“This photographer’s heart is in Cuba much the same way as the heart of Henri Cartier Bresson is in Paris, or Richard Avedon’s in New York.”

Ricardo Llera (B: 1958) lives and works in Miami, FL.

Ricardo Llera is a Miami-based photographer known for his visual exploration of Cuban culture through street photography, portraits, daily life, and cityscapes. His work often captures the essence of the Cuban experience, particularly focusing on how the communist regime, since its rise to power in 1959, has contributed to the deterioration of generations in both politics and society. Through his eyes, Llera documents the struggles, resilience, and identity of the Cuban people, providing a compelling narrative of their reality both on the island and in exile. His photography serves as a visual testimony of the impact of ideology on everyday life, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by Cubans.

A bit on the technical side, over the years I have had a mix of gear and tend to work with what I have. A mix of Canon, Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras, all film cameras are utilized. As well as black and white film - Kodak and Ilford primarily. Note that these are my tools that in the heart and soul of an artist creates the art.

Curriculum Vitae

Exhibitions

VIAJEROS: North American Artist/ Photographers’ Images of Cuba. Part Two., Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

Cuba, Southeast Museum of Photography, Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, FL.

Cuba: Imaginate! Casa Bacardi, University of Miami, Miami FL.

Collections

Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA.

University of Miami, University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, Miami, FL.

Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, FL.