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August 1, 2022

Understanding light is an essential skill when it comes to mastering your photography, and in this complete guide to outdoor light, professional photographer David Noton guides us through the importance of light in photography, as well as some of the best times to shoot. 

Welcome to the AP Improve Your Photography Series – in partnership with MPB – This series is designed to take you from the beginnings of photography, introduce different shooting skills and styles, and teach you how to grow as a photographer, so you can enjoy producing amazing photography (and video), to take you to the next level, whether that’s making money or simply mastering your art form.

Each week you’ll find a new article so make sure to come back to continue your journey, and have fun along the way, creating great images. If you’ve found these articles helpful, don’t forget to share them with people you know who may be interested in learning new photography skills. You’ll find a whole range of further articles in this series.

My college lecturer used to assert that a good photographer could make a lump of coal look appealing with the skilful use of lighting. I never felt the need to prove his point, but my subsequent decades behind the lens have convinced me he was right. Even the Grand Canyon can look uninspiring under the flat grey light of an overcast day, whilst a view of some flat Essex fields can be transformed into a breathtaking vision by evocative dawn light.

What is the importance of light in photography?

Light is our raw material; the building block that makes or breaks our pictures. In fact, lighting is so important to the finished image that I often feel I photograph the light more than the subject.

We photographers need to see the light, and I mean really see it, feel it and understand it in all its endless forms and subtleties. When contemplating a scene the first thing to do is consider where the light is coming from. And beyond seeing what is happening now we need to predict the light that will best illuminate the picture we have in mind at different times of the day and year.

Anticipating what could happen with the light in a few minutes, an hour, later the same day, the next morning, in a few months or next year is a fundamental photographic skill. It comes with experience and is the product of every photographic vigil, productive or otherwise. Standing by the tripod watching the light paint a landscape is never time wasted.

We have the obvious time options – daylight, dawn, dusk or night. Beyond those we have the directional aspect to consider; do we want the main light to come from the front, back, side or above the subject, or a combination? Then there’s the nature and colour quality of the light: high or low, hard or soft, warm or cool? In truth, most lighting situations in the natural world are a subtle fusion, and the permutations are endless.

Guide to outdoor light – Colour temperature

All light sources have a colour temperature, expressed in Kelvin. The light our planet receives from the sun is constant, but as the Earth rotates what we receive on the surface goes through radical daily transformations.

What are the different types of light called?

• Daylight
• Golden hour
• Twilight
• Blue hour
• Night

All have their appeal, but atmospheric conditions, the weather, our position on the globe and the time of year are all factors affecting the nature of the light painting the landscape. That’s why, after a lifetime behind the lens, I still feel I’m only beginning to appreciate the endless subtleties of natural light.

Take any photo group out at sunset or sunrise and most will be transfixed by the sun peeping over the horizon. It takes mental effort to turn away and observe the far more subtle lighting effects playing on the landscape and sky to the north or south, but that’s where the photographic gold dust lies.

Seeing it is one thing, predicting it is something else. Our ability to pre-visualise these lighting situations is what sets photographers apart. It’s a skill to be honed, so read on for details on how to shoot using various types of natural light.

Guide to outdoor light – Daylight

Chocolate Hills, Bohol, The Visayas, Philippines. Canon EOS 5D Mk II, 24-70mm, 1/40sec at f/5.6, ISO 100

At noon the overhead sunlight has had the shortest passage through the atmosphere so it is neutral in colour balance; what we term daylight, with a colour temperature of 5200K, give or take a few Kelvin. Generally speaking the hard vertical light of midday is the least favourable to work with.

Shadows are hard, contrast is high; time was I wouldn’t touch the camera after 10am and before 4pm. But ideas change and I’m confronting some of my more entrenched assumptions. Sometimes the skies in the middle of the day have billowing cumulonimbus and streaking cirrus clouds that beg to be captured.

Guide to outdoor light – The golden hour

Loch Maree and Slioch, Wester Ross, Scotland. Canon EOS 5DS R, 24-70mm, 1sec at f/11, ISO 100

The contrast between the warm highlights and the cool shadows enhances the scene with the complementary colours of orange and blue. The last golden light of a crystal-clear evening after a rain shower is perfect for revealing all the form, texture and scale of a landscape. How soft the light of the golden hour is depends on the clarity of the atmosphere. Light that is too soft can be too insipid for big views but perfect for details.

