Shirley is a small town in the heart of Indiana that surprises with wide avenues and charming brick buildings. For hobby photographers there is surprisingly much to discover here – from quiet park landscapes to historical façades. I like Shirley because the atmosphere is relaxed and you can hardly find overrun places. In addition, the light can be captured particularly well here.
I plan to shoot the best photo of the city by using the different light phases. During the Civil Twilight the first city lights appear and create a gentle blue that is well suited for city panoramas. The Golden Hour provides warm, diffuse light – a must for photos of facades and the City Park. Shortly after sunset, when the skyline lies above the skyscrapers in orange-red splendour, a dramatic Sunset- Effect. The Blue Hour is ideal for long-term exposures at the river bank where the water reflects the cool light. The map tool of poi‐travel.de, which is embedded under this text, shows the position of the sun and indicates the azimuth (horizontal angle) – practical to plan the optimal orientation.
The City Park is centrally located and offers a small lake, old oaks and a historical carousel. The open green is perfect for wide-angle recordings, especially during the Golden Hourwhen the light falls through the leaves. Opening hours: daily from 6 am to 22 pm, free admission. The carousel can be photographed in the early evening – a real eye-catcher. Insider tip: On the west side of the lake there is a hidden wooden bench from which you can catch the sunset over the lake.
The museum is located in a restored brick building from the early 20th century. Century. The facade with its original wooden windows offers great frames for city recordings. Inside there is a small exhibition on local history, which is also photogenic. Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-17, Saturday 10-16, Monday and Sunday closed; Admission 5 USD. For outdoor shooting, the time after sunset is recommended when the building is surrounded by warm light. Insider tip: In the courtyard there is an old lantern that creates a beautiful light play at dusk.
Along the main street there are several murals that connect local legends and modern art. The colours shine particularly well during the Blue Hour** if the artificial light intensifies the colors. The Murals are accessible around the clock, free admission. For the best picture, a short stop is recommended at the largest wall that shows a huge bison – a symbol of the region. Insider tip: Use the mirroring in the shop windows of the adjacent cafes to stage the artwork twice.
The trail follows the small river that flows through Shirley. It offers numerous bridges and viewpoints that are ideal for long-term exposures. Especially the old stone bridge in the south of the trail is a popular photo pot. Opening hours: 24 hours, free admission. During the Blue Hour the water reflects the cool light and creates an almost surreal picture. Insider tip: Early in the morning, when the fog is above the river, mystical recordings arise – a short walk is worth it.
The historic Schmiedeeisen Mill Bridge is a landmark of Shirley. It spreads over the river and offers a dramatic setting for city and landscape photography. Opening hours: at any time, free admission. The best time for a picture is the Golden Hour** if the light makes the metal structure golden shimmer. For night recordings Blue Hour** to show the illuminated bridge in front of the dark sky. Insider tip: On the left side of the bridge there is a small bridge, from which you have the water and the bridge in the picture.
The small theatre in the centre of the city has an artistically designed facade with neon lights. Inside there is a cozy atrium, which is particularly photogenic at dusk. Opening hours: performance times vary, Atrium daily 9–20 a.m., free admission. For outdoor shooting, the time is recommended shortly after sunset when the neon lights begin to shine. Insider tip: In the back garden there is an old oak that provides a beautiful silhouette image in counterlight.
Shirley combines small city idyll with surprisingly many photo possibilities. Whether you want to catch the gentle dawn in the City Park or the neon illuminated skyline at night, here you will find matching spots. The relaxed atmosphere makes photographing almost effortless, and thanks to the map tool you can exactly plan the light. A short trip to Shirley is worthwhile for anyone looking for authentic, little overrun photo locations.
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 Shirley, 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 Shirley |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, diffuse light, ideal for facades and landscapes. | City Park, Old Mill Bridge |
| Sunset | Dramatic orange-red sky, long shadows. | City Park, Shirley Historical Museum, Shirley Community Theater |
| Civil Twilight | Gentle blue, first city lights, good for city panoramas. | Shirley Historical Museum, Shirley Community Theater, Main Street Murals |
| Blue Hour | Cool light, ideal for long-term exposures and bright colors. | Main Street Murals, Riverside Trail, Old Mill Bridge |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| City Park | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/250 s | Use the West Bank Bank for sunset over the lake; easy lightening in reworking emphasizes the Laub. |
| Shirley Historical Museum | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/125 s | photographer the courtyard at dawn; the warm light of the lantern ensures beautiful silhouettes. |
| Main Street Murals | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/60 s (Stativ recommended) | Use the mirrors in the shop windows to double the colors; a light brightening of the Bison motif is powerful. |
| Riverside Trail | ISO 200 / f/11 / 30 s | Place the old stone bridge in the image center; use an ND filter for soft water movements. |
| Old Mill Bridge | ISO 100 / f/9 / 1/200 s (Golden Hour) / 1/8 s (Blue Hour, Tripod) | For Golden Hour the metal dip into warm light; for Blue Hour a tripod and long-term exposure for light tracks. |
| Shirley Community Theater | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/100 s | Catch the neon lights after sunset; a light counterlight effect behind the old oak produces silhouettes. |
Columbus is not far away and is a real magnet for architectural photographers. The modern buildings almost look like sculptures in the cityscape, and the light plays with the clear lines. Sometimes there is something too touristy, but early in the morning there is a quiet angle that hardly anyone sees.
However, Bloomington has more to offer than just the university. The campus is surrounded by old trees that provide a great colour play in autumn. The nearby Lake Monroe provides reflections that are well suited for long term exposures. The place is quite relaxed, ideal for relaxed recordings.
Nevertheless, a trip to Madison on the Ohio River is worth it. The historic brick houses give a rough, almost weathered feeling. The river offers dramatic sunsets, and the bridge there is a popular motif when the light falls right.
In short, French Lick is not only known for its casinos, but also for the cave landscape. The underground formations create interesting shadows that can be caught with a flashlight and a tripod. It's a bit off, but that makes the appeal.
Another tip: Brown County State Park. The hilly landscape looks almost like a painting, especially in autumn, when the leaves shine in red and yellow tones. The paths are sometimes overrun, but a short walk away from the main paths leads to silent lights.
If you like urban flair, try Indianapolis. The skyline offers contrasts between glass and brick, and the city centre has many graffiti walls that are well suited for street photography. It's okay, but sometimes it looks a little too commercial.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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