River Forest in Indiana looks like a quiet suburban town at first glance, but the mix of historic buildings, extensive green spaces and a small but charming city centre makes it a true photo paradise. I like to come back every time because the light here is surprisingly versatile – from soft morning rays to clear night lights. Especially the small details you overlook during the first walk can be captured with the camera and tell a story.
My goal is to cnip the picture best represented by River Forest. I use the four most important light phases:
On the side of poi‐travel.de is embedded a map tool that calculates the position of the sun and indicates the direction by line. The azimuth value (horizontal angle) can be taken directly into the camera app so that you can place the sun exactly in the picture.
The Anderson Museum of Art is the cultural heart of River Forest and the most photographed building. The modern glass facade reflects the surrounding green, while the sculpture gardens offer interesting lines in the foreground. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10-17, free admission for visitors under 18 years, otherwise 8 USD. Best time for recordings is the Golden hour when the light dips the glass surfaces into warm orange. Insider tip: On the roof there is a small viewing platform that is only accessible via the back door – there you have an undisturbed view over the river.
The central square is surrounded by historical lanterns and houses the iconic monument “Walking Man – Smilin’ Stan”. At night, the lanterns shine in a deep blue that is ideal for long-term exposures. Opening hours: around the clock, no entrance. For the best picture, you should come to the Blue Hour when the city lights just light up. Insider tip: The small fountain on the right of the monument throws fascinating reflections in light rain – a short rain shower can make the picture even more interesting.
Riley Park offers a wide view over the River Forest Lake, surrounded by ancient oaks. In spring the cherry trees flourish along the shore, a colourful contrast to the deep blue water. Opening hours: 6-22, free admission. The best photos are taken during the Civil Twilight when the water reflects the first city light. Insider tip: On the west side there is a hidden wooden ridge from which you can project the sunlight directly onto the treetops.
Hubbard Park is known for its artistically designed flower beds and the historical carousel. The carousel shines in warm yellow shades at night, ideal for atmospheric night recordings. Opening hours: 7–20, free admission. During the Golden hour, the light throws long shadows over the flowers, creating texture and depth. Insider tip: The small pavilion in the northern part has an open roof – there you can filter the sunlight through the window shutters and create interesting light patterns.
Edgewater Park is located directly on the river and offers a wide ridge that reaches the water. The bridge is a popular place for silhouette recordings, especially at sunset. Opening hours: 5‐23, free admission. You will get the best results when you focus the camera on the horizon and use the water as a mirror. Insider tip: In the case of light fog in the early morning a mystical effect is created, which makes the image almost surreal.
Fairview Park is a small but fine place with a historic water tower that guards over the city. The tower is illuminated at night and offers a strong motif for night photography. Opening hours: 6–21, free admission. During the Blue Hour you can photograph the tower in combination with the surrounding trees – the light creates a beautiful counterlight. Insider tip: On the back of the tower there is an old masonry, which is particularly structured in counterlight.
The Shadyside Memorial Park is a quiet place with a small monument and many old trees. In autumn, the leaves are coloured in bright red and gold, a perfect background for portraits. Opening hours: 7–20, free admission. The best light hour is the golden hour when the light falls through the canopy. Insider tip: Right behind the monument there is a small pond whose surface breaks the light like a prism – a short stop there is worth it.
River Forest combines small city idyll with surprisingly many photo possibilities. Whether you want to capture the golden rays above the museum, the nightly lights at Public Square or the calm nature at Edgewater Park – there is the right motif for every light phase. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the sun position and get inspired by the local secret tips. You will notice that a short stay here provides more pictures than you expect.
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 River Forest, 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 River Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; long shade, golden tones. | Anderson Museum of Art, Hubbard Park, Shadyside Memorial Park |
| Sunset | Red to orange light, silhouettes, long shade over the water. | Edgewater Park |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight after sunset, blue city light, ideal for reflections. | Riley Park |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue, city lights begin to shine, perfect for long term exposures. | Public Square, Fairview Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Museum of Art | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the roof observatory for a clear view over the river; focus on the glass facade. |
| Public Square | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 10 s | Put the camera on a tripod and use a remote control for clean long-term exposures of the lanterns. |
| Riley Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/60 s | Position yourself on the wooden ridge to emphasize the incident sunlight on the tree crowns. |
| Hubbard Park | ISO 200 / f/11 / 1/250 s | Shoot the carousel from the North Pavilion to capture light patterns through the window blinds. |
| Edgewater Park | ISO 400 / f/4 / 1/200 s | Use the web for silhouettes; keep the exposure time short to obtain clear contours. |
| Fairview Park | ISO 800 / f/2 / 8 s | Enter the illuminated water tower during the Blue Hour; use a tripod for the counterlight. |
| Shadyside Memorial Park | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | Position behind the monument to use the light through the canopy. |
A short trip to Indianapolis is worthwhile if you are looking for city flair. The skyline at the Canal Walk looks almost industrial, but the colorful graffiti at the bridges give the whole a rough touch.
Only half an hour is Carmel. There is the “Art Walk”, a bit like an open museum. The sculptures are not always perfectly placed, but that makes them interesting for unusual picture compositions.
If you'd rather find something more rural, go to Zionsville. The cobblestone streets look almost like a film, and the old half-timbered houses offer nice contrasts to the modern cars that pass.
A detour to Bloomington brings you the university and the surrounding greenery. The campus is a mix of old brick buildings and modern glass facades – good for light games in the late afternoon.
Westfield has a large shopping center, but the surroundings are surprisingly quiet. The old barns at the edge of the park look somewhat neglected, which can provide melancholic recordings.
For fans of industrial aesthetics, Fort Wayne is worth a look. The old factory buildings on St. Joe River are not always clean, but this gives the photos a certain charm.
A short trip to Danville leads you to a small but fine old town. The shop windows are sometimes overloaded, but this gives you the opportunity to experiment with reflections.
If you want more nature, look at the Eagle Creek State Park. The lake sometimes reflects the light almost too strongly, but you can use it to emphasize silhouettes.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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