When is the golden hour in photography?

The golden hour is the “hour” just before sunset, or just after sunrise, known as the golden hour, or sometimes the “magic hour” and gives a warm glow to objects in your scene lit by this light. You can see it clearly on light buildings, where the orange contrasts beautifully with the blue sky. The length of time this lasts will change depending on the time of year, so may last less time than a full hour.

Guide to outdoor light – Night photography

The Milky Way and night sky over Lago Roca, Patagonia. Canon EOS -1D X, 14mm, 20 secs at f/4, ISO 12,800

The night sky is an enticing subject, and we have the ability to capture it in all its glory. Including a landscape in the scene as well as being in the right place at the right time takes planning, and a truly clear night is essential. The capability of modern DSLRs to work with minimal noise at high sensor speeds makes this possible.

Guide to outdoor light – Twilight

Malham Moor, Yorkshire Dales at dawn. Canon EOS-1Ds, TS-E 24mm, 5 secs at f/13, ISO 100

Minutes before the sun rises and after it sets, the light reaching Earth goes through some great transformations. Whilst direct rays are absent we are still bathed in twilight from the sun below the horizon. That twilight reaches us as the last rays of sunlight bounce off the bottom of clouds and down into the landscape, and as residual ambient light that the atmosphere has scattered. The two combine, which is why this time of day is so special and worth rising before the crack of dawn or lingering as dinner beckons to witness.

When is twilight in photography?

Twilight happens in the minutes before the sun rises, and the minutes after the sun sets, just after the golden hour. As the amount of light reduces, you’ll be able to see the colour of the scene change before your eyes.

Guide to outdoor light – The blue hour

Dawn, Loch Maree, Scotland. Canon EOS 5DS R, TS-E 24mm, 6secs at f/16, ISO 100

The residual ambient half-light that either brightens as dawn approaches or dims as dusk settles has had all of the warmth stripped from it after being bounced and scattered through the atmosphere. Its colour temperature is sky-high, well in excess of 10,000K, resulting in a very blue light, and virtually non-directional. This cool monochromatic twilight is a favourite for those hooked on seascapes with slow exposures of swirling water. It’s also the perfect light for night shots of illuminated landmarks, when the artificial lights of our towns and cities perfectly match the lingering tones of the twilight sky.

When is the blue hour in photography?

The blue “hour” is again, not necessarily a whole hour long, depending on the time of the year (and where you are located). It happens after sunset, and before sunrise, and covers the scene with a blue light. As there isn’t much light, it can stretch your camera’s low-light performance, but can give your images a beautiful look that’s different to the norm.

Guide to outdoor light – Direction of light

With such wide discrepancies dependent on our location when planning a shoot we need to know when the sun is due to come and go, and where in the sky it will rise and set. I have to admit I rely on experience, but it pays to be precise. Apps such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris and PhotoPills are handy, but I’m cautious of relying on them. We still need to ascertain which direction we want the light to be coming from to paint the landscape best – front, back, side or above.

Side lighting

Late-afternoon cross lighting reveals all of the detail and form in the landscape at Malham in the Yorkshire Dales. Canon EOS-1DS Mark III, 70-200mm, 1/6sec at f/11, ISO 100

Side lighting is my favoured default for landscape work. The low rays of a rising or setting sun slanting across a scene reveal every shape, texture and contour in the landscape. Shadows provide strong shapes and every detail from the poppies in the foreground to the distant mountains beyond is apparent.

Backlighting

Sun rising behind Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire. Canon EOS-1DS Mark II, 24-100mm, 1/100sec at f/11, ISO 100

Backlighting can often be the route to graphic impact. Shooting into the light is beset with problems – flare, exposure and contrast to name a few, but strong shapes backlit and silhouetted against a dramatic sky often have a bold simplicity that can be very powerful.

The big drawback though is any tantalising detail in the shadowy foreground will be lost. How much detail is sacrificed depends entirely on the contrast range between the rocky vegetation and the bright sky; softer light allows us to retain more foreground detail, whilst stronger more dramatic light renders silhouettes and foregrounds black.

We have strategies for tackling that immense contrast range; namely graduated filters or exposure merging, but there is a limit to what can be achieved without the loss of all credibility. In my book any such wizardry needs to be done with subtlety if believability is to be retained.

