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)

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