Patricia M. Caulfield Obituary

In loving memory, we celebrate the life and legacy of Patricia M. Caufield (New York, New York), who passed away on July 16, 2023 at the age of 91.

Photographer, magazine editor, environmentalist, explorer, and life-long lover of all animals, especially dogs.

Pat, as she was known by family and friends, was a woman whose journey through life touched the hearts of many. Pat's passion for photography was ignited during her days at the University of Rochester, where she discovered the beauty of capturing moments through her camera lens. In 1953 while working for the George Eastman Museum's educational program, Pat starred in a television show in which Beaumont Newhall, photography and art world legend, taught her photography.

After her studies, Pat immersed herself in the world of art and moved to San Francisco. In the late 1950s, she moved to New York City and worked in a camera store. Pat's perseverance and dedication to the medium led to an entry-level position as a secretary at Modern Photography, where she advanced over ten years to editorial assistant, assistant editor, picture editor, managing editor and finally executive editor. Along this path, she shared her technical expertise and advice with aspiring photographers everywhere. During her time at Modern Photography, Pat also had many photographs published in the magazine.

One of her most famous photographs was of hibiscus blossoms in an arrangement taken at a Barbados restaurant. Some of those photos were used in the June 1964 issue of Modern Photography to illustrate an article on a new Kodak home color processing system. Andy Warhol used one of her photos, torn from the pages of the magazine, as the basis for his renowned Flowers series. When Pat found out that he had used her photograph without her authorization, she sued him. In 1966, the suit was settled out of court in her favor.

But Pat's journey didn't stop with her accomplishments in the world of photography. Inspired by the work of Eliot Porter, as well as friends Ansel Adams and Aaron Siskind, she embarked on a new adventure as an environmentalist, an advocate for the preservation of nature's wonders. Through her lens, she captured the breathtaking beauty of the natural world, bringing to life the splendor of untamed landscapes. Pat's dedication was most evident in her passionate advocacy for the preservation of the Everglades. Her archives are at the University of Texas.

Pat traveled the world from Machu Picchu to Angkor Wat to the Taj Mahal taking photographs of ancient civilizations long before they were heavily visited tourist destinations. Her love of travel and experiencing new adventures was passed down to her nieces.

Pat wrote many books over the years covering a range of topics: Complete Guide to Kodachrome II, Beginner's Guide to Better Pictures, Sierra Club: The Everglades, Photographing Wildlife, and Capturing the Landscape with Your Camera.

Let us remember Patricia Caulfield with love, gratitude, and admiration for the indelible mark she left on the world through her art, compassion, and tireless efforts to protect the natural wonders of our planet. May her spirit find eternal peace in the embrace of the very nature she cherished so dearly.