Brooklyn lies in the middle of the rural Indiana and at first glance looks like a sleepy little town. Nevertheless, there are surprisingly many photo opportunities here, from quiet forest roads to charming street scenes. I like the mix of open nature and small historical details – that gives every image its own character. For hobby photographers, the city is a quiet starting point to explore light and mood without the stress of a city.
I plan to shoot the image that captures the moment when the light kisses the silhouettes of the old brick building. I use the four classic light phases:
On this page of poi‐travel.de is a map tool that calculates the position of the sun and indicates the direction as a line. The azimuth value (horizontal angle) helps to determine the exact angle of view for each phase.
The Preserve is about 15 km south of Brooklyn and is managed by Indiana University. It includes 140 hectares of forest, meadows and a small brook. The trails are well marked, the main area is freely accessible daily from 8 am to sunset – entrance is free. For photos, the early morning is especially worthwhile when the light breaks through the canopy, and the late golden hour when the water reflects in the brook. Insider tip: The viewpoint on the “North Trail” offers a wide view over the valley, ideal for panoramic views.
Camp Victor is a historical recreation area operated by the city of Brooklyn. There is a small lakeside, a rustic warehouse and several hiking trails. Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 22 p.m., entry costs 2 USD per vehicle. The warehouse with its faded wooden facade is a popular motif at sunset because the light emphasizes the texture. Practical note: Park at the southern end to use the evening sun directly behind the lake – this creates beautiful silhouettes.
Camp Mallory is located northeast of Brooklyn and is a popular spot for local families. There is a small playground, an open field and a short forest path. Access is free, the area is open from 6 am to 8 pm. The best photos are taken during the Blue Hour when the field is illuminated by the first lights of the houses. Insider tip: The old wooden ridge over the small pond reflects the light particularly well when you use a tripod with long-term exposure.
Bradford Woods is a 200 hectare nature reserve managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. There are several roundabouts, an observation tower and a small visitor centre. Opening hours: daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission, parking fee (1 USD per hour). The tower offers a 360-degree view, ideal for sunrise and dusk events. Practical note: Use the early hours of the morning when fog is above the forests – this creates mystical moods.
The heart of Brooklyn is the small main road with well preserved brick buildings from the 19th century. Century. There is a historic town hall, an old cinema and several cafés with outdoor seating. The road is illuminated around the clock, entrance is free. For photography, the golden hour is particularly attractive because the warm light emphasizes the facades and casts long shadows. Insider tip: The old telephone booth at the corner of the Main and Oak Street is a perfect foreground for portrait recordings.
The library is a small but charming red brick building renovated in 2023. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–17 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–14 p.m., Sunday closed. Free admission. The large window on the west side starts the evening light, so you can make indoor recordings with natural lighting. Practical note: The staircase in the entrance area offers an interesting pattern for black-and-white photos, especially during the Blue Hour when the light radiates from the outside.
Brooklyn combines quiet natural areas with a small but characterful city centre. This makes it an ideal destination for photographers who want to practice landscape and street photography without crowded locations. With the right light phases and the map tool, almost every moment can be captured perfectly.
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 Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light, emphasizes details and creates long shadows. | Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve; Brooklyn Historic Downtown |
| Sunset | Intensive orange to purple tones, silhouettes of structures. | Camp Victor |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, light blueprint in the background. | Brooklyn Historic Downtown |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue tones, ideal for long-term exposures. | Camp Mallory; Brooklyn Public Library |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the North Trail view point; use a polarization filter to calm the water. |
| Camp Victor | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/250 s | park south to catch the evening sun behind the lake; silhouettes of the warehouse emphasize. |
| Camp Mallory | ISO 800 / f/4 / 5 s (Stativ) | Use the tripod on the wooden web; use long-term exposure for smooth water reflections. |
| Bradford Woods Nature Reserve | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/60 s | photographing on the observation tower in the morning; Fog strengthens the mood. |
| Brooklyn Historic Downtown | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 1/200 s | Use the phone booth as the foreground; look at long shadows of the facades. |
| Brooklyn Public Library | ISO 400 / f/2.8 / 1/30 s (Stativ) | Photographers the west windows during the Blue Hour; the stairs provide patterns for black and white. |
However, the small town itself is not the target if you are looking for new angles. A short trip to Bloomington brings you the Uni-Campus architecture and the sweeping green of the Hoosier landscape. The old brick buildings almost look like scenery, and the light in the late afternoon throws long shadows over the paths.
Then there is the town of Columbus, which looks a bit like an open museum. Modern sculptures in the middle of the city centre offer unusual perspectives. One can experiment there with a wide angle until the shapes almost float.
A detour to Madison on the Ohio River is worthwhile if you like riverscapes. The bridge there has an interesting grid pattern, which in counterlight almost looks like a pattern of light and shadow. The old port area is somewhat neglected, but this gives you room for quiet shots.
If you're looking for something historical, try French Lick. The old resorts and the falling casino give you a little retro feeling. The neon lights in the dusk are not exaggerated, rather a quiet indication of past times.
A short drive to Indianapolis brings you urban scenes, but not the typical skyline shots. The city has a few abandoned industrial areas where graffiti and rusty metal structures come together. There the light sometimes seems too bright, but you can use it for contrasts.
In short, Brooklyn's surroundings are a patchwork of small towns, each of which has its own visual character. You don't need much time to get from one place to another, and every spot has something that makes your image collection more interesting.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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