Travel Photography in Valencia: A Cinematic Journey

I spent three days photographing Valencia, focusing on the beaches, the City of Arts and Sciences, and the Fallas Festival in the old town. I kept my gear light, using a Nikon Z50 II, 16-50mm kit lens, and a Sirui 24mm anamorphic lens. Photos were edited in Lightroom using the Dehancer plugin for a cinematic look (full review coming soon). Highlights included blue hour at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia and capturing the festival atmosphere. If you love travel photography, Valencia is a must-visit!

Travel Photography in Valencia: A Cinematic Journey

Introduction

Valencia is a city that never fails to impress, whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth. With its stunning mix of modern architecture, historic old town, and relaxing beachside atmosphere, it’s a paradise for travel photographers. I recently spent three days in the city, capturing its essence using only a Nikon Z50 II, the 16-50mm kit lens, and a Sirui 24mm anamorphic lens. Keeping my gear light allowed me to focus on the experience rather than lugging around heavy equipment.

In this article, I’ll take you through my journey—from unwinding by the beach to exploring the City of Arts and Sciences, and finally, immersing myself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Fallas Festival in the old town. I also edited my photos in Lightroom using the Dehancer plugin, which I’ll be reviewing in detail soon.

Day 1: Relaxing at Valencia’s Beaches

The first day of my trip was all about slowing down and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of capturing the ‘perfect shot,’ but sometimes, the best moments happen when you’re just present.

Valencia’s beach area, Playa de la Malvarrosa, offers a wide, open space with golden sand and a long promenade lined with cafes and palm trees. I focused on capturing the laid-back lifestyle—locals jogging, families enjoying the sun, and the occasional cyclist passing by.

Since I had minimal gear, I switched between the 16-50mm kit lens for flexibility and the 24mm anamorphic lens for cinematic compositions. The anamorphic lens worked particularly well for wide shots of the sea and sky, giving a slightly dramatic, filmic feel to the images.

Day 2: The City of Arts and Sciences – A Photographer’s Dream

The City of Arts and Sciences is, without a doubt, one of my favourite parts of Valencia. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this futuristic complex is a playground for photographers, with its sleek, white structures reflecting beautifully in the shallow pools.

I spent hours exploring different angles, using reflections, leading lines, and the natural light of the day. The Sirui 24mm anamorphic lens was a game-changer here, creating dramatic, cinematic perspectives that enhanced the architecture’s already surreal feel.

One of my favourite shots was of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia at blue hour, its curved structure illuminated beautifully against the evening sky. These images were later edited in Lightroom with the Dehancer plugin, adding a filmic tone to complement the sci-fi aesthetic of the location.

This photograph captures a striking architectural scene featuring the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe in Valencia, Spain. Taken at night or during blue hour, the image highlights the futuristic design of the building, with its intricate skeletal framework and dramatic repeating lines. The artificial lighting accentuates the geometric details, casting soft glows on the structure and its reflections in the still water below. The composition emphasizes the building’s scale and symmetry, with a perspective that draws the eye along its length into the distance. The monochrome or desaturated color treatment adds a timeless, cinematic quality, enhancing the contrast between light and shadow.

Day 3: Exploring the Old Town and Fallas Festival

The final day was all about Valencia’s historic centre, where the contrast between old and new is most apparent. Narrow streets, rustic buildings, and vibrant plazas make the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) an endless source of inspiration.

The timing of my trip coincided with the Fallas Festival, a spectacular event filled with enormous paper-mâché sculptures, fireworks, and lively street celebrations. I tried to capture the essence of the festival, focusing on the warm glow of streetlights, the crowds, and the intricate details of the fallas sculptures.

Shooting at night was a bit tricky. I relied on the Nikon Z50 II’s high ISO performance to capture the scene without needing a tripod. However, an annoying mistake on my part was forgetting my dust blower—something I noticed when I changed lenses and found dust spots on my sensor. It’s a small but frustrating lesson in always double-checking your kit!

Editing in Lightroom with Dehancer

Back home, I processed my images in Lightroom and used the Dehancer plugin to give them a more organic, film-like feel. The film grain and colour profiles in Dehancer really helped enhance the mood of my shots, especially those from the City of Arts and Sciences.

I’ll be doing a full review of Dehancer soon, so if you’re interested in achieving a cinematic, film-inspired look (because I am not get out much with my film camera much) in your digital photography, stay tuned! 

Final Thoughts

This trip reaffirmed why I love travel photography. It’s not just about the photos—it’s about immersing yourself in a place, noticing the small details, and appreciating the unique light and atmosphere. Whether it was the tranquility of the beach, the modern elegance of the City of Arts and Sciences, or the energy of Fallas Festival, Valencia offered something new and inspiring at every turn.

If you’ve ever thought about visiting Valencia, I highly recommend it—especially if you’re into photography. And if you have any favourite spots in the city, let me know in the comments!

Stay tuned for my upcoming Dehancer plugin review, where I’ll dive deeper into how I achieved the cinematic tones in my images.