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, Calif. 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.
For the past eight years Carbone has studied under Mary Ellen Mark, a world-renown
documentary photographer. The two started working together at Rockport
College in Maine and have continued at Pacific Center Northwest in Seattle
and El Centro Fotografico Manuel Alvarez Bravo Center in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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, 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 and San Bernardino Counties. 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.”
Education:
1997 Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from California State University,
Los Angeles.
2001 Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Rockport College, Maine.
2005-present documentary photography classes with Mark, through Pacific
Center Northwest, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Work has Appeared:
Pasadena Weekly, Spaces Magazine, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, Los Angeles Times,
New York Times, Rolling Stone, L.A. Weekly, Ohio State University Alumni
magazine, KoreAm Journal, San Bernardino County SUN, Inland Valley dailybulletin