ringsidephotos.net Blog

The below quote comes from an article written by Eric Alterman entitled “Money for Nothing” which appeared in the March 29, 2010 issue of The Nation magazine. The article talks about the broadcast networks cutting their news divisions. He relates a scene from the 1994 movie The Paper. Robert Duvall’s character says the below, after I read it it made me think of wrestling photographers and I think it is a bit appropriate:

“The people we cover, we move in their world, but it is their world. You can’t keep up. If you try to make this job about the money, you’ll just make yourself miserable. Because we don’t get the money. Never have, never will.”

I picked up my copy of this year’s PWI 500 tonight and found not just 2 (as I was previously told) but four of my pictures included in it!  It makes me happy to see that my past work is still being put to good use.  Just a couple of inaccuracies though…two of the pictures are incorrectly credited to other photographers.  No major biggie, as I know our friends at PWI are swamped with wrestling photos every month and it’s easy to lose track of who took what. 

First the two photos that are correctly credited:

#485 Malachi on page 135, and #364 Ritchie Steamboat on page 118.

  Now on the incorrectly credited photos:

#377 Kirby Mack on page 121.  Click on the first thumbnail to see the entry and click on the second to see the original photo, which I took on 21 June 2007 in Waynesboro, VA at the Shenandoah Valley Fair for Hermie Sadler’s UWF promotion.  Kirby was dropkicking Christian York.

  #435 Slim J on page128.  First the scanned photo from the 500.  Then the original taken on 16 June 2007 at NWA Anarchy in Cornelia, GA.  Slim J vs. Patrick Bentley. 

Anyway, congrats to all the friends of ringsidephotos.net that made it in this year!

It has been almost six months now since my retirement announcement, and people are still asking “don’t you miss it…will you come and shoot my show…will you sell me your camera…you retired?”  The answers are: yes…for the right kind of money…NO…uhh, yeah. 

Another big question: “Are you coming to the Fanfestthis year?”  Sadly, the answer is again no.  It will feel a little odd that weekend not being there among the super Fanfest Fans, the Legends, the talent and a whole load of friends.  To quash any prattle before it starts – I have no “heat” with the Fanfest or its promoter Greg Price.  I wish him and the Fanfest the best of luck.  Greg was always a gentleman to me and always made sure I was taken care of for the entire weekend, plus he gave me admission to spend time with wrestling stars.  

I have not completely crossed wrestling off my activity lists though.  Since I’ve retiredI’ve been able to just go to shows, buy a ticket and be a fan.  It’s been fun, I’ve been to SWA in Forest City, APW in Spartanburg, HVW in Hendersonville, RCW in Cherokee, FMW in Fairview and shot the Anderson Bros Tag tourney in Monroe back in June.

A couple of days ago, I posted an status update on my Facebook page that said: “What’s that I see in the autumn of 2010? A possible return of ringsidephotos.net?  Hmm, could be….”  It could happen…I haven’t decided yet.  I do realize now though that wrestling has gotten into my blood.  It’s easier to sympathize with these guys who I see return, because I think it may be me.  I’m going to do some housekeeping on the site – and I may add a new gallery of some snaps I’ve taken while retired.  Thanks again to everyone for the emails etc!  Stay tuned!

31 January 2010

 To the fans, wrestlers, promoters, friends of RSPDN and others,

             Of course you’ve all noticed that I have been on an extended break.  The last show I shot was NWA Anarchy on 19 September 2009.  Since that time I have been doing a lot of thinking and I have reached a decision.  It has taken me over four months to reach this decision because pro-wrestling has been a very important and large part of my life since 2004.  March 2010 would be my sixth anniversary of taking wrestling photos.

            I have decided though, it’s time for me to hang up the camera.  I’m not going to say retirement, because you retire from a career, and I think the word “quitting” sounds so negative, so… I’m stopping.  I’m not saying that you will never see me at ringside again but for now I am done.

            First, thanks to you all that helped make all this possible.  You’ve helped make a childhood dream become reality.  There are too many to list, but I’ve thanked them before and I do so again.

            In the past years I have given up a lot to be a part of wrestling, those of you involved understand.  At the time you focus on getting to the next show.  I have realized though that during this time I have neglected much in my personal life; friends, family, my career, etc.

            I’m not getting any younger – and though I’m only 34 years old (I know, most of you thought at least 40!) I wish I had gotten involved in my early 20s, not 30s.

            In my short time I have seen a lot of great talent – men and women who eat/sleep/breathe this sport – who strive with every fiber of their being to “make it.”  To them I wish the best of luck!  Many of you deserve it.  Then I’ll be able to say “I knew _____ back when!”…Then maybe I could make big money on their old photos!

            I’ve also seen my share of folks who are just happy to go out and entertain the fans who showed up at the local show, and are good at it.  More power to you guys, you make it real for the local fans…What else have I seen?  Those poor souls who have no training, no clue, no gimmick, no personality, no chance.  In the word of a friend, ‘take two weeks off, come back and retire.”  I’m not going to name any names but there are plenty out there. 

            I never expected to make a living doing this and all told, I’m way in the hole, but that never bothered me – I was having too much fun.  I had one goal – to get published in Pro Wrestling Illustrated – and I did!  A handful of times, and I’m not ashamed to admit I have at least 3 copies of the magazines my photos appeared in.

            Anyway, I’ve gone on long enough.  Again thanks to everyone who supported us – financially, or by just saying “that was a great shot.”  It was all appreciated.  For now, I will be content to buy a ticket and sit on the other side of the barrier; it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that.

            Blake Arledge

Like the title says…I’m taking a break.  My last show was NWA Anarchy on 19 September.  I think I got some pretty good shots that night, but I could tell I was off my game- my timing wasn’t as good and I just felt really really tired during the entire show.  I took more photos than I usually do at a show that night, and the majority of them were deleted. 

To be honest, I am in a total burnout as far as wrestling is concerned.  It’s no one’s fault, and actually I believe it is natural for most folks.  I went pretty strong for a couple of years (strong for me anyway!) and I’m now catching up on other stuff in my life.  

Someone asked, “so are you done completely with wrestling photos?”  The answer is no…not yet.  Right now I have one show planned for November, and one in December.  Thanks to everybody who has stuck with ringsidephotos.net, and I encourage you to keep checking the site for any updates.  I am working on an idea for next year that I think some folks may like.

…and their convenient cup holder!

Yes, since you are seeing this it means I am working on the pictures from NWA Anarchy on 19 September.  Ringsidephots.net has moved into a new office (and new home) over the past couple of weeks, so the site has suffered a bit.  I’m going through the pics now and hope to have the site updated by tonight or tomorrow.  Thanks to everybody for your patience!