RIP Nathan Farb: Boomer Shooter Captured Hippies, Commies, and Rocks
The dude who snapped pics of flower children, Soviet Siberians, and scenic mountains kicked the bucket.
Another one bites the dust. Nathan Farb, an 85-year-old shutterbug who apparently pointed his lens at everything from tie-dye-clad hippies to those poor saps living under Soviet rule in Siberia and some rocks up in the Adirondacks, has shuffled off this mortal coil.
So, the guy was there for the Summer of Love. Remember that? When everyone thought dropping acid and strumming guitars would solve all the world's problems? Farb was there to document it. Probably got high himself a few times, who knows? But hey, at least he got some pictures out of it before the whole thing devolved into Charles Manson and a bad hangover.
Then he went to Siberia. Under Soviet rule. Talk about a buzzkill. Imagine going from free love and flower power to breadlines and the KGB. Yikes. You gotta wonder what kind of perspective that gave him. Probably realized that maybe America wasn't so bad after all, even with all the hippies running around.
And then, the Adirondacks. Rocks. Trees. Water. You know, nature. Probably a nice change of pace from the commie gloom of Siberia and the patchouli stink of Haight-Ashbury. Good for him, getting back to basics.
Honestly, the whole thing sounds like a fever dream. Hippies, Soviets, and mountains. What a wild ride. Rest in peace, Farb. You took some pictures. Some of them were probably even good.
He experienced first hand the shift from the Summer of Love to Soviet Siberia, likely giving him a unique perspective on the values and societal structures of each place. He seemed to seek refuge in the Adirondacks after his experiences with counterculture and communism.
His photographs from the Summer of Love highlight the naive optimism and, for some, hypocrisy of counterculture. By documenting Siberia under Soviet rule, he showcased the failures of communism in the USSR. His photographs from the Adirondack Mountains showcase a return to traditional values of wilderness and nature.
His lens showcased many people's views of that time, including the naivete of the counterculture and the horror of Soviet Russia. Farb's diverse subjects, ranging from hippies to communists to rocks, reflect a range of historical, cultural, and geographical insights. His photographic legacy will continue to be felt through the images he created. His ability to capture diverse subjects showcases his versatility as an artist.
So long, Farb. Maybe now you're up there snapping pictures of God, or whatever. Just don't forget to charge your camera.