Front lighting

The exception to the rule: front lighting on Llyn Dinas at dawn, Snowdonia, Wales. Canon EOS 5DS R, 24-70mm, 1/125sec at f/8, ISO 200

Full frontal light from directly behind the photographer leaves little to the imagination; all is revealed with maximum stark illumination, usually with the photographer’s shadow thrown in, but the harsh flattening effect and lack of shadow/highlight contrast rarely shows a landscape or indeed any subject off to its best; it’s an unappealing light that I avoid like the plague.

Top lighting

Diffuse top lighting is perfect for shooting woodland and water. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-70mm, 1.6sec at f/16, ISO 100

When the clouds coalesce into an oppressive grey ceiling the low-contrast diffuse top lighting can be just the job for woodland and canyons. When the clouds close in there’s also the option of turning the camera on faces; it’s the perfect light for portraiture.

Guide to outdoor light – Light on my local patch

Durdle Door and St Oswald’s Bay, Jurassic Coast, Dorset. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 100-400mm, 13secs at f/32, ISO 100

Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is my home patch where I have the luxury of being able to choose precisely the best time of year to shoot a specific location. The east-west aspect of the coastline makes shooting most locations between the spring and autumn equinoxes unfeasible; the sun is rising and setting over the land to the north, which casts its shadow across the cliffs and beaches. In the short days of winter though, when the sun is rising to the southeast and setting in the southwest, tantalising side lighting bathes the white cliffs and coves. It’s a view I never tire of, and one that provides endless inspiration.

David Noton is recognised as a leading landscape and travel photographer. His passion for photography, travel and the world’s beautiful places are the defining influences that have shaped his life, work and his creative approach to photography. His images sell all over the world – both as fine-art photography and commercially in advertising and publishing. Visit davidnoton.com.

Tune in next week, for the next article in the series of the AP Improve Your Photography Series – in partnership with MPB.

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The Art of Japanese Gardens

Humans have always struggled to find ways of keeping in touch with nature as farming, industry, and modern cities have pushed away and fenced off the natural world around us.

Solutions to this problem have ranged from National Parks to municipal landscaping, but none have rivaled the harmony and perfect synthesis of the traditional Japanese garden. For a millennium and a half, these sculpted enclaves of nature have provided inspiration and relaxation, and today they are widely viewed by photographers, artists, architects, and more as one of the most beautiful and important expressions of art and design.

The History of Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens were first imported from China in the 6th century Asuka period, when Chinese gardening methods and design elements were fused with aspects of the local landscape. The high mountains, great forests, running streams, and deep valleys were all reproduced in miniature around the palaces of nobles, the only ones who could afford such stylistic expression at the time.

Chinese influence increased during the Heian Period (794-1185), when much of the Tang Dynasty governmental apparatus, writing system, and culture were imported to the Japanese islands. Zen Buddhism began to flourish during this period, and more complex ideas about organization, flow, and aesthetic were combined with philosophical doctrines to produce the first set of stylistic principles for garden design.

These ideas were further developed and cemented during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333), rendering these gardens more recognizable and popular. By the time of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), they were seeing wider adoption by the public in shared and private spaces. This resulted in a profusion of new styles and philosophies, and by the Edo Period (1603-1867), garden design had become a nationwide artform, engaged in by every level of society.

Since the 1800s, many Japanese households have transformed their traditional interior courtyards into smaller gardens. Because of the spatial constraints, miniaturization is often taken to the extreme, and looking out from the rooms of the house, one has the sense of gazing out over a vast wild landscape. This importation into the home has also allowed each individual or family to design their gardens according to their own aesthetic sensibilities. Today, new creative ideas and elements are emerging all the time alongside a continued respect for and preservation of the antique gardens still standing.

Beauty By Design | Essential Elements

The many different styles of Japanese garden each have their own sets of elements and features, but there is much overlap, and some parts which are shared by all.

