Meridian Hills is located in the north of Indianapolis and at first glance looks like a quiet suburban quarter. Nevertheless, there are surprisingly many photo possibilities here, from forest paths to modern high-rise buildings. I like the city because it balances the city and natural light well – ideal for hobby and professional photographers. If you like to play with light, you'll find it quick.
I plan to snap the picture that captures both the skyline and the green of the parks. The Civil Twilight provides the first city lights when the light is still weak – perfect for silhouettes. For warm, soft light I set the search term Golden Hour in my lighting planning app. The Sunset over the high houses gives dramatic colors, while the Blue Hour is ideal for long-term exposures with the illuminated facades. On this page you will find the map tool of poi‐travel.de, which calculates the position of the sun and displays the direction (azimut) as a line – a real helper if you are looking for the perfect angle.
The Marott Park is a mix of forest, meadows and small streams. Especially photogenic is the old wooden bridge that leads over the creek – it almost seems mystical in the morning fog. In autumn, the trees turn into a rich red, which stands well against the clear blue of the sky. The park is open all year round, opening hours are not available, but the best lighting conditions can be found shortly after sunrise or during the Blue Hour when the water is slightly shimmering.
A small but surprisingly interesting place. The park is located right next to the former Blind School and offers a range of modern sculptures that almost shine in opposite light. Especially the metal ball reflected by the sun is a highlight for detail shots. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission. The golden hour in the evening makes the metal surfaces warm – a must for macro fans.
The trail leads through hilly terrain and offers several views over the Indianapolis skyline. The highest point, called “The Overlook”, gives a wide view of the Empire Towers, which are immersed in warm gold at sunset. The park is open from May to October, free entry. Early in the morning, the trail is still less visited, ideal for quiet scenery.
An architectural curiosity that looks like it came from a comic. The twisted façade reflects the light at unusual angles, which in particular casts exciting shadows at the Blue Hour. The house is a private property, but the road ahead is public and allows photographing from outside. There are no opening hours, but the light is best between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The striking high-rise buildings form the cityscape of Meridian Hills. They are particularly impressive at sunset when the glass facades reflect the orange-red light. In the Blue Hour they turn into bright silhouettes, ideal for long-term exposures. Access to the public square in front of the towers is possible 24 hours, free admission. A tripod and an ND filter are recommended for the best result.
A small, quiet garden with a central sculpture of stone. The surroundings are surrounded by trees that give a warm light in autumn. The place is particularly suitable for portraits because the light is gently filtered through the canopy. Opening hours: daily from 7 am to 9 pm, free admission. The golden hour in the morning provides a soft, flattering light.
The Monon Trail stretches through the Driftwood Hills district and offers numerous photo opportunities, from old railroad tracks to modern residential buildings. Especially charming is the bridge over the small stream, which is immersed in warm light at sunset. The trail is open all year round, free entry. Early in the morning, it is almost empty, perfect for quiet scenery.
Meridian Hills combines urban skyline moments with natural parks so you can use almost every hour of light for a strong picture. The variety of locations makes the place a small but fine photo travel destination that can easily be integrated into a weekend excursion. Pack your camera, use the map tool for the position of the sun and enjoy the mix of calm and urban flair.
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 Meridian Hills, 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 Meridian Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; ideal for colors and textures. | Blind School Micro Park, Restful Place |
| Sunset | Dramatic, colour-intensive light; long shade, warm tones. | Blickman Trail Park, Empire Towers, Monon Trail – Driftwood Hills |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight after sunset, first city lights, good silhouettes. | Empire Towers |
| Blue Hour | Cool, deep blue light shortly after sunset; ideal for long term exposures. | Marott Park and Nature Preserve, Twisted House, Empire Towers |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Marott Park and Nature Preserve | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/60 s | Use a tripod for long-term exposures during the Blue Hour to capture the shimmering water. |
| Blind School Micro Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | positioning the metal ball in counterlight to highlight reflections; a small reflector can further soften the light. |
| Blickman Trail Park – The Overlook | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/30 s | Use a wide angle lens and a light ND filter to dramatically expose the sky. |
| Twisted House | ISO 200 / f/4 / 1/80 s | Use a wide angle lens and photograph from the opposite corner for the complete Twist pattern. |
| Empire Towers | ISO 100 / f/16 / 1/4 s | Use a tripod and ND filter for long-term exposure in the Blue Hour; watch the mirror image in the fountain. |
| Restful Place | ISO 200 / f/2.8 / 1/250 s | Set the aperture open for a beautiful bokeh behind the stone sculpture during the morning golden hour. |
| Monon Trail – Driftwood Hills Bridge | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Shoot the bridge at sunset from the side path for warm light and colored foliage frame. |
However, what lies right next to Meridian Hills is not always the most obvious. In Carmel, for example, there is a small neighborhood with many modern sculptures that almost float in the morning light. The streets are wide, but the shades of the trees give a nice contrast play.
A short detour to Zionsville feels like a step back into a painting. The headstone pavement roads, the old lanterns and the small shops create an image that you would like to hold in black and white. Sometimes the whole thing looks a bit too touristy, but the light in the late afternoon does it again.
Fishers has a huge park lying on a river. There you can catch the reflections in the water, especially when a light fog passes over it. The paths are not overrun, so you have time to compose the scene.
If you drive a little further, you come to Noblesville. There is an old railway depot that now serves as an art gallery. The brick walls and the large windows provide interesting frames for portraits or city recordings.
Colonial style meets modernity in Columbus. The city is famous for its Art Deco building, which looks almost like huge photo motifs. You can use the clear lines and geometric shapes to create a little retro feeling.
A detour to Bloomington is worthwhile if you like campus architecture. The old brick buildings, the green area and the occasional student life offer a lively but not too hectic scenery.
For nature lovers, the Brown County State Park is worth a short trip. The hills, the forests and the wide fields give a completely different light than the urban areas. Especially in autumn, when the foliage turns, strong colors are created.
A little further east is New Castle. There is an old factory site now covered by Street Art. The combination of rusty metal and colourful graffitis is an interesting contrast you don't see every day.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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