by Gordon Nary
Gordon: What initially interested you in being a photographer?
Dino: I received my first camera for Christmas while finishing my BS degree. I had decided to continue college and was working toward an MS degree in Sports Medicine. I was doing volunteer work at the local hospital and met a medical photographer who was working specifically with two Ophthalmological MD Specialists doing angiograms of the Retina. He kind of took me under his wing, and soon I was working part-time in the practice helping to find cancer and other diseases of the eyes. I have evolved into more of an artist, and although I am true to my original images, many involve other methods of artistic impression.
Gordon: Where did you study photography?
Dino: I graduated with a BS degree from the University of Tennessee, and graduated with a BA degree from the world-renowned College of Photography, Brooks Institute of Santa Barbara, California.
Gordon: How do you select the subjects that you photograph?
Dino: After a long career in commercial photography, which I still maintain…I went to find my heritage in my homeland of Italy in 2012 for the first time. I spent one month traveling the beautiful countryside and never realized until I got home in Atlanta, that 70% of my images were religious. My eye was drawn to the historic beauty I found in the Basilica and countryside of Italy. I am attracted to the spiritual essence of the light that draws me into the image.
Gordon: What impact has your Italian heritage had upon your photography?
Dino: My Italian and Catholic heritage are synergistic to all that I capture and create artistically. I can feel the presence of all the Saints and family who came before me.
Gordon: How can spirituality be a component of photography?
Dino: Spirituality seems to be intrinsic to me, as it is part of my being and interwoven into everything I see. God made all and it makes no difference if man has interjected as God is in control of their hands, eyes, and souls. He guides and directs me in all my images.
Gordon: The best way of introducing our readers to you work is to have them link to your website, Can you estimate how many photographs you have taken?
Dino: My website is: www.dinocarbetta.com I have only been to Italy twice in my life, that last was my first Pilgrimage I led in 2019. I have only spent a total of 6 weeks in Italy and taken about 10,000 images there to date.
Gordon: Do you concur with James Nachtwey when he said "The strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity? Is so, / could you reflect on this perception?
Dino: James was a great Photojournalist and as such, finding the drama especially in the faces of his subjects is paramount. His human faces had to portray the sense of survival during extreme circumstances. My artwork is more of a cross between realism, historical, and the spiritual essence of what I see and try to portray to the viewer. The spirituality of my final image is most important to me. I am looking to touch others in an uplifting way, to lead them in a direction… a path toward heaven.
Gordon: To what parish do your belong and what do you find most rewarding about the parish?
Dino: My home parish is The Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. I also attend other parishes closer to home. The Cathedral has every ministry available and draws parishioners from all over the city. I love and enjoy the reverence and history of the church, and of course the people.
Gordon: What advice would you give someone who may be interested in a career in photography?
Dino: Today with every mobile phone as a camera, and social media full of images, everyone believes they are a photographer. I would recommend someone interested in photography finding a college teaching all the basics and history. At Brooks Institute we began with 4x5 film cameras and learned every aspect of photography. I feel this is import to know all the methods before evoking a career just snapping what you see. Learn everything you can, and then go out and be creative.
Gordon: Thank you for a great interview.