Capturing 36 Years on Campus

In 1969 Kalman Zabarsky stepped out of his scarlet Boston University graduation gown, and, armed with a painting degree and self-taught knowledge of black and white film printing, walked into the university’s Office of Photo Services.

He never left.

Thirty-six years later, he shoots pictures of the university community – only now he works from his own office decorated by photographs spanning almost four decades. Now, he edits photographs on Photoshop rather than in a darkroom and shoots digital images instead of capturing faces on film.

Zabarsky has witnessed BU’s transformation from commuter school to an expansive, prestigious university through the glass of his camera lens. He’s observed the impact of numerous national and worldwide events on the campus, but takes pride in his photographs depicting the simpler aspects of college life.

“I’m not so much a photojournalist,” Zabarsky says, while cropping a photo of smiling Medical School students. “I’m not driven by news. I like my job because I can portray people during an exciting time in their lives when they are figuring out who they are and where they fit in on this planet.”

The self-described “visual illustrator” relies on his keen sense of observation to come up with fresh material for shots, but stresses that “there are discoveries to be made wherever you are.”

“People ask me how I find new subject matter on a campus that seems very similar on a day-by-day basis,” Zabarsky says. “The trick is, it only looks the same if you’re not really looking.”

While the aesthetics of BU have certainly changed since 1969, Zabarsky says his outlook on photography remains the same.

“I look at photography in a very personal way,” he says. “I don’t just sneak up and take a picture. I like talking to people and getting a glimpse into their lives rather than trying to see the big dynamic.”

CAPTURING COMMONWEALTH AVENUE

Because of his long tenure at BU, Zabarsky has seen the campus at some of its most exciting and tumultuous times. But the major historical events associated with the last 36 years were not necessarily the most appealing backdrops for his intimate photography.

“In his heart,” says BU Photo Services archivist Rick Young, “he’s an art photographer before an university photographer.”

When much of the BU student community erupted into demonstrations protesting the Vietnam War in the spring of 1970, finals were canceled and the graduating class lost their commencement ceremony. One year into his career, Zabarsky remembers the emotion on campus, but was not “compelled” to capture the events on film.

“Yes, it was a volatile and eerie time,” he says, “but because I’m not trained as a photojournalist I wasn’t looking for a story to take pictures of. I just took it all in – students were more vocal back then, it was more intense.”

A soft-spoken balding man with soft blue eyes, Zabarsky quickly refocuses on subject matter that has interested him, such as portraits, still lifes and a recent series concerning fall foliage.

“Just walking along the sidewalk, you’ll find leaves that print a colorful impression on the cement,” he says. “I really like looking at the smaller things other people don’t notice.”

Zabarsky’s colleagues at Photo Services describe him as “detail-oriented.” Larry Sawires Yager, who used to work in printing but now does photo-imaging, says he “can always tell a Kal Picture” because of the careful attention to details.

“He loves talking to people,” Sawires Yager says, describing his initial impression of Zabarsky as a “nice man who parted his hair over his bald spot and wore funny little hats.

“I’ve been here for 25 years and he really hasn’t changed much,” he continued.

Zabarsky’s work often appears on BU Today, the university’s online news source. Recently, the website displayed one of his artsy pictures: a view from the BU Bridge snapped at sunrise.

“I was there at the right time, under the right light with the right weather,” Zabarsky says proudly. “The sun was coming up and there was a biker, a rower and a runner – three different types of transportation.”

Zabarsky’s work offers insight into his clam, laid-back character. He says he rarely feels uncomfortable while taking pictures.

“A news photographer has it tougher in a way,” he says, “because they take pictures of people whose homes have burnt down, for example. They’re making a living off of portraying people’s anguish.”

Not to say Zabarsky hasn’t picked up a camera during difficult times. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was assigned to photograph reactions on campus after the terrorist attacks.

“9/11 was really tough – tough day and tough weeks and weeks after,” Zabarsky says. “Then as things transpired, finding out how personally it touched BU and people directly in the community.

“Usually when you’re behind a camera you can insulate yourself,” he added, “because you’re almost in a different world separated by glass. But this was scary. It’s hard to take pictures of people who are grieving.”

When the names of passengers lost on United Airlines flight 175 – which departed Logan Airport and struck the south World Trade Center tower – scrolled across his television screen, Zabarsky recognized someone he had shot photos of months earlier.

“It was striking,” he says, his tone becoming somber. “It was a young lady who had just graduated from BU – Lisa Frost. I recognized the name because she had gotten the Scarlet Key award.”

When he saw her name, Zabarsky searched through photo archives to see if he remembered the right person. And there she was, photographed with her “proud, happy” parents, staring back at him.

“When I saw that, I walked home in tears,” Zabarsky says. “At [the 2002 commencement] the university invited her family back, and I got to speak with them again. It was very tough. I have a child, and I can’t imagine that.”

Despite the tragedy he’s seen, Zabarsky mostly recalls changes ranging from the massive expansion of university property to an increased liberal attitude on campus.

“You people think you have it bad with the [guest policy],” he says, “but when I went here, there were no co-ed dorms.”

As a student at BU, Zabarsky remembers the men’s ice hockey team practicing off campus, since there was no home rink until 1971.

“You know you’re old when Walter Brown [Arena] is old news, and for me it was new and exciting.”

ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY

From his office at 25 Buick St., Zabarsky isn’t far from home. Then again, he’s never lived more than a short commute from campus.

Zabarsky grew up in a part of Brookline only five minutes away from Agganis Arena. Attending BU, he says, was an easy decision to make: The School for the Arts (now called The College of Fine Arts) could offer him a solid education in painting for free, since his mother was employed by the university.

Aside from a three-year stint living in Brighton, Zabarsky has called Brookline home all his life.

“I wasn’t really thinking about my future or leaving,” he says, “when I took the job [at Photo Services]. I just wanted to get my own apartment and pay for it myself.”

The job has certainly affected his life beyond the professional realm.

“In 1974, another photographer came on staff,” Zabarsky says. “She became my wife. We weren’t sure about the policy on inter-office relationships, so we had to keep it a secret at first.”

Zabarsky has taken photos for the five print publications that preceded BU Today.The technology for taking a photograph has changed dramatically over the years, but he says the instincts remain the same.

“You still have to find out where you need to be to get the shot you want,” he says, adding that digital photography gives him the opportunity to “double check” his work.

But Zabarsky says the complete digital takeover at Photo Services hasn’t all been positive.

“This digital revolution was a chance to sell [a digital camera] to you every two years because you need the latest hardware to run the latest software. I have a [film] camera from ’67 and it still works fine,” he says.

As for personal changes, Zabarsky says he’s always challenged himself to keep “seeing more, and in a different, unique way.”

“I have a pet theory that people are mirrors,” he says. “You’re bouncing off of me and I off you. Part of what I do is pulling something out of other people. Photography is like that.”

Zabarsky’s small-scale approach to photography seems to parallel his philosophical approach to life. When people question him about his 36-year career at the same place, he’s adamant in saying that BU is never boring.

“I’m met so many people – presidents, kings, celebrities,” he says. “It’s like traveling to the furthest corners of the globe without ever leaving Commonwealth Ave.”