Lucha Libre and me

The other night, I saw my first Lucha Libre "show". It was quite the event in town. Some of the top name Luchadores battling it out at the Plaza de Toros here in Cancun. It was a night of mayhem. The fighters taking to the ring getting the crowd to a fever pitch.
I found this brutal exchange both entertaining and curious. What is it in us this need to witness pain? To cheer as one person slams the other to the mat or throws him out of the ring to the floor.



I wonder sometimes just how far have we evolved. Even just as entertainment, it is an odd form. Humorous as it may be, I still found it interesting that we would cheer on the pain. I watched the acrobatics of it and must say I was impressed. Make no mistake, these are athletes in amazing shape. In no way could I do this and be able to walk home.



As a photographer, watching the action up close and much of it through my lens was thrilling. I spent much of the evening running from the luchadores who were fighting outside the ring, always watching for bodies flying out of the ring as well.



The luchadores were very aware of me and my camera and played to it in ways I could not have asked for. For me, this may be part of why I enjoyed making this collection of images so much. It was like covering a play and being a part of it at the same time. A choreographed play with split second timing. Me having to anticipate their moves and react, either by shooting or running. It made for a great shoot.