Sol y Sombra

Rafael Ortega (1970-2023)

More photos of Rafael Ortega, photographed in Leon, Guanajuato in 2010:

 

 

Saliendo a hombros with El Juli:

Rafael Ortega (1970-2023)

More photos of Rafael Ortega, photographed in Leon, Guanajuato on January 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Rafael Ortega (1970-2023)

More photos of Rafael Ortega, photographed in Leon, Guanajuato on January 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Rafael Ortega (1970-2023)

More photos of Rafael Ortega.

I saw him perform in a memorable corrida in Leon, Guanajuato, on January 30, 2010, with El Juli and Mario Aguilar (1991-2018).

During this corrida he faced exceptional bulls and cut two ears.

 

 

Rafael Ortega (1970-2023)

I recently reviewed all of my photos of Rafael Ortega, whom I saw twice, once in Leon, Guanajuato in 2010, and once in Tijuana in 2011.

I posted a few of them last year, shortly after his passing.

I will post more now, over the next few posts.

Tijuana, Plaza Monumental, August 7, 2011:

 

 

 

Rafael Ortega, 1970-2023

Tlaxcaltecan matador Rafael Ortega passed away this week at the young age of 53.

I was privileged to see him in the ring twice, once in León, Guanajuato in January, 2010, in a cartel with El Juli and Mario Aguilar (1991-2018), and then the following year in Tijuana, in a cartel with Humberto Flores and Enrique Espinoza "El Cuate."

In León:

 

In Tijuana:

 

Rafael Ortega

Matador Rafael Ortega, positioning the bull Velerista, at a bullfight in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental. Photographed on August 7, 2011.