...silence in the cathedral..., a photo from La Coruna, Galicia

Photographer's Note

2010 is a very important year for Santiago de Compostela because this year is the Xacobeo.

But, let's talk of the city (Wikipedia will talk):

Santiago de Compostela was originally founded by the Suebi in the early 400s, as part of the collapse of the Roman Empire. Then, in 584 the whole settlement together with the rest of Galicia and northern Portugal was incorporated by Leovigild into the Visigothic kingdom of Spain. Raided from 711 to 739 by the Arabs, Santiago de Compostela was finally recaptured by the Visigothic king of Asturias in 754, about 60 years before the identification of remains as those of Saint James the Great, and their acceptance as such by the Pope and Charlemagne, during the reign of Alfonso II of Asturias. From then on, this settlement was not just a city, but a holy city, and one of the main centers of Christian pilgrimage, rivaled only by Rome itself and the Holy Land. Still, there are some who claim that the remains found here were not those of the apostle James but those of Priscillian. They are also thought by many to be someone else altogether. Christian persecution of Spain's Muslims, following the fall of the Moorish state in 1492, echoes into present time, with local residents evincing antipathy towards those who are visibly Muslim.

Santiago de Compostela was captured by the French during the Napoleonic War and its capture broke the spirits of the many Spanish guerillas who were fighting the mighty invading armies of Marshals' Soult, Victor, Massena and Napoleon's brother, the new King of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte. During the war, many attempts were made to recapture it by Spanish partisans, who believed St James would come down on the field and destroy the French if they earned his favour by beating the French out of the holy city, which was St James's city. Many of the attempts to return the holy city to the Spanish failed, and the only one that didn't fail was unsuccessful in retaining its hold on the city, and the combined British and Spanish forces were beaten back, where they retreated with the British, and the city was back in French hands within 48 hours.

History of the Way of St. James Pilgrimage Way of St. James.

The legend that St James found his way to the Iberian peninsula, and had preached there is one of a number of early traditions concerning the missionary activities and final resting places of the apostles of Jesus. Although the 1884 Bull of Pope Leo XIII Omnipotens Deus accepted the authenticity of the relics at Compostela, the Vatican remains uncommitted as to whether the relics are those of Saint James the Great, while continuing to promote the more general benefits of pilgrimage to the site. According to a tradition that can be traced before the 12th century, the relics were said to have been discovered in 814 by Theodomir, bishop of Iria Flavia in the west of Galicia. Theodomir was guided to the spot by a star, the legend affirmed, drawing upon a familiar myth-element, hence "Compostela" was given an etymology as a corruption of Campus Stellae, "Plain of Stars."

I hope you like it.

feather, maria-v1981, carlosmarin, bukitgolfb301, Cretense, Budapestman, Charo, Leconte, ktanska, kastanaras, leonorkuhn, emjleclercq, riclopes, adramad, Bluejeans, ManuMay, Longroute, josepmarin, Fante, yeln, edcone oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

feather (51130) 2010-01-09 7:25

You did very well to handhold this. I assume photography was not really allowed during a service! Exposing for the brightness of the surroundings works very well as I like the congregation in silhouette. I like how you framed the image so the priest was standing in a space between two people.
Kath

jhm (211734) 2010-01-09 8:09

Hello Carlos,

Thank you very much for your interesting note.
An church or a cathedral give always a apart feeling when you come in.
Warm colors good depth, you leads us very well to the background, nice presentation.
Very well composition. TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

maria-v1981 (10966) 2010-01-09 13:01

Holla Carlos.
What an amazing picture and moment. The colours and the light is great. Also the figures of people is very good.
Again you give us an excellent work.
Saludos.
Maria.

ophelcia (0) 2010-01-09 13:23

Hi:)
Did you walk there?
The vertical frame is marvellous, makes me feel I'm there:)

carlosmarin (11954) 2010-01-09 16:53

Hola Carlos,
comienza el Xacobeo y estás al día comunicandonoslo.
Buena y difícil foto por la luz.
Has mostrado el espléndido barroco de la Catedral de Santiago.
Gracias por compartir.
Un abrazo,
El "tocayo"

xavshot (69835) 2010-01-10 0:43

Bonjour Carlos
trčs belle gestion de l'exposition. L'ambiance est bien rendue et le cadrage vertical s'imposait ici. Beau travail.
Xavier

DRAKOLIMNH (1224) 2010-01-10 1:46

Hello Carlos,
a very special moment ,your shot it is superior-congratulations,
Petros

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2010-01-10 2:41

Hello my dear Carlos

This is an another great shot!
Marvelous impressive shot, perfect composition, nice and thick color arrangement, gorgeous atmosphere indeed, deep exposure and light control are so admirable as usual. This is very much photogenic, so beautiful and wonderful.
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a good Sunday evening!

Takero

Cretense (68709) 2010-01-10 5:15

Hola Carlos!

Impresionante toma, muy atmosferica! Una gran escena del dia a dia, pero impresionante toma de interior, a la vez! Gran encuadre y composicion, muy buen manejo de la luz, preciosos colores calidos!

Un saludo,
Hercules

angie-barcelona (2784) 2010-01-10 5:33

Hola Carlos,

me gustan mucho los tonos de los colores. Una fotografía bien difícil, Aunque te he de decir que hay otras fotografías tuyas que me gustan más... me imagino que no debías tener las mejores condiciones.

