New Whiteland is located in the heart of Indiana and at first glance looks like a typical suburban town. Nevertheless, there are some hidden corners that are particularly attractive for photography lovers. I like the city because it is surprisingly quiet and the light over the parks often falls exceptionally soft. Here you can easily shoot a picture that says more than a short Instagram post.
I plan to catch the picture when the light just touches the city. Civil Twilight provides the first city lights – perfect for silhouettes. For warm, soft light I set the search term Golden Hour in my planning app. The Sunset over the few buildings there are dramatic colors that fit well into the sky. Blue Hour is ideal for long term exposures when the city is immersed in a cool blue. The map tool of poi‐travel.de, embedded under this text, shows the position of the sun and indicates the azimuth (horizontal angle) as a line – a real helper if you want to determine the direction exactly.
The swimming pool is the most striking building in the city and attracts many visitors especially at sunset. The reflective water creates exciting reflections while modern architecture offers clear lines. For a picture with a lively blue noise, I recommend coming shortly after sunset when the light comes from the floodlights. Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (summer), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (winter). Admission is free for residents, visitors pay $5. Insider tip: The small fountain basin at the entrance catches the light particularly well when you take pictures from the west side.
The East Park is the greenest piece of town and offers a small lake that looks almost like a mirror at the blue hour. The old oaks on the edge cast long shadows that look particularly dramatic in counterlight. Early in the morning, shortly after the civil twilight, the light can be broken through the foliage – a great motif for silhouettes. Opening hours: daily 6 am to 2 pm, free admission. Tip: The wooden ridge at the north end of the lake is a popular spot, but rarely overflow when you are there at 5 in the afternoon.
West Park is smaller, but equipped with a historic water tower that shapes the cityscape. The tower is particularly warm during the golden hour, because the light is reddening the brick facade. The park also has a small amphitheater, which is well lit at night – ideal for long-term exposures. Opening hours: 7 am to 9 pm, free admission. Insider: The path behind the tower offers a clear view to the south, where you can catch the Indianapolis skyline in the background.
Tot Park is a family-friendly playground, but the colourful play equipment forms a colorful pattern that almost surreal at the blue hour. The combination of bright colors and the dark sky creates a strong contrast play. The park is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, free admission. Tip: If you set the playground-motto logo in the foreground and leave the sky in the background, a picture is created that looks both childish and artistic.
Clearbrook is known for its long, straight paths and the small bridge feature over a brook. The bridge is a classic photo pot, especially at the golden hour when the light dips the wooden planks into warm gold. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., free admission. Practical note: The parking lot is directly on the west side, so you can easily drive on and out by car without disturbing the photo pot.
A rather quiet place with many jaws, which shimmer silvery in counterlight. At the blue hour an almost mystical fog is created because the jaws scatter the light. The park is accessible 24 hours a day, free admission. Tip: A short walk to the small viewpoint on the eastern edge gives a wide view over the surrounding area – perfect for panoramic views.
Freedom Park houses a monument for veterans and an open field that radiates a wide, warm light at sunset. The monument is made of dark granite, which almost shines in counterlight. Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., free admission. Insider: If you photograph the monument from the south side, the light captures the contours particularly well, while the field in the foreground provides a soft texture.
New Whiteland is not a metropolis hotspot, but this makes it a relaxed photo travel destination. The parks offer varied light moods, the Aquatic Center delivers modern reflections, and the map tool helps to plan the perfect moment. If you spend a few days here, you can capture both city and nature landscapes in high quality – almost without crowds.
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 New Whiteland, 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 New Whiteland |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; long shade, golden tones. | Freedom Springs Aquatic Center, West Park, Clearbrook Park, Freedom Park |
| Sunset | Dramatic colors, intense red/orange light, reflections in the water. | Freedom Springs Aquatic Center, Freedom Park |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, soft diffuse light, ideal for silhouettes. | East Park |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue, long exposure times, city lights and sky merge. | East Park, Tot Park, Southern Pines Park, West Park (Amphitheater) |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Springs Aquatic Center | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/250 s | Use the reflective water for reflections; photograph from Westrand for the best light. |
| East Park | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/60 s | Position yourself at the wooden bridge in the north end; keep the camera stable for silhouettes at Civil Twilight. |
| West Park | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Start the historic water tower in counterlight; use the path behind the tower for the Skyline view. |
| Tot Park | ISO 1600 / f/2.8 / 15 s | put the colorful playground logo in the foreground; use a tripod for long-term exposure. |
| Clearbrook Park | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/125 s | Photograph the wooden bridge with golden light; watch the golden shimmer on the planks. |
| Southern Pines Park | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 20 s | Use the counterlight of the jaws for silvery shimmering silhouettes; light fog enhances mood. |
| Freedom Park | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/200 s | photograph the monument from the south side at sunset; the field in the foreground provides soft texture. |
However, the small Carmel is not only a suburb, but a collection of modern sculptures and wide avenues, which almost already develop an own life in counterlight. The “Carmel Arts & Design District” offers graffiti hands that are well suited for contrasting portraits.
A short trip to Zionsville leads you to a village that looks like a different time. The cobblestone roads and the old half-timbered houses give you the opportunity to take quiet, almost nostalgic pictures, especially when the light falls through the trees.
Fishers has a small but fine river skating through the city park. There you can catch reflections of trees – the water is sometimes sluggish, sometimes shimmering, depending on the weather.
Westfield is known for its extensive field, which in summer forms a sea of high grasses. If you have a little patience, you can hold the play of light and shadow in the ears.
The town of Noblesville is located on the White River and offers an old railway depot that today serves as a warehouse for works of art. The combination of rusty metal structures and modern installations is an interesting contrast for street photography.
A detour to Columbus is worthwhile if you like architecture. There are several buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright, which are not overrun, but provide enough details to photograph them from unusual angles.
If you prefer nature, the Brown County State Park is a short trip away. The hilly landscape, the dense forests and the ancient oaks offer an almost cinematic scenery, especially in autumn when the leaves show a warm range.
For a little urban flair you can visit the Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis. The street is spiced with colorful Murals, small cafes and a lively street art scene that is well suited for spontaneous recordings.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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