Water

Water is a core aspect of Japanese gardens. Water can either be represented literally, by small streams, miniature waterfalls, small ponds, or placid lakes. Dry riverbeds are also relatively common, invoking the essence of a flowing river or paying homage to the islands’ dry season. In Zen rock gardens, sand and gravel represent water while not impinging on the spatial balance. Japanese gardens always have water, either a pond or stream, or, in the dry rock garden, represented by white sand. In Buddhist symbolism, water and stone are the yin and yang, two opposites that complement and complete each other. A traditional garden will usually have an irregular-shaped pond or, in larger gardens, two or more ponds connected by a channel or stream, and a cascade, a miniature version of Japan’s famous mountain waterfalls.

Trees/Shrubs

One of the most stunning aspects of Japanese gardens is their botanical variety. Twisted and moss covered trees are one of my personal favorite photographic subjects. Most gardens are populated by carefully manicured evergreens, their twisting forms calling to mind windswept coastlines or high mountain passes. Cherry trees spread their rosy blossoms over rolling meadows bounded by expertly carved shrubbery. Japanese maple trees have become synonymous with the natural harmony of these gardens, and their star-shaped leaves exchange their vibrant colors with the passing of each Autumn before falling silently to rest on the soil below. Emerald mosses are encouraged to mottle the grey stones of walkways and paths.

Rocks & Sand

Rock, sand and gravel are an essential feature of the Japanese garden. A vertical rock may represent Mount Horai, the legendary home of the Eight Immortals, or Mount Sumeru of Buddhist teaching, or a carp jumping from the water. A flat rock might represent the earth. Sand or gravel can represent a beach, or a flowing river. Rocks and water also symbolize yin and yang (in and yō in Japanese) in Buddhist philosophy; the hard rock and soft water complement each other, and water, though soft, can wear away rock.

In ancient Japan, sand (suna) and gravel (jari) were used around Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Later it was used in the Japanese rock garden or Zen Buddhist gardens to represent water or clouds. White sand represented purity, but sand could also be gray, brown or bluish-black.

Islands

To replicate the foggy mountainscape of Japan’s high places, artificial islands are constructed in many gardens. Their tops offer stunning vistas of the miniature landscape below and their bases are often bordered by lakes and ponds, representing the ocean. These features, along with the trees, create a much more interesting and diverse topography, with many different levels and angles serving to alternatively hide and reveal various aspects of the space.

Statues

Beneath the shady boughs and in many a hidden glen, visitors to Japanese gardens will find collections of statuary. These sculptures may depict monks, philosophers, ordinary folk, or even the Buddha himself. Like the many stones in these gardens, they too are encouraged to affect a mosaic of colored lichens and moss.

Bridges and Walkways

Not only the appearance of Japanese gardens is important, but also their presentation. Paths and promenades wind through the landscape, revealing new scenes and vistas with every turn. Allowing visitors to experience each little spot of beauty one at a time creates a much more immersive and interesting experience than laying everything out all at once. To cross the many ponds and streams, various ornamented bridges are included. The eye-catching moon bridges can be difficult to cross at times because of their profound arc, but add to the mystic ambience of the gardens.

Shrines

Some gardens, especially those constructed in the Zen tradition, may feature small shrines and temples to various deities and religious figures. Not all of these are accessible to the visiting public, but their towering pagodas or secluded refuges are a nice human touch which blend with the nature around them.

Lanterns

Another kind of sculpture which deserves its own section are the Japanese stone lanterns or tōrō. These can be hidden away among the shady trees and shrubbery or gathered in rows or collections along the garden paths. Traditionally, lanterns are composed of five parts representing the five elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and spirit. Much improvisation and creative innovation has taken place in lantern design, and not all elements may be present, but most still retain their carved base, taloned cap, and void-like central chamber.

Fish

The use of fish, particularly nishiki-goi (colored carp), medaka or goldfish as a decorative element in gardens was borrowed from the Chinese garden. Goldfish were developed in China more than a thousand years ago by selectively breeding Prussian carp for color mutations. By the Song dynasty (960–1279), yellow, orange, white and red-and-white colorations had been developed. Goldfish were introduced to Japan in the 16th century. Koi were developed from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Japan in the 1820s. Koi are domesticated common carp that are selected or culled for color; they are not a different species, and will revert to the original coloration within a few generations if allowed to breed freely. In addition to fish, turtles are kept in some gardens. Natural environments in the gardens offer habitats that attract wild animals; frogs and birds are notable as they contribute with a pleasant soundscape.

