The City Of Arts & Sciences is an architectural complex in the Spanish port city of Valencia. The futuristic buildings were designed by two incredibly forward thinking architects, Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. Together they have created what is considered to be one of the Twelve Treasures Of Spain and the complex is a delight both visually and culturally. This is El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, an opera house, theatre and performing arts centre.
I chose to shoot the building in the late afternoon, as the piercing Spanish sun was setting over the city skyline. The strong sunlight highlights the contours of the architecture, and the long, sweeping shadows bring depth to the image and accentuate the subject. Both light and shadow play an equal role in my photography. I try to carefully balance each of them, to enhance the identity and character of the architecture, in a similar way to how a portrait photographer carefully balances his studio lights. I felt it was important to try to empathise with the original vision that Calatrava must have intended when he designed the building. In itself, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is one of his finest works of art, a modern day architectural masterpiece built from imagination, steel and concrete.
The following year, I entered two of my images of the City Of Arts & Sciences into the International Black & White Spider Awards, in Beverley Hills, California. These are the images that were selected in the architecture category. It’s always great to feel that your work is recognised by industry professionals, and to receive nominations and awards for my hard work, makes it all worth while …
And just in case you are wondering … the wonderful sound track is by David Helbock and called ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ – the perfect acoustic accompaniment to the Spanish theme. You can also view my short architectural video that i shot for the “Cuidad De Las Artes’ here :