Photographer N. R. Farbman. (Photo by Harry Redl/The LIFE Images Collection)

Photographer N. R. Farbman. (Photo by Harry Redl/The LIFE Images Collection)

N.R. Farbman (1907-1988) began working as a freelance photographer while studying electrical engineering at the University of Santa Clara. During his 15 years as a LIFE staffer, “Nat” was considered one of its most versatile practitioners, covering stories in the US and extensively abroad. His work on tribes in Botswana was included in the Museum of Modern Art’s Family of Man exhibit. After he married the former fashion model and photographer Pat English in 1940, they became a husband-and-wife photographic team for the magazine.

Adapted from The Great LIFE Photographers

Bushman children sitting around their chief as he acts out a story, southern Kalahari Desert in central-southern Africa. (Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Bushman children sitting around their chief as he acts out a story, southern Kalahari Desert in central-southern Africa. (Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Two boys sitting on doorstep. (Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Two boys sitting on doorstep. (Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Bushman children playing games on sand dunes.(Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Bushman children playing games on sand dunes. (Photo by N.R. Farbman/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

More Like This

Balinese farmer herding his flock of ducks through a field. (Photo by Co Rentmeester/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Co Rentmeester

Rock group The Doors performing at the Fillmore East. (Photo by Yale Joel/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Yale Joel

Elvis and Priscilla leave the house he and his family occupied in Bad Nauheim, Germany. (Photo by James Whitmore/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

James Whitmore

Closeup of beautifully weathered hands of Navajo woman modeling turquoise bracelet & ring made by Native Americans. (Photo by Michael Mauney/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Michael Mauney

Wide-angle photo of the floor at the Democratic convention with John F. Kennedy supporters.(Photo by Ralph Crane/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Ralph Crane

Crowd of 10,000 at America First Committee rally. (Photo by William C. Shrout/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

William C. Shrout