The Art and Experience of the Japanese Garden

Together, these and many other design elements have been mixed and matched to derive a multitude of unique styles and aesthetics. Regardless of how they are arranged, though, a deep harmony is always achieved which has fascinated and inspired artists and the public for centuries.

Gardens have figured heavily in Japanese art since their creation. Paper prints, screens, and household items from many eras display nobles strolling alongside lakes beneath maples and cherry trees. Other works focus on the gardens themselves, reproducing quiet scenes from the interior courtyards and temple grounds that have always dotted cities Kyoto and Tokyo. Even today, gardens are often seen in manga and animated shows and movies, given meticulous detail to further publicize the beauty and history of their design.

Photographers have been especially taken with the artistic precision and attention to composition and view in these spaces. Photography is one of the best ways to capture the numerous unique perspectives and minute details of these gardens, and many professional photographers visit them throughout the year to document and capture the seasonal changes and variations in light and atmosphere. The fine artworks produced by professional photographers have also helped to drive greater appreciation for these sacred spaces across the globe.

Anyone who has visited a Japanese garden will be familiar with the sense of calm and peaceful tranquility which pervades them. Many come to see the wonders of their natural design, others to unwind, relax, and reflect. Throughout the world they are known as pinnacles of aesthetic excellence, and though much has changed since their inception, they still speak to the deeper need we all have to join our daily lives to the natural world.

The Portland Japanese Garden

As a Portland native, the Portland Japanese Garden will always be a special place to me and one that I visit almost every year to photograph during the autumn season when the garden springs to life with color.

The Portland Japanese Garden sits nestled in the hills of Portland, Oregon’s iconic Washington Park, overlooking the city and providing a tranquil, urban oasis for locals and travelers alike. Designed in 1963, it encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles, and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. This is a place to discard worldly thoughts and concerns and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe.

Born out of a hope that the experience of peace can contribute to a long lasting peace. Born out of a belief in the power of cultural exchange. Born out of a belief in the excellence of craft, evidence in the Garden itself and the activities that come from it. Born out of a realization that all of these things are made more real and possible if we honor our connection to nature.

Portland Japanese Garden Art

The Portland Japanese Garden is a natural vehicle through which to explore Japanese art and design. Art exhibitions explore ideas and aesthetics integral to the fabric of life in Japan. Introducing a wide array of artists and art forms, these exhibitions will reflect on ways we experience peace through connections to art, nature, and one another.

Of all the work I have produced over the years, images created inside the Portland Japanese Garden has been some of my most successful. The simplicity, serenity and peace found inside the garden can be brought inside your home through beautiful artwork created here. To see more and take a virtual stroll through the garden from your chair, please browse the rest of my Japanese Gardens Art Collection and find a piece to bring home to your collection today!

Birmingham is a city in the north central region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Birmingham is the seat of Jefferson County, Alabama’s most populous county. As of 2020, Birmingham had a population of 200,733, making it Alabama’s second-most populous city after Huntsville. The broader Birmingham metropolitan area had a 2020 population of 1,115,289, and is the largest metropolitan area in Alabama as well as the 50th-most populous in the United States. Birmingham serves as an important regional hub and is associated with the Deep South, Piedmont, and Appalachian regions of the nation.

In Birmingham you will find some beautiful attractions that you just cannot miss! Places like Birmingham Museum Of Art, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and many more. Continue reading to know more.

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Birmingham

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The bright and beautiful, Birmingham Museum of Art.

Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama, has undoubtedly one of the finest art collections in the Southeastern United States. The Museum features a large collection of paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. There are more than 25,000 objects that represent a rich panorama of cultures from Asian, European, American to African, Pre-Columbian periods.

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Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is 7,157 acres filled with wildlife and greenery perfect for outdoor activities.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alabama, is one of the best places to visit and do outdoor activities. It features a 40-acre lake where visitors could fish or just admire the sea turtles during summer. The place is also perfect for those who want to watch migratory birds as it features a migratory bird stopover.

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Visit the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center where it offers various outdoor activities and beautiful views of nature.

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, located in Alabama, is perfect for those who love the great outdoors. The center is perfect for various outdoor activities and offers breathtaking scenery. The center features 14 miles of trails and a protected area for native flora and fauna.

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Admire the wondrous views the DeSoto State Park offers as it is situated atop the Lookout Mountain.

