James Lontoc Cycles Palo Alto with the Lomo LC-A 120
2 4For James Lontoc, it’s all about the ritual: building a bike bolt by bolt, brewing coffee with care, letting a record crackle to life, or bringing film to light in his own darkroom. Each is a meditative rhythm, a process that keeps him present and grounded.
On his latest adventure, he set out with friends to conquer the notorious Palo Alto climb in Rizal, Philippines, armed with nothing but his bike, a single roll of Lady Grey B&W 120 ISO 400 film, and the trusty Lomo LC-A 120. The result? A story told through rhythm, grit, and a playful embrace of the unexpected.
Hi James, welcome to Lomography Magazine! First off, could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Hello! I'm just a guy who found what I love doing and kept at it. Photography, cycling, specialty coffee, and a little bit of vinyl. The win is that they all blend together nicely.
What made you decide to capture this ride using just one roll of film?
Instinct! When I got the invite, my first thought was to shoot a ride. Bikes on mountain roads, medium format monochrome...it just felt right. The Palo Alto ride became a short story I wanted to tell. And honestly, a lot of prayer. The week before had endless rain, so I begged God for cloudy weather but no rain (very specific because I was shooting with flash) that Saturday morning. That’s exactly what I got, and it started pouring just a couple of hours after I got home.
Palo Alto’s climb is no joke. How did the ride itself shape the way you photographed it?
I’d done the climb a few times before, so it was actually the least unknown part of the day. Knowing what was ahead let me pace myself, and that naturally dictated the pace of shooting. Stay in zone 2 when there’s nothing to zone focus on (lol), then push harder to either chase a shot or get ahead of it. When we reached Palo Alto, I raced ahead just so I could capture my buddies struggling with it from the peak!
Medium format can feel very different. How was your experience shooting with the LC-A 120?
Definitely unique and fun! The LC-A 120 subverted everything I expected from a medium format camera. Usually they’re heavy, precise, and slow. The LC-A 120 was light, agile, and in true Lomo fashion, playful.
Zone focusing while riding was a gamble, because it’s hard to guesstimate distance while balancing on the bike with the camera to your eye, chasing two guys who go fast. It’s also a quirky camera. Getting the film start point just right so you get all 12 exposures with good spacing is something I haven’t nailed yet. Maybe a skill issue, haha.
Cycling and film photography both have their own rhythm. Do you find those two worlds connecting for you?
Yes, in so many ways. Beyond being democratic and accessible, they can both be financial black holes. IYKYK! But in all seriousness, I find both cycling and film photography to be meditative and process-driven.
I built my bikes from the frame up, choosing each part that makes the whole. I shoot black and white film and develop and scan the negatives myself. Both are choices toward specific goals. Each has its own rhythm, but both are tactile and deeply experiential.
What was your favorite photo from your ride?
The whole roll is special because every shot has its own story. But if I had to pick, it’s the one of Ahon Coffee in Boso Boso. I love it because (a) it feels very “medium format” and even “new topographical,” and (b) it’s simply one of those stops that are a cyclist’s mecca. Plus, a bunch of guys in tight spandex congregating in one place, what’s not to love?
Lastly, do you have any words for fellow Lomographers out there?
Think about what you love, think of how to shoot it, and then throw all that thinking out the window. Let the chaos happen!
Thank you James for sharing your experience and bringing the Lomo LC-A 120 on your trip! To learn more about James' work, you can visit his Instagram and website.
written by reineso on 2025-10-27 #gear #culture #people #places #coffee #philippines #cycling #palo-alto #lomo-lc-a-120 #james-lontoc
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