Corrales was born to a poor family in Ciego de Ávila, in rural Cuba and moved to Havana as a child.
He specialized in going to the remote parts of Cuba to photograph the everyday lives of poor peasants and workers.
Corrales worked for almost three decades in the Office of Historical Affairs, helping to preserve and organize the Castro government's documentary and photographic legacy.
In 1985 his work was seen in Homenaje a Raúl Corrales at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana.
He also formed part of many collective exhibitions: In 1966 Primera Muestra de la Cultura Cubana was seen at Pabellón Cuba, Havana.