Sol y Sombra

León, Guanajuato, November 4, 2023: Diego Silveti

Diego Silveti was as superb as I have ever seen him during the afternoon of November 4 in León, Guanajuato, along with Roca Rey making a day to remember.

 

 

 

 

 

Irapuato, October 28, 2023: Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza

Every year I travel somewhere in Mexico to photograph Day of the Dead activities.

If it works out, I try to attend a bullfight before or after Day of the Dead.

This year I traveled to Michoacan for Day of the Dead (see my other blog, www.photoabcs.com in a few days when I begin posting those photos!)

I was able to attend one corrida in Irapuato on October 28, and another in León on November 4.

Each was exceptionally good!

Here are some photos of Pablo Hermoso in Irapuato, one of many stops on his despedida tour.

In the past 15 years I have seen Pablo at least a dozen times. In fact, seeing Pablo Hermoso 15 years ago is the reason I became interested in the Fiesta Brava!

This performance was his best I have seen in years. Though he cut two ears from each bull (ganadería: Montecristo), his performance with his second bull was exceptional. The pirouettes with his horses while riding away from the charging bull were a sight to behold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for the next week as I post more photos from Irapuato as well as from León, Guanajuato, of Joselito Adame, Francisco Martinez, Diego Silveti and Andrés Roca Rey.

Leo Valadez

Leo Valadez, one of Mexico's young and talented matadors, from Aguascalientes, performing in Aguascalientes at the Festival de las Calaveras on October 31, 2021.

Caping his first bull, Vivaracho (Perky) (Ganadería Begoña):

Ready to place banderilas:

After a series of passes with Vivaracho:

Citing for the kill. Leo would be awarded one ear:

Leo's second bull, Bien Querido, distracted while Leo makes his dedication before the faena:

With Bien Querido (Begoña):

Festival de las Calaveras, Aguascalientes, Novillada: Picadors and Banderilleros

With the novillo Antepasado (ganadería San Martín), for Alejandro Adame:

A Banderillero with Campo Santo, for Emiliano Robledo:

Festival de las Calaveras, Aguascalientes, Novillada: Emiliano Robledo

Another novillero from Aguascalientes, Emiliano Robledo, performing at the Festival de las Calaveras novillada at Plaza San Marcos on October 29, 2021.

His first novillo, Buen Recuerdo (ganadería San Martín):

With his second novillo, Campo Santo:

He had a difficult faena with Campo Santo, being upended more than once, but fortunately was not injured:

His award:

Festival de las Calaveras, Aguascalientes, Novillada: Miguel Aguilar

Another Aguascalientes novillero, Miguel Aguilar, performing in Plaza San Marcos on October 29, 2021.

Caping his first novillo, Místico (ganadería San Martín):

A rodillas:

Miguel asked to fight the reserve novillo, Espiritú (ganadería San Martín).

Finishing his capework with a flourish:

Miguel was awarded two ears for his performance with Espíritu. He looks upward, likely dedicating the award to his brother Mario.

Festival de las Calaveras, Aguascalientes, Novillada: Alejandro Adame

Alejandro Adame, performing on October 29, 2021, at Plaza San Marcos in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Entering the bullring:

With his first bull, Antepasado (ganadería San Martín):

With his second bull, Pan de Muerto:

Alejandro would win only applause during this novillada.

Picador

A very abstract shadow of a picador and his horse.

Photographed at the LA Cetto winery bullring on October 8, 2008.

The look of this photo (and others like it) is partly made in the camera (a long exposure) and partly in Photoshop (various techniques to accentuate edges, etc.)

 

Abstract

The bull Cerati (ganadería Xajay), charges the muleta of Fermín Rivera.

Photographed in Tijuana's Caliente bullring on August 11, 2019.

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.

Toro in Motion

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

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.

Farruco

The bull Farruco (ganadería Pozo Hondo), is led out of Tijuana's Plaza Monumental, after facing Peruvian matador Andrés Roca Rey on November 8, 2015. Roca Rey would cut two ears from the bull.

Banderillero

A banderillero, placing the banderillas for Alejandro Amaya during his encerrona (where a matador faces all six bulls himself). Photographed on October 3, 2010, at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental.

Arturo Macias

Another photo of Arturo Macias, performing at Tijuana's Caliente bullring on July 8 of this year.