Spiceland is located in the middle of the rural Indiana, surrounded by fields and small wood roads. The city looks small, but the light moods here are surprisingly varied. I like Spiceland because the tranquility makes photography almost meditative and still gives enough interesting motives. Those who like to travel with the camera will find a favorite kitten here quickly.
I plan the picture around Civil Twilightwhen the first city lights flicker. The Golden Hour is my keyword for soft, warm light – especially above the historic town hall. The Sunset delivers dramatic silhouettes when the sun disappears behind the few higher buildings. For long term exposure, I use the Blue Hourwhen the sky becomes deep blue and lights act like stars. The map tool by poi‐travel.de, which is embedded under this text, shows exactly the position of the sun, the direction (azimut) and the time windows – a real helper for lighting planning.
A family-friendly campsite on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by forests and a small lake. The water reflects the evening red, ideal for long-term exposures during the Blue Hour. Opening hours: all year round, 24 hours access. Entrance: about $30 per parking space, reservation recommended. Best time: Sunset above the lake, especially in autumn. Insider tip: A short walk to the northern shore gives a clear view of the skyline that breaks in the water.
A well-preserved neighborhood with Victorian houses and cobblestones. The façades capture the warm light of the Golden Hour perfectly. Opening hours: at any time, no entrance fee. Best time: shortly after sunrise, when the light emphasizes the details of the bricks. Insider tip: The small square in front of the old town hall offers a natural frame line for portraits.
The red brick building is the most striking landmark of the city. At the Civil Twilight, the windows shine like small stars. Opening hours: Mo‐Fr 9 – 5 pm, indoor viewing only at events. Entrance: free, but a short view from the outside is enough for a strong motive. Insider tip: From the opposite road you photograph the city hall with the sky in the background – a classic picture.
A small park with a playground, a pond and many trees. The pond reflects the light of the Blue Hour particularly well. Opening hours: daily 6 – 22 hrs. Entrance: free. Best time: shortly after sunset when the lights arrive in the park. Insider tip: The way along the Ograder leads to a small bridge that serves as a natural foreground.
A modern building with large glass fronts that lets the light of the Golden Hour inside. On the outside, the library is particularly photogenic due to the reflections. Opening hours: Mo‐Fr 9 – 5 pm, Sa 10 – 2 pm. Entrance: free. Best time: late afternoon sun when the glass is dipped in gold. Insider tip: The small café behind the library has a terrace overlooking the street – perfect for street photography.
A historic church building with a high tower that offers a strong silhouette motif in the sunset. The brick facade takes up the warm light well. Opening hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 – 12 o'clock for visitors, otherwise closed. Entrance: free. Best time: just before sunset, when the tower stands in counterlight. Insider tip: The small cemetery behind the church provides quiet, thoughtful recordings, especially with light fog.
Spiceland is not a metropolis chaao, but a place where light and history come together. For photographers there are plenty of varied motifs, from quiet lakes to historic façades. With the map tool, each light phase can be exactly planned so that the perfect image is close to grasping. A short stay is enough to discover the best photo standpoints while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
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 Spiceland, 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 Spiceland |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Soft, warm light – ideal for details and colours. | Spiceland Historic District, Spiceland Town Hall, Spiceland Public Library |
| Sunset | Dramatic silhouettes and long shadows. | Spiceland United Methodist Church, Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground |
| Civil Twilight | First city lights, sky still lighted. | Spiceland Town Hall |
| Blue Hour | Deep blue sky, lights look like stars – perfect for long-term exposures. | Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground, Spiceland Community Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Retreat Family Campground | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 10 s | Use a tripod and an ND filter to render the water silky during the Blue Hour. |
| Spiceland Historic District | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Position yourself in such a way that the headstone plaster is in the foreground – the warm light highlights the texture. |
| Spiceland Town Hall | ISO 800 / f/4 / 1/60 s | Catch the bright windows during the Civil Twilight; a light brightening in the RAW workflow ensures star effect. |
| Spiceland Community Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 15 s | Place the camera on the bridge at the Ostufer and use the reflector of the pond for a smooth blue-hour image. |
| Spiceland Public Library | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/250 s | Photographers the glass fronts in the counterlight of the Golden Hour – the golden light creates an elegant bokeh. |
| Spiceland United Methodist Church | ISO 200 / f/4 / 1/200 s | Use the silhouette of the tower just before sunset; a light counterlight emphasizes the brick structure. |
However, Indianapolis is not only the capital, but also a collection of graffiti walls, old factory buildings and wide boulevards – perfect for city and architecture photography.
The small town of Lebanon offers a historic main street, where old wooden shops are located next to modern cafés; the light in the late afternoon throws long shadows over the headstone pavement.
Greenfield has a small but fine river run that cuts through the city centre; the water reflects the old bridges and offers reflections that you do not find every day.
New Castle, a little further east, has an industrial area ranging from rusty silos to abandoned warehouses – a paradise for fans of urban decay.
Anderson's city centre sometimes has an overrun, but the combination of brick buildings and modern glass facades creates interesting contrasts, especially in counterlight.
A short trip to Noblesville leads to a river bank with old mill groups; the water glitters while the mills in the background almost already paint a picture from another time.
Columbus is famous for its modern architecture, but the small alleys with cobblestones and the old railroad tracks give the whole a rough touch that you like to hold.
For nature lovers, the White River State Park in Indianapolis is a good destination: wide meadows, trees that gleam in the wind, and a few abandoned boats that lie on the shore.
A detour to Muncie brings the old college campus building with its brick façades and the surrounding trees – the light in spring leaves the whole almost fairytale.
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