. Especially in autumn, when the foliage becomes colorful, colored reflections arise in the water – a dream for landscape photographers. The park is open daily from 6 am to 2 pm, free admission. The best photo opportunities are found in Golden Hour at the western end, where the sunlight dances over the lake. Insider tip: A hidden wooden ridge on the northern shore offers a quiet view that hardly other visitors use.
This smaller monument is located in a quiet side street and is surrounded by a small garden. The combination of stone, moss and the surrounding trees creates an almost fairy-tale ambience that works particularly with diffuse light. Opening hours: at any time, no admission. For an atmospheric picture, the Blue Hour** when the light falls through the trees and the monument lightly illuminated. Insider tip: If you bring a light reflector shield, you can direct the weak light to the inscription and highlight details.
A Victorian mansion from 19. Century, which today serves as a museum. The elaborate wood decoration and the large veranda roof offer numerous image cutouts, which Golden Hour especially warm. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 – 4 pm, admission 5 USD. The house is surrounded by a small garden full of flowers in the spring – an additional colour accent. Insider tip: On the back there is an old carousel that provides a great silhouette motif in counterlight.
The old railway station from the 1920s is a popular spot for retro photography. The brick walls, wooden waiting houses and the old locomotives offer strong lines and textures. Entrance free, the station is open during the day, closed in the evening. For a dramatic picture, the Civil Twilight** when the first lights of the city shine behind the rails. Insider tip: If you go a little further north, you will find an old freight car that creates a strong silhouette image in the backlight.
In short, Kempton is a compact place that still offers plenty of photo possibilities. Whether you are looking for the gentle morning hours, the warm evening light or the quiet Blue Hour, you will find suitable locations without crowds. Combined with friendly locals and reasonable prices, your photo trip becomes a relaxed experience that you like to repeat.
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 Kempton, 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 Kempton |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, golden light, ideal for brick buildings and architecture. | Kempton Town Courtyard, Kemp Memorial Park, The Dunham House |
| Sunset | Intensive red shimmer, dramatic silhouettes. | - |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle, diffuse light, first city light. | David Kemp Memorial, Kempton Historic Train Station |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue light, ideal for long-term exposure. | Joseph G. Kemp Memorial, David Kemp Memorial, Kempton Town Courtyard |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Kempton Town Courtyard | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Use the counterlight of the western statue for silhouettes; a light pole filter reduces reflections. |
| David Kemp Memorial | ISO 400 / f/8 / 1/60 s | Place yourself south to emphasize the bronze detail in the Civil Twilight; a tripod for Blue-Hour-Longtime. |
| Kemp Memorial Park | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/250 s | photographers from the northern foothills; use the golden appearance above the lake for reflections. |
| Joseph G. Kemp Memorial | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 1/30 s | Use a small reflector shield to emphasize the inscription during the Blue Hour. |
| The Dunham House | ISO 200 / f/4 / 1/100 s | Start the house from the back to use the carousel in counterlight as a silhouette. |
| Kempton Historic Train Station | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/80 s | Choose the freight car in the north for silhouettes; Civil Twilight delivers gentle city lights in the background. |
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A detour to Zionsville is worth looking for the flair of a small but well maintained city; the cobblestone streets and small boutiques offer nice details for close-ups.
Anderson has an old railway museum that shows abandoned tracks and rusty wagons – a bit melancholic, but very photogenic.
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Brown County State Park is a bit further away, but the hilly landscape with autumn colors is a classic for landscape photography without being overrun by tourists.
If you want more nature, look at the Hoosier National Forest; the dense forests and small streams give you many possibilities for long-term exposures.
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