Valencia Architecture Photography Workshop – Spring 2024

Our workshop is for you if…

• You’re an amateur photographer of any ability who wants to improve your technical and creative skills
• You’re an advanced or Pro photographer looking to expand your portfolio with new and different images
• You’re a competitive camera club member and looking to create amazing winning images
• You want to spend time with like minded photographers

What makes this such a great Spanish photography tour?

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (English: City of Arts & Sciences, Catalan: Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) is a place of wonder and imagination; a cultural and architectural complex located in Valencia, Spain. Architect Santiago Calatrava’s audacious vision is a dreamscape of steel, glass, concrete, water and ceramic that defied categorisation, and of course just ripe for our cameras.

You will also find Calatrava was inspired by the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. The complex has featured in many TV and Hollywood films including StarWars and BBC Doctor Who. It is considered one of the most important modern architectural examples and is also one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

From sunrise to sunset, the Valencian sun beats down on the ceramic curves of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a futuristic cityscape shimmering in the golden light. It’s skeletal structures, like the bleached bones of a leviathan, reach towards the sky, their forms defying the boundaries of the conventional.

The complex consists of five principle buildings with linking structures, all designed with an oceanographic and marine theme:

L’Hemisfèric (an IMAX cinema), a giant eye half-closed in eternal slumber, its smooth, reflective sphere mirroring the vibrant hues of the sky. Often bathed in different colours at night and surrounded with aqua marine waters.

L’Umbracle, a sprawling network of white, sinuous ribs, casts intricate shadows on the verdant gardens below.

El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (the museum building), a crystalline snowflake fractured and scattered across the ground, shimmered with an otherworldly luminescence.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (the opera house), a crown of symmetrical ceramic horns, reaching for the heavens. Its sharp edges, seemingly at odds with the surrounding serenity, speak of the power and passion of human creativity, forever pushing the boundaries of the known.

And finally, L’Àgora, a giant blue sale unfurling in the wind. Its looming exterior hides a backbone where the ever changing light seeps through to the interior forming never ending shape, form and shadow. It expansive interior once the home of the Spanish Tennis Open.

The whole City of Arts and Sciences is a symphony of light and shadow, a fusion of the natural and the man-made.

We will visit the City of Arts & Sciences every day during the workshop

The old town of El Carmen

In contrast, the old town of El Carmen, you’ll find historic gems such as the Mercado Central, one of Europe’s biggest indoor markets with over 1000 stalls housed in a beautiful Valencian Art Nouveau style building, the stunning Cathedral plus the La Lonja de la Seda, the 15th century silk exchange, a gothic masterpiece and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus the art-deco railway station with its mosaics and wood paneled ticket office.

Snaking though the old and new towns is the dry river bed of the former River Turia which today is an oasis of tree lined walks, fun fairs, cafes and multiple bridges with interesting architecture.

Our shoots can run from sunrise to sunset as we can utilise the light all day long – strong sunlight which may hamper other genres can add to our creative process. Most of the buildings are often illuminated at night offering a striking contrast to the blue hour skies. Most buildings are surrounded by shallow bright aqua coloured pools of water which can create stunning reflections.

Why photograph the City of Arts & Sciences with me?

Architecture and construction have been in my family for several generations. My Uncle was a well known architect and my father involved in unusual civil engineering projects. Our families holidayed together and they taught me greatly about architecture and how the lines, light and form needs to compliment in different situtaions. Both were also keen photographers, and in later life I became a graphic designer which again feeds into me love of graphical form, line, texture and light.

Trip extras

If time allows, there is the option for a sun set trip over to the Parc Natural de l’Albufera. This is a beautiful national park where the rice for paella is grown in water-logged rice paddy fields. Paella is of course the local speciality (and where Paella was invented) and must be sampled, but it’s really the sun set over the lagoon with the fishing nets in the foreground, and mountains in the distance that make amazing images.

There is also the option to visit the interiors of some of the buildings to photograph an alternative to the amazing exteriors. One of the main attractions is a back stage visit to the opera and theatre building which features stark brutalist concrete interiors and an amazing concrete spiral stair case.

Whilst in the old town I have a local secret… An amazing street food spot where they create the most amazing traditional local Paella at a fraction of resturant costs. A visit is always on the cards!

Your hotel in Valencia

During this 3-day, 4-night photography holiday in Spain, we’ll be based at the well reviewed 3 star Ilunion Aqua hotel, a modern hotel just a few minutes’ walk from the City of Arts and Sciences where many of the rooms directly over look the City of Arts and Sciences. Breakfast is included.

Workshop Approach

During this workshop we will look at how the architecture and setting can be used to create fine art images. Using lines, shapes, form and textures to create known and abstract imagery.

At each location we will look at how the landscape and architecture integrates, how the light sits and where it may move and change. Then we’ll consider the best framing and how to experiment with different ideas and view points, picking out different elements of the landscape and built environment and using them to best effect. I am on hand at all times to offer help and advice about composition and technique to help you get the very best from every location.

Our trips are structured for photographers of all photo abilities; For those that are beginners or want additional help, we provide assistance, evaluation and guidance throughout from an experienced landscape, architecture and travel photographer. For experienced photographers, you have the benefit of joining a workshop with a photo guide with excellent local knowledge. We want photographers of all abilities to leave the workshop with an amazing array of creative quality images to be proud of.

One Hour Free Follow-up Review

I also offer a one hour follow up after the workshop. You can use this how you wish; to help with selecting images, for help with editing or a mix of both. This is provided via a Zoom or online meeting.

Access to Private Members Facebook community

We also have a private Facebook group where members can join and post images for feedback and I answer questions and give help and advice.

Workshop Schedule

Arriving on Thursday 18th April 2024, We will travel by private taxi to our hotel. After a rest we meet in the evening for an informal get together to discuss the workshop and to orientate ourselves. Followed by 3 full days of photography, there is no strict agenda and we take the days as the weather and conditions present. The workshop finishes on the evening of Sunday 21st April with participants leaving on Monday 22nd April 2024.

Images from the previous Valencia trips

All the following images taken by myself – these are not stock photos!

Interior Architecture

Images from the Valencian old town of El Carmen and other points of interest

Full logistical details, assistance with booking transport will be provided (if needed) after deposit is received.