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

Ballerinas at George Balanchine's American School of Ballet gathered around accompanist during rehearsal. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Alfred Eisenstaedt

Giant sable antelopes roaming the Luanda game preserve. (Photo by Carlo Bavagnoli/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

Carlo Bavagnoli

State trooper holding burnt cap of a guard taken hostage during riot at Attica State prison. (Photo by John Shearer/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

John Shearer

Inside a cell at the notorious Breendonk Nazi prison camp, a former Flemish SS guard is imprisoned after overthrow of German forces. (Photo by George Rodger/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

George Rodger

People walking along the shore of Hydra, Greece. (Photo by James Burke/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

James Burke

"False sunset" during the Blitz, with Tower Bridge silhouetted against burning docks, London, 1940. (Photo by William Vandivert/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation) Photographer

William Vandivert