JAMES CARBONE'S life is a study of cultures that's expressed through his passion for photography. Bilingual, the son of a Mexican mother and Italian father who was a portrait photographer, Carbone was born in Los Angeles, California. From an early age Carbone read through the books of great photographers: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Mary Ellen Mark. "Seeing all those great images started my obsession with photography," Carbone says.
Carbone's specialty is shooting digital and black and white film, using classic documentary photography skills. His work is characterized by human touch. With his intimate and interactive style, Carbone generates personal and heartwarming images of people in their natural environment. Since 2000, in Oaxaca, Mexico, he has documented the day-to-day life of the Lopez family, pepenadores (literally "sorters") who struggle to survive by scavenging plastic bottles in a garbage dump. He is currently collecting the photos for an upcoming book.
In late 2005, Carbone journeyed to Afghanistan where he documented the country's malnourished women and children, and a remarkable effort to save their lives. His work continues with a chain of newspapers and magazines in Los Angeles. In every picture, Carbone uses composition to interpret reality and capture it in an image that resonates with his audience. "Every time I shoot I try to create an instant connection," Carbone said. "I like to get close to people. When I'm right next to them, there's a connection. They trust me, and that's how I can build a really true image of their humanity."