The Matador and the Bulge...er...Bull

It's been a long time since I've posted here. Mostly due to the graduation season being hectic and tiring. I haven't gotten a chance to go shoot anything on my own time and news has been mostly lacking in excitement. But the other night i got to shoot a bullfight. Something I had never experienced before. I had no idea what to expect. I was hoping for excitement and I was not disappointed.

When the first bull came out of the entrance hall and immediately turned and smashed a hole in the wall that was suppose to separate guys like me from one-ton of angry mammal I knew it would not be boring. And the excitement just kept coming.

The Horseman and the matadors did exactly what you'd expect them to do; dodge a bull and jab it with non-lethal spears. Pretty standard. But then cam the Forcados. Their job is the pega de cara or pega de caras, "face catch" in English. I think you see where this is going.

After a fight is over about twenty of these guys line up in a straight line and let the bull charge and ram them while they hang on and try to slow it down.

Nuts.

Anyway, it was pretty cool and I'd love to go to more.

For today's photos I've stuck with just one of the Matadors, Victor Blasquez. He was the top guy of the four matadors at the show.

This is during the opening ceremony.

And on to the fight.

Don't stare directly into it. I think you know what I'm talking about.

Remember those Fordacdos I mentioned? Yeah, their job sucks. *Photo in color for full green elf hat action

I hope you enjoy the photos.

-Dan