“Urban Landscape” Photographer Omar Z Robles Captures the Elegance of Ballet on Cuban Streets

Street photographer Omar Z Robles has spent the past two years photographing ballet dancers among what he refers to as the urban landscapes of New York. Thanks to a grant from the Bessie Foundation, he recently traveled to Cuba—a country with a long tradition of dance—and the images he captured are amazing.

Once in Cuba, Robles says he discovered “a different kind of dance,” resulting from the dancers’ unique combination of classic Russian training and Afro–Caribbean heritage. He used a Fujifilm X–Pro2 and an assortment of lenses to make these wonderful images which you can explore in more detail on his Instagram feed.

As Robles explained in a recent blog post, “Ballet dancers make us feel as if their movements are truly effortless. This while pushing their bodies to the very extreme of what is humanly possible. It is that grace and elegance which mesmerizes us.”

He explains that unlike in the U.S. where many of us grow up being told not to pursue art as a career, “In Cuba, artists are greatly appreciated and they respect themselves as well.”

 You can explore a variety of Robles’ work on his website where there is a wealth of inspirational photography to both appreciate and emulate.

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