Visitors would surely love to check out the DeSoto State Park as it is situated atop Lookout Mountain and offers magnificent views overlooking nature. The mountain also has waterfalls and wildflowers which visitors should not miss out on seeing. The place is also perfect for various outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

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A sandstone canyon located near Phil Campbell in Franklin County, Alabama.

Dismals Canyon is a natural gorge and is marked as National Natural Landmark because of its uncommon wild rugged character. Many native plants are grown in the canyon. There is a 1.5-mile hiking trail from the canyon floor following the waterfalls. You can also enjoy canoeing and camping here. However, camping is allowed at specific camping sites and cabins.

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A mix of nature and history awaits visitors here.

This nature preserve is not only composed of awesome natural settings filled with trails for running and hiking. There are historic mines that can be visited, albeit with certain rules or protocols. However, one of the main objectives of this preserve is to conserve plant and animal life like chestnut trees, bats, and frogs. Educating people about the value of preserving biodiversity is another goal of Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. The natural park does this partly through the Nature Center, which has informative exhibits.

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Aldridge Botanical Gardens is a place filled with beautiful and vibrant flowers located in the heart of the busy city.

Aldridge Botanical Gardens, located in Alabama, will surely delight those who love gardening and admiring the beauty of nature. It is a 30-acre garden that features different flora and fauna which visitors would surely love to see. Different varieties of flowers are always in bloom every season. Tourists should not miss out on this garden.

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Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens in Alabama was once a plantation and currently houses 6 acres of landscaped gardens.

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens, located in Alabama, is a mansion that was a former plantation house. It features an Antebellum-era Greek Revival architecture that would surely leave guests in awe. The house also features a collection of 19th-century furniture and textiles that visitors could admire and learn more about.

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Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama where it features beautiful scenery.

Cahaba River, located in Alabama, is famous not only due to its length where it is the longest free-flowing river in the city but also because of the beautiful views of nature it provides. The river and its surroundings are also a great place to do outdoor activities such as fishing or hiking.

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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute houses an expensive archive of documents regarding civil rights.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located in Alabama, is an interesting and educational attraction as it houses an expansive archive of documents about civil rights. It also includes nearly 500 recorded oral histories of these rights. Its collections date back to the events of post-World War I racial segregation to the present racial progress.

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Sloss Furnaces is considered to be a historical landmark as it is one of the first industrial sites in the states.

Visitors should try exploring the Sloss Furnaces in Alabama as it once operated as an iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971. It is considered a historical landmark since it is one of the first industrial sites in the country. Visitors will also learn more about the country during the industrial age through this attraction.

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A place perfect for lovers of plants, art, exercise, and healing.

The foot of Red Mountain in the city of Birmingham holds a unique natural refuge that benefits different types of travelers. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens features around 10,000 plants spread across 25 different gardens. For art and photography enthusiasts, the gardens also feature original outdoor sculptures. In case gentle exercise (along with deep or casual conversations) is desired, this area has several miles of walking paths.

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A fiery god dominates this tourist attraction.

Only the Statue of Liberty is larger than the cast-iron statue of the Roman god Vulcan, which can be found at this site. The mythical god of fire and forge has an imposing presence here to symbolize Birmingham’s origins as an iron manufacturing powerhouse. The museum, on the other hand, is also noteworthy since it features exhibits on geology, metallurgy, mythology, map reading, and fine arts.

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The 16th Street Baptist Church is both a Civil Rights historical landmark and an ongoing house of worship.

The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was established in 1873 as the First Colored Baptist Church in Birmingham. In the early twentieth century, the church relocated to 16th Street and 6th Avenue North. During the Civil Rights Movement, the church served as an organizational headquarters.

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This park is perfect for those who love outdoor activities as well as learning about history.

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, located in Alabama, is the perfect place for those who love doing outdoor activities and history enthusiasts. Visitors could not only learn more about the history of the American iron history in New England but also do outdoor activities. Also, the park offers stunning views of nature. Visitors would surely love the park and visiting it.

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Catch a heart-pumping football game at the outdoor stadium of Legion Field.

Those who want to watch an exciting game of football should head on to the Legion Field, where it is usually used as a venue for American football. The stadium is located in Alabama and has been named after the organization of military veterans. It also prides itself as the “Football Capital of the South,” so football enthusiasts will surely have a pleasant time here.

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