Morante de la Puebla has the uncanny ability to make something incredibly dangerous look incredibly elegant!
Here he passes the bull, Togado (ganadería Zalduendo), in Valladolid, Spain, during the bullfight in honor of Victor Barrio, held on September 4, 2016.
I enjoy matadors who place their own banderillas. José Rodriguez "Pepehillo" was always one to excite the crowd with his banderillas, including when he broke them in two (quebrados, or cortos), such as this time in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 31, 2008.
An array of souvenir Spanish fans, for sale outside Tijuana's Caliente bullring.
Photographed on July 8, 2018.
While at El Pana's sister's house in Apizaco, I presented her with a photo that I took in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental in 2013.
I will always remember that day, when El Pana won my admiration.
I wrote about it in this post.
I signed the photo thanking El Pana for that memorable day.
In November I was part of a tour arranged by the Peña Redondel of Sacramento, California, traveling from Mexico City (see the previous photos from Plaza Mexico), to Guadalajara.
During the trip, one of our stops was in Apizaco, the home of matador Rodolfo Rodriguez, "El Pana."
We visited the home of his mother, and then the home of his sister, which are both virtual shrines to the fond legacy of El Pana, who died of injuries suffered in the bullring in 2016.
Here is a Day of the Dead figurine in the likeness of El Pana, at the home of his sister.
The bull Destino (Bernaldo de Quirós), after its time in the ring with Ernesto Javier "Calita" in Plaza Mexico on December 10 of this year.
Ernesto Javier "Calita" capes his first bull, Destino (Bernaldo de Quirós) at Plaza Mexico, November 10, 2019.
Ernesto Javier "Calita," his cuadrilla, and the aguacil prepare to enter Plaza Mexico. Calita is lit by one of the many spotlights illuminating the long corridor leading to the bullring. (tap or click to enlarge)
One of the monosabios (assistants) at Plaza Mexico brings banderillas to a member of the cuadrilla of Ernesto Javier "Calita." Photographed on November 10 of this year.
Two monosabios (bullring assistants), await their entrance into Plaza Mexico.
The sign on the left is legalese, releasing Plaza Mexico from liability for injuries to those entering the callejón without permission! (I had permission).
Photographed on December 10, 2019.
A close up of Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla, as he awaits his entrance into Plaza Mexico.
Photographed on the afternoon of December 10, 2019.
Matador Morante de la Puebla awaits his entrance to Plaza Mexico on the afternoon of November 10, 2019.
At my recent shows in Mexico City and Guadalajara, I was frequently asked my opinions on different bullfighters.
My response was that each matador brought to mind a different word. Roca Rey: electrifying. José Tomás: purity. Morante de la Puebla: poetry.
La poesía describes Morante's sublime style. Often times it seems his passes are in slow-motion, his temple (passing the cape at just a certain speed to keep the bull at just a certain speed) is so perfect. His gesture, absence of gesture, or a raised or lowered hand, makes the difference between mechanics and poetry.
As a former matador who was sitting next to me commented (something is lost in memory and translation): "Many ears are cut, but artistry is rare."
Here is Morante passing his second bull, Agua Nieve, (Bernaldo de Quirós), from which he would be awarded an ear.
Photographed in Plaza Mexico on November 10 of this year.
Joselito Adame passes his first bull, Palomero (Bernaldo de Quirós). He would cut one ear from this excellent bull.
Joselito Adame, at Plaza Mexico, photographed on November 10 of this year.
Joselito Adame capes the bull, Venadito, (Bernaldo de Quirós), in Plaza Mexico, on November 10 of this year.
A lovely girl displays her capote (bullfight cape) earrings.
Photographed at Plaza Mexico on November 10 of this year.
It is my great honor to present 35 of my taurine photographs in Mexico City and Guadalajara in the coming two weeks.
Details are on the flyers below. The photographs will be on display next to the bullring in Mexico City this weekend, and in Guadalajara the following weekend. I will be presenting my slide show "My Journey Into Bullfight Photography" at both locations as well.
Thanks to Pepe Ramirez, Paco Doddoli, Honey-Anne Haskin and others for making this project a reality.
Arturo Macias holds a rose thrown by a fan after his faena with his first bull of the afternoon.
Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 11, 2013.
Alejandro Martinez Vertíz leads his bull to the picador.
Photographed in Tizimín, Yucatan, on January 16, 2011.
I have always liked the timeless appearance of this photo.
Almost all of the photos I took this day include the interesting hand-constructed three-level bullring in the background. I was sitting in the third level, with my feet dangling over the edge, like the fans in the picture.
A vendor selling algodón dulce, walks through the deserted upper section of Sól (sunny side).
Photographed in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on October 7, 2007 (my first bullfight!)
The alguacíl of Tijuana's Plaza Monumental lends an ear to an associate in the callejón.
Photographed on November 2, 2013.
Peruvian matador Andrés Roca Rey, photographed at La Petatera on February 16, 2016.
The bull, Nieto Querido (beloved grandchild) (ganadería Begoña), awaits the faena with Rodolfo Rodriguez "El Pana."
This was El Pana's first bull of the afternoon of May 26, 2013 in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental.
Alfredo Ríos, "El Conde" exults after placing banderillas.
Photographed on April 8, 2018, during El Conde's farewell performance at Tijuana's Plaza Caliente.