Born in Fiuminata, Macerata, Barboni started his career working as a cameraman for Fox Movietone and Paramount newsreels.

[1] He later worked as a cinematographer for documentaries, and in 1942 he made his feature film debut with La fanciulla dell'altra riva.

[1] After the war Barboni started a critical acclaimed collaboration with the director Pietro Germi and with the set designer Carlo Egidi.

[1] His style was characterized by the proliferation of small light sources, a great attention to detail and by the use of 'deep focus' shots.

[1] He was the elder brother of the cinematographer and director Enzo Barboni.