Woodlawn Heights is located on the banks of the Ohio River and combines small city idyll with surprisingly many architectural details. For hobby photographers, there are narrow alleys, open green areas and a few striking silhouettes, which work properly in different lights. I like the city because it is not overrun and you can almost always find a free space for the perfect picture detail. There is also a handy map tool by poi‐travel.de, which accurately displays the position of the sun – a real profit for lighting planning.
To crack the ultimate image, I plan my recordings around four light phases:
The map tool on poi‐travel.de not only shows the course of the sun, but also outputs azimuth values (horizontal angle) so that I can exactly plan the direction of the sun.
The central square is the heart of the city and houses the historic town hall, a few old lanterns and the well-known “Walking Man” – a sculpture that repeatedly creates interesting lines. Especially for the Golden Hour, the town hall casts long shadows that emphasize the stone pavement. Opening hours: open 24 hours, no entrance. Best photo time: shortly after sunrise, when the light falls from the east onto the facades. Insider tip: From the opposite bank you have a clear view of the skyline that is reflected in the water.
The park is located on the river bank and offers wide green areas, a small lake and old oaks, which in autumn provide a warm color play. The view over the Ohio River is spectacular at sunset because the water reflects the light. Free admission, opening hours from 6 am to 22 pm. For long-term exposures during the Blue Hour, the wooden ridge pavilion is recommended, where you can catch the light of the city lights and the river at the same time. Insider proof: A hidden path leads to a small bridge that is perfect for silhouettes.
Riley Park is smaller but very charming: a historical carousel, a fountain and an old railway wagon serving as a café. At the Golden Hour, the carousel-arrow casts a warm, almost magical light on the surrounding benches. The park is open daily from 7 am to 8 pm, free admission. For an unusual night photo, the carousel is recommended in the dark, illuminated by the surrounding lanterns – a short stay is enough to compose the picture. Insider tip: The café serves a “Sunset Latte” that can be included in the picture.
The museum is located in a former factory building that now shines with modern glass facade. The combination of brick and glass creates fascinating reflections at the Blue Hour. Entrance: 8 €, opening hours Tuesday–Sunday 10–17. The atrium is ideal for indoor shots with natural light falling through the glass. For outdoor shots, the south side is recommended, where the light of the sunset emphasizes the structure. Insider proof: In the cellar there is a small sculpture gallery, which, with weak light, almost looks like a secret hiding place.
The historic cinema from the 1920s impresses with its neon complaints and the artistic facade. During the Blue Hour, the neon lights shine particularly strongly and create a lively color play. Entrance free, the building is accessible from the outside around the clock. Best time for recordings: about 20 o'clock when the city lights begin to sparkle. Insider tip: From the opposite alley you have a clear view of the entire front, without crowds in the picture.
The park is located on the outer edge of the city and offers a wide view over the river to the hills in the background. The open sky makes him the perfect place for star photography after the Blue Hour. Opening hours: 5 am to 23 pm, free admission. For sunset photos, the wooden bench at the western end is recommended, where the light dips the water surface in gold. Insider proof: A small wooden ridge at the edge of the lake provides a reflection that makes the picture even more interesting.
The modern sculpture “The Flame” stands in the centre of the city park and consists of stainless steel that reflects the light. At the Golden Hour, the sculpture casts long, sharp shadows that emphasize the surrounding grass. Access is free, the opening hours correspond to the park (6–22). For night shots during the Blue Hour you can illuminate the artwork with a flashlight to create a dramatic light shadow game. Insider tip: A small hill behind the sculpture offers an elevated angle of view that embeds the entire work into the surroundings.
Woodlawn Heights combines quiet green spaces, historical buildings and a few surprising light islands that make the photographer a real adventure. Whether you want to capture the first city lights, enjoy the golden evening sun or shoot long exposures in the Blue Hour – the city provides the right scenery. And the poi‐travel.de map tool will help you plan the course of the sun exactly, so that you never fall in the dark.
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 Woodlawn Heights, 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 Woodlawn Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light, long shade, colors glow. | Public Square, Riley Park, The Flame |
| Sunset | Dramatic silhouettes, intense red/orange light. | Madison Park, Edgewater Park |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle blue, city lights begin to shine. | Public Square, Anderson Museum of Art, Paramount Theatre |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, ideal for long-term exposures and reflections. | Anderson Museum of Art, Paramount Theatre, Edgewater Park, Madison Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Public Square | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the Town Hall as the foreground, position yourself against the bank for reflections in the water. |
| Madison Park | ISO 400 / f/11 / 1/60 s | For Blue Hour Long-term exposure: Tripod, 10‐15 s, ND filter optional. |
| Riley Park | ISO 100 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Catch the carousel arrow light, keep the sun in the back for warm shadows. |
| Anderson Museum of Art | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/30 s | Use the glass facade for reflections; at Blue Hour a tripod for clear details. |
| Paramount Theatre | ISO 400 / f/2.8 / 1/60 s | Catch the neon lights, avoid light pollution by counterlight compensation. |
| Edgewater Park | ISO 1600 / f/2.8 / 20‐30 s | Tripod, remote trigger, starry sky to Blue Hour, focus on Infinite. |
| The Flame (Sculpture) | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | Set the sun in the back for long shadows; accentuate at Blue Hour with flashlight. |
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