Nathan Farb, Photographer of Remote America, Dies at 85

Nathan Farb, a photographer who spent decades documenting the overlooked corners and people of the United States, has died at 85. His work captured a unique portrait of America. He was best known for his intimate studies of life in New York's remote Adirondack Mountains and the stark landscapes of Alaska. Farb's approach was direct and respectful. He often used a large-format camera. This technique created detailed portraits that revealed the dignity of his subjects. His photos of prison inmates, factory workers, and rural families are considered powerful historical records. He also pioneered the use of color photography as a serious artistic medium in the 1970s. At that time, most fine art photography was in black and white. Farb's photographs are held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His roving lens leaves behind a profound visual legacy of American life.