Meet James David Tabor of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to James David Tabor

Hi