Sol y Sombra

Julian Lopez, El Juli

I have seen El Juli perform quite a few times in Mexico, but have never seen him perform with the conviction he showed in Valladolid, Spain, on September 4, 2016, during the bullfight honoring Victor Barrio (see post from two days ago).

Alejandro Talavante

Performing in Valladolid, Spain, on September 4, 2016, in a bullfight in homage to Victor Barrio. (see the previous post)

Alejandro Talavante

On September 4, 2016, a bullfight was held in Valladolid, Spain, in homage to Victor Barrio, a matador killed in a Spanish bullring in July 2016. Six of Spain's top matadors performed, facing one bull each. The event was sold out, and each matador paid tribute to his widow who was present.

The mood was tremendously respectful, each bull came from a different breeder, and each matador gave an inspired performance.

One of the matadors was Alejandro Talavante, pictured below.

Enrique Ponce

Enrique Ponce is perhaps the most elegant of all matadors.

Here he performs in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on November 1, 2009, facing a bull from the ganadería Teofilo Gomez.

Sergio Flores

Sergio Flores performs in Xico, Veracruz, on July 23, 2017.

Sergio Flores

Sergio Flores takes a spare moment to practice his passes in the bullring chapel in Xico, Veracruz.

Photographed on July 23, 2017.

Sergio Flores

Sergio Flores, in the bullring chapel in Xico, Veracruz, shortly before the bullfight on July 23, 2017.

Taquilla

An abstract photograph formed by the ticket windows (taquilla) and three posters advertising the bullfight (featuring Jose Mauricio).

Photographed on August 9, 2008, in Tecate, Baja California.

Juan José Padilla

Spanish matador Juan José Padilla warms up with his capote.

Photographed in Mexicali on November 7, 2015.

Alejandro Martinez Vértiz

Alejandro Martinez Vértiz salutes the crowd and the presidente of the bullring after his faena. Photographed in Mexicali on April 11, 2015.

Diego Silveti

Diego Silveti warms up with his capote, as Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza warms up one of his horses. Photographed in Mexicali on April 11, 2015.

Diego Silveti

Diego Silveti, photographed in Mexicali on April 11, 2015.

Toro in Motion

The same bull as in the previous post, following the capote of José Mauricio. Photographed in Mexicali on October 14, 2007.

Toro

A handsome bull from the ganadería San Pablo awaits matador José Mauricio. Photographed in Mexicali on October 14, 2007.

Ronda

Groundskeepers rake the sand in the lovely bullring in Ronda, Spain. Photographed on September 11, 2016.

Bull in Motion

A bull (ganadería Los Encinos) follows the capote of the matador's assistant as it circles the ring.

Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on May 25, 2008.

Mexicali Beauty

A lovely young lady, dressed with a Spanish mantilla, flowers, and a traditional Spanish dress.

I took this photograph in Mexicali's Plaza Calafia in 2008, and it remains one of my favorite photographs.

Picador

A picador, at the plaza de toros in San Benito, Spain.

Ginés Marín

Ginés Marín is an up and coming Spanish matador.

Here he performs in San Benito, Spain, on September 8, 2016.