Un abrazote,

Gemma

Budapestman (82620) 2010-01-10 7:48

Hi Carlos,
a very beautiful interior photo with spectacular vertical composition and amazing details, the golden lights are beautiful, Tfs! Have a nice Sunday!
George

Charo (51290) 2010-01-10 9:22

Hola Carlos,
Yo estuve hace pocos días por ahí, pero no entré dentro. Original la composición con los tubos del coro enmarcando la imagen.
Un abrazo,
Charo

Leconte (5795) 2010-01-10 9:45

Hola Carlos,

beautiful scene of mass, rare picture, beautiful vertical frame, a nice atmosphere, very good management of light which allows us to distinguish many details of the architecture and decoration,

best regards,
Valérie.

ktanska (44492) 2010-01-11 2:35

Hi Carlos,
Incredibly richly detailed cathedral. Illumination of the place is even allowing a decent exposure in low light. Unlike many such interior shots this was taken during service, but without disturbing anyone. Well done!
Kari

carper (96) 2010-01-11 3:38

very nice one Carlos,
the atmosphere is stunning,
good how you handled the light here, well taken shot, good one, have a good day.
regard jaap

kastanaras (1160) 2010-01-11 6:46

Hi Carlos,
Stunning picture and interesting note.
Very good composition, nice framing.
Very good lighting and nice colors.
Good afternoon,
Dimitris

luighi (5303) 2010-01-11 10:55

Yo diria que la veo un poco oscurilla , pero no lo voy a decir.Me parece una gran composicion vertical en unas condiciones de luz bastante complicadas incrementandose el mérito del disparo.Y un poco torcida no?
Un abrazo.
lUIS

lousat (138669) 2010-01-12 4:57

Hi Carlos,the interiors of the churches are always difficult to take,the light is usually few..and you work at the best,impressive composition and perspective whit the top quality of sharpness and colors...i see today this place under the snow on TV and the atmosphere was truely fantastic! My best compliments,have a nice day,LUCIANO

MrCairo (0) 2010-01-12 12:55

Famous Santiago de Compostela ! ( Coelho :) )
Golden and calm, I can feel this mood.
I like it.
Best regards
Wojtek

mirarer (4751) 2010-01-14 2:40

Hola Carlos,
Supongo que aquí tampoco se puede usar el flash ni el trípode (Spain is different) así que la foto lo paga. Nos tendremos que quedar con la luminosidad dorada del barroco y las siluetas de los orantes que son las que le dan la atmósfera a la imagen.
Saludos,
Mirari

silviab (2555) 2010-01-14 5:21

Hola Crlos!
Sugestiva imagen del interno de la catedral, con una caliente luz que domina y los silhouettes de los fideles bien definidos. ĄMe gusta!
silvia

leonorkuhn (16237) 2010-01-14 7:17

Hola Carlos,

Hermosa imagen del interior de la catedral durante una ceremonia religiosa. La catedral es magnífica y la decoración refleja su historia desde la Edad Media. Me gusta la atmósfera solemne y la excelente gestión de la luz.

Abrazos
Leonor

emjleclercq (15778) 2010-01-14 13:53

With the gold everywhere, between the elecrtrical light and the decoration of the altar, this makes really of the cathedral God's Palace. Very good use of this artificial light.

All the best,

Emmanuel

riclopes (35577) 2010-01-15 1:51

Olá Carlos, this is an impressive interior shot while the mass is happening. Wonderful light and silhouettes, fantastic gothic mood. Love the organ details on top and the sight of the priest(s) in the background. Nice that they are dressed in red for color contrast. Congrats.
ric

adramad (72590) 2010-01-15 6:44

Hola Carlos.
Magnifica imagen del altar de la catedral, fotografia nada facil por sus condiciones de luz pero que has resuelto muy bien. Me gusta el contraste que dan los tubos del organo en contraluz, la imagen transmite el recogimiento de los asistentes al oficio y el dorado explendor del barroco.
Buen fin de semana y saludos.
Luis.

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-01-16 1:54

Ola Carlos
Que beleza o interior desta catedral que lindos detalhes de arte sacra , gostei das silhuetas das pessoas, bonitos tons dourados, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

ManuMay (36447) 2010-01-17 13:18

Hola Don Carlos!

Estupenda la imagen vertical, y lo mejor el captar la atmósfera de la Catedral, con su barroco inundandolo todo, y con esa luz casi mística que bańa el interior...muy bien captada, con unos tonos de color calidos y muy logrados...

Saludos

Manu

Longroute (19600) 2010-01-18 1:09

A very good and fine composition, a remarcable subject framed well and resulting in a incisive and expressive photo.
Well done,
Donato

josepmarin (59385) 2010-02-01 3:42

Hola Carlos,
aquesta no és una foto fŕcil d'interior, per la seva complicada llum i el desequilibri amb les parts més fosques.
Perň l'has resolt bé, ni poca ni massa exposició, captant la gran riquesa ornamental de la Catedral de Santiago amb nitidesa.
El conjunt funciona bé, bona feina.
Una abraçada,
Josep

Fante (5429) 2010-03-14 5:55

Hi Carlos,
very impressive, intimate and religious photo. Great composition, excelent and strong colors. Very good POV and sharpness. Congratulations,
Regards, Sasko