Not saying this as an excuse, okay, it is (but it really makes a giant difference)–I wasn’t able to shoot cageside due to the limited number of spots. I was at Strikeforce to cover the event for Fighters Only Magazine, who I shoot for quite often, and you’d think being an internationally distributed MMA magazine would get me in but alas, no. I made do, as I always do, but missed much of the action in the cage. Overall, the event was quite good and the live production was solid. I can’t comment on the TV production but I’ll watch the show when I return and compare notes.
I love how both Shamrock and Diaz received more boos than cheers upon their walkout — fans love to boo.
I knew Nick Diaz would pull the upset, and in fact, did not consider it an upset. He’s still one of my favorites, even if his fight hype sometimes crosses many fans’ lines, Diaz always entertains, and well, he hypes the fight the best way he knows how. And after delivering the body blow that took Shamrock down, Diaz helped Shamrock up, calling him a legend.
When Nick saw Casey and I, he said, “I know you!” and we smiled, and so did he. That amuses me for some reason.
Here’s a few photos from tonight — including Scott Smith’s pulpy post-fight visage and Mickey Rourke chatting up Gina Carano. These photos will be available for sale on SmugMug sometime tomorrow. I’m falling asleep on my keyboard so I must, must sleep.
Hywel
Yay for the beautiful pics.
Boo at the lack of access. SF show us no love?
Apr 12, 2009 @ 5:20 am
Matt - Martial Farts
Hey, didn’t realise I could comment here.
These really are incredible pictures. I can’t wait to see the next event you shoot.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 6:51 am
Fast Eddie
Great workas usual Esther. Nice to see you again!
Apr 12, 2009 @ 7:35 am
Fightlinker.com
Better than anyone else. Even away from cageside you get the best pictures.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 8:14 am
Rodriguez
Brilliant pictures Esther.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 9:44 am
Al
Out of curiosity, how many pictures do you take that you don’t end up using?
Awesome pics by the way and I’m a huge fan of the through the cage shots.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 10:50 am
greenseed
any news on possible nick diaz vids like king mos???
awesome pics btw
Apr 12, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
mike`
I second the “training with nick diaz” blog idea, but knowing him, he probably wouldnt like it.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
Deo Wade
Awesome job as usual.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
GonzoDamon
Man, I wish that you had been further to the right for that picture of Diaz landing the body shot on Shamrock. That would have been an iconic image, as you can just barely see Frank’s grimace from that shot.
Awesome pictures though, seriously! Just stunning!
Why was Royce Gracie at the post-fight press conference? At least, that’s what it appears to be. Why was Royce there at all?
Apr 12, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
Esther
Mike and Greenseed, I’d love to do a vid on Nick Diaz. If you know him personally, send him my way!
And thanks to everyone for the compliments.
Royce was just there enjoying the fights.
And Hywel, I don’t think it was so much SF as some other issues regarding the production team needing lots of space and only allowing five or so photogs around the cage and they, for the first time ever probably, gave priority to web over print. It worked out, I guess.
Apr 12, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Esther
Oh and Al, I shoot more than I post, of course. It’s the same ratio as most other shooters. I don’t know exact numbers off the top of my head but I get a lot of usable shots, I just don’t post ‘em all because I’m very picky and don’t want to weigh things down with too many duplicates… even though I did post way too many arena shots. Nearly every single arena shot taken was so gorgeous, I couldn’t help myself.
Apr 13, 2009 @ 12:02 am
Matt C
Another great set of shots. Great work Esther.
Apr 13, 2009 @ 7:03 am
Mando
you should’ve taken a picture of me…….I was sitting right behind Helwani!! ha ….jk maybe next time though?
Apr 14, 2009 @ 3:57 am