Arlington is a small town in the heart of Indiana, which with its quiet street and open fields provides surprisingly much picture material. I like the city because it doesn't turn too much about visitors – this gives you room to uninterruptedly compose. The mix of historical architecture and wide areas of land is a dream for hobby and professional photographers. Next time you're on the go, it's worth investing here a few hours.
The day begins with the Civil Twilight when the first lights of the city lights slightly – ideal for silhouettes of the old barns. Then comes the Golden Hour; just search for “Golden Hour Arlington Indiana” in the map tool of poi‐travel.de to plan the soft, warm light. The sunset over the few buildings gives you dramatic colors that you should not miss. Shortly afterwards, the Blue Hour follows, perfect for long-term exposures of empty roads and the light blue of the sky. The mentioned map tool not only shows you the position of the sun, but also the azimuth, i.e. the horizontal angle, so that you can align your camera exactly.
The town hall is a classic example of early 20. ‐century design with a red brick facade and a small bell tower. The play of light and shadow on the windows makes it an interesting motive, especially during the Blue Hour.
The park is located on the outskirts of the city and has a small lake, a historical monument and extensive meadows. The open water reflects the light of the Golden Hour, which leads to gentle reflections.
The church of red brick with a high bell tower is a striking landmark. The window front captures the light of the Civil Twilight and creates a gentle lighting.
This small work bridge over the nearby creek is a hidden gem. The wooden stand and the clear water create a natural pattern that particularly impresses with counterlight.
The cemetery is located just outside the center and offers old gravestones, monuments covered by moss and long, straight paths. The quiet atmosphere is ideal for monochrome recordings during the Blue Hour.
Arlington may be small, but the combination of historical building material, open fields and quiet water areas provides a variety of photo motifs. With the poi‐travel.de map tool, you can exactly plan the light and get the best out of every hour. Pack your camera, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and come back with a few strong pictures.
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 Arlington, 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 Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light with long shade – ideal for reflections and counterlight. | Arlington Community Park, Offutt’s Bridge Road |
| Sunset | Intense colors, dramatic sky, fast changing light. | Arlington Town Hall, Arlington Cemetery |
| Civil Twilight | Twilight before dawn, gentle blue, silhouettes. | Arlington Methodist Church |
| Blue Hour | Cool, deep blue, long exposure times for city lights. | Arlington Town Hall, Arlington Cemetery, Arlington Community Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Town Hall | ISO 200 / f/5.6 / 2‐4 s (Stativ) | Use the counterlight of the street lights to dramatically emphasize the brick facade. |
| Arlington Community Park | ISO 100 / f/8 / 1/60 s (Golden Hour) – ISO 400 / f/4 / 15‐30 s (Blue Hour) | Position yourself on the wooden web for reflections in the water; use a pole filter for color saturation. |
| Arlington Methodist Church | ISO 200 / f/4 / 1/125 s (Civil Twilight) | Catch the light of the glass windows by focusing slightly backwards. |
| Offutt’s Bridge Road | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/250 s (Golden Hour) | Choose a low perspective to emphasize the pattern of the work before sunlight. |
| Arlington Cemetery | ISO 400 / f/2.8 / 5‐10 s (Blue Hour, tripod) | Use the lanterns as light sources and compose the old tombstones in the foreground for mood. |
Just a short jump down the street, and you're in Rushville. The old main road has this slightly weathered brick look, which fits well with black-and-white recordings. There are some abandoned barns that almost lead to their own lives.
Connersville is a bit further south. There is an old railway track that runs through an open field – perfect for long lines and sunset in the background. The city looks a bit industrial, but not overloaded.
A bit further east is Muncie. The Ball State Campus has a few modern buildings that are in contrast to the old brick houses in the suburbs. Especially the campus store is a quiet place for reflections when the water is still.
If you want some nature, go to Brown County State Park. The forests there are not always dense, sometimes there are clear lights where the light breaks through the trees – a dream for landscape photographers. The way to the Obersee is a bit bumpy, but the result is worth it.
Delphi, a small place on the Wabash River, has some old bridges that lead over the water. The bridges are not new, but the rusty metal has character. Especially in the case of fog, the image has almost been painted.
A short trip to Kokomo brings you some abandoned factory buildings. The rusty structures are not everyone's thing, but for someone who loves texture, the gold is worth it. The city sometimes looks a bit too busy, but the industrial facilities are often in a quiet counterlight.
For a little urban flair you can go to Indianapolis – not too far, but enough to gather some other vibes. The city centre has graffiti walls that are well suited for colored street shots. Sometimes it's too full there, but a short look into a side street can save the picture.
Finally a hint: The Hoosier National Forest is a little further south, but the paths there are not always well marked. If you wear, you will find remote lighting where the light falls through the canopy – almost like a natural spotlight. It's okay, a little adventurous, but the result can be really strong.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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