My name is Ricardo IV Tamayo. I’m a photographer, a traveler on foot, and a cyclist. But above all, I’m someone who chose to live by his own values, not by what others expected of me.
For a while, I studied Medicine, thinking it was the “right” path. It had logic, prestige, and stability… but it didn’t fulfill me. Something deep inside resisted. A voice calling for freedom, truth, and creation. I chose to listen to it, even if it meant starting from scratch.
Since then, I’ve learned to follow my own dreams, not the ones others tried to place on my shoulders. Living with purpose isn’t always comfortable; but it’s always more honest.
Photography was the first language I truly connected with. It all began in the Sierra Maestra, while climbing Pico Turquino. I only had an iPhone 5, but the urge to capture what I was witnessing was stronger than any technical limit. That moment was a revelation: it’s not about having the best gear; it’s about knowing how to see.
Later, I bought my first camera: a Canon XTi with two basic lenses (18-55mm and 75-300mm). With that, I walked through cities, valleys, mountains; exploring Cuba step by step. Eventually, I worked with Nikon in commercial settings, gaining technical skill and speed. But I always knew my voice wasn’t about technique; it was about perspective.
Cycling came later; first as transportation, then as a way of life. It taught me endurance, patience, and the value of steady effort. It gave me new roads, new stories, and a deeper sense of connection with my surroundings.
Today, I work with a Canon 5D Mark III, and I blend classic and modern lenses to shape a visual style that reflects me:
• The legendary Helios 44-2, with its mystical softness and swirly bokeh.
• A Pentacon 29mm, full of character and versatility.
• A Praktica 135mm, perfect for portraits with emotional depth.
• The trusty Canon 50mm f/1.8.
• A Canon 70-300mm for action and open scenes.
• And occasionally, an old Nikon 80-200mm, because not everything valuable has to be new.
My current projects reflect that same spirit:
• A documentary photo series on Cuban cycling; rooted in passion, resistance, and everyday strength.
• A developing commercial portfolio focused on entrepreneurs, athletes, and real brands.
• And a book that merges storytelling with spiritual and philosophical reflection, reimagining divine origins and human evolution through symbolic and critical lenses.
This space will be a window into all of that: the journey, the process, the freedom to become who I choose to be.
Thanks for reading. This isn’t just an introduction; it’s a statement of intent. And the journey is just beginning.
