Path of the Pilgrims: Camino de Santiago on film

Centuries ago in Santiago de Compostela, it was believed that angels had brought the remains of James the Apostle to this city in Spain — where his tomb lies within the historic Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Since then, a pilgrimage that goes by the name of “Camino de Santiago” (also known as the “Way of St. James”) was formed: a 500-mile pilgrimage trail that traces and connects the coasts, mountains, and farmland of Spain, France, and Portugal. Travelers, who are referred to as pilgrims, embark on a journey across those countries (or country, depending on the route taken) to make their way to the northwest of Spain and conclude their trek at the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

The ancient pilgrimage is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site. With its roots in Spain, pilgrims who traverse on this journey share the phrase “Buen Camino!” to one another as a way of greeting. It’s a simple but genuine way of wishing fellow pilgrims well on their journey. The statement directly translates to “good way.”

Though the Camino has its origins and associations with Christianity, those who embark on the hike come from all walks of life regardless of one’s background and religious beliefs. The Camino de Santiago is well-known to be a spiritual universal trek that is not bound to a singular entity. What binds those who chose this walk is in their ability to appreciate and see value in the journey itself — becoming the pathfinders of their own stories in their own personal ways.

The hike can also be considered a catalyst for personal growth, unlocking new discoveries within oneself as the journey unfolds. Many view it as a life-changing experience that has the potential to bring newfound light, significance, and purpose.

Thus, a kind of experience like this cannot go completely unseen. Some would argue counter to that statement, but others would agree that not a moment on the Camino can go undocumented.

We gathered photos from three community members — @kralle, @enlomarte, and @fh_miguel — who have shared photos from their respective Camino journeys.

@kralle’s Camino photos were shared in 2019, when he began his hike by way of Germany. Instead of opting for the total 500-mile walk, he shared photos that detail his nine-day trek through Rottenburg am Neckar to Freiburg im Breisgau, passing through lush green fields, forests, and towns.

@enlomarte captured their 2011 Camino hike on a Lomography Diana F+ Wide Angle Lens. Snapping away photos that perfectly encapsulate the journey in motion.

@fh_miguel shot his Camino experience by way of Portugal on a 35 mm black and white film roll. We got to speak with him about the gallery of photos he shared of his trip and what it was like going on this adventure with friends.

“Last year my friends and I decided to do the Portuguese variant from the city of Pontevedra, this is characterized by its great coastal and mountainous landscape, but also by its magnificent gastronomy.”

People walk the Camino for different reasons. Some choose to walk it alone, while others prefer to make it a group experience. For some, a religious calling inspires them to embark on this journey, while others are fascinated and curious by the history behind the route. Some are also motivated by the physical challenge it presents, or to simply take some time for introspection and contemplation.

For @fh_miguel and his friends, they were looking for a release from the year that had been:

“Many people do this path for meditation, disconnection or spiritual reasons, but in our case we wanted to have a good time after a course marked by COVID-19.”

“Our idea during the five days of travel was that we were going to disconnect from the digital world, leaving behind any technology. My friends and I are lovers of traditional life, we like to experience rural life, talk to people in the villages and discover the traditions.”

There are multiple starting points for trekking on the Camino, each offering a distinct adventure for pilgrims. The four most well-known and preferred routes are the Camino Frances, Camino Portugues, Camino del Norte, and Camino Primitivo. The Camino Frances is a month-long journey spanning France and northern Spain, while the Camino Primitivo lasts 12 days.

As travelers continue their pilgrimage, they find themselves immersed in the history and culture of the small towns, villages, and landscapes they pass through.

In the week leading up to Miguel's Camino, he made a firm decision to document the journey using analogue photography. He had a specific aesthetic in mind and chose to shoot in black and white 35 mm film to achieve the look.

“That is why I chose my Canon Canonet QL25 camera, which is characterized by the aura of low clarity that it leaves on the images, and also an Ilford HP5 film so that the photos were in black and white.”

“The idea was to create old memories, something that my grandchildren could find in a box many years later.”

After trekking through each town, they would spend the remaining hours of the day exploring.

“Many of these moments are captured on camera, like the day our feet hurt so much that we couldn't wear closed shoes, having to go out in flip-flops to have a beer. Another good moment was when we ate the famous "Pimientos de Padrón" on a terrace in Santiago de Compostela, as soon as we arrived. Or the afternoon we spent sitting on the curb in front of a hostel where we were the only guests. (the photo of my friend sitting on the curb).”

Miguel's Camino was shorter than the more popular routes, but that only gave way for him to plan out his next hike in the coming years:

“This time I would make the route through the north of Spain, an area also full of nature and beautiful landscapes and coastal towns.”

Lomographer @enlomarte captured the beauty of Camino in both vibrant colors and black and white with the Lomography Diana F+ Wide Angle Lens, highlighting the dreamy blue sky.

It is difficult to fully convey the unique and exceptional experience of walking the Camino. Nevertheless, the photographs taken by @kralle, @enlomarte, and @fh_miguel suggest that documenting the pilgrimage through analogue photography captures the essence, sentiment, and reminiscences of the journey in a remarkable way, frame by frame.

Big thanks to @fh_miguel for speaking with us for this gallery feature! And thank you to @kralle and @enlomarte for sharing their Camino de Santiago photos with the Lomography community! Any other hiking routes you've tried out or heard of? Share them below, along with your film photos, by creating your own LomoHome today.

written by macasaett on 2023-10-30 #places #hiking #spain #journey #35-mm #camino-de-santiago #photo-story