"Photographer Dave Sagarin is a tall, imposing figure with flowing white hair, but with an engaging smile and twinkling eyes. He looks every inch of an artist; his breezy demeanor and subtle character show it.

With 30 years of experience in photography, Sagarin states that his commercial work is primarily architectural. But in all his work, whether it is an architectural detail, residential interior, fine art pieces, a commercial building or a vast panorama of UVA, his work shows sharp contrasts, vivid colors and spectacular angles.

“I love the challenge of making ‘signature’ photographs, showing a place in a way that is new and memorable,” he said. “My self-expression usually has a ‘documentary’ purpose, to communicate a personal view of people and places that helps people see in a new or different way.”

Sagarin’s working on a project called “Small Views of Fluvanna County.” There was a show at the Community Center two years ago where Sagarin exhibited some of these photos and many of them are on his website, www.sagarinphotography.com.

His photo of the batteaux festival in Scottsville captures the essence of what it must have been like on the James River and one of the few to feature nature and people. It almost looked like a beautiful oil painting, but one is reminded it is a photograph.

Sagarin was in his early twenties and living in New York when touring the local museums sparked his interest in photography.

“I happened to learn of a gallery showing photography, the Heliography Gallery, and loved what I saw. I became a volunteer there, and borrowed a camera to try it. I particularly appreciated the combination of personal artistic expression with physics, chemistry, optics, math and meeting interesting people. So I thought I would see if there was somewhere I could fit in to that world,” he said.

When he decided to try to make a career of photography, he worked as an assistant to Simpson Kalisher, a photojournalist and annual report photographer, since he thought this was the kind of work he wanted.

“This was New York City in the late '60s and this kind of photography was enormously popular,” explained Dave.

Later Sagarin became an assistant in a large commercial studio to learn more about the technical side of lighting, organization and large-format photography.

Sagarin still uses a 35mm, medium and large format conventional (film) cameras, as well as a small digital camera. He points out that however the photos are originated, all image processing and printing is done digitally.

“I think that film is still superior for most subjects, especially for conveying the quality of light and tonality. But the enormous degree of control and the ease of handling digital images makes it necessary to work this way.”

Color or black and white is as important an element of photography as is lighting.

“For me there are some subjects that just want to be displayed in black and white, and some in color. I actually see things in this way–looking at a scene, I always try to visualize the final product, whether it will be a big, framed print or printed in a book or will wind up as a teeny image for the Internet,” he said.

When asked if the photographers would ever join forces with the Fluvanna Art Association or maintain their own separate identity, Sagarin said, “I think that the experience of looking at photographs is a little different from looking at watercolors, prints or oils, and it will be if people are educated to see each kind of thing differently. I'd like to see more photography displayed here.”

Sagarin helps Fluvanna County Parks & Recreation organize the annual Fluvanna Photography competition each year. He maintains a very strong interest in other visual arts, but as a spectator, not a creator.

Sagarin added that it is important for people to gain some literacy by learning more about the history of fine-art photography.

“It will enhance their experience when looking at pictures wherever they are found,” he said." (Page H. Gifford, The Fluvanna Review, February 15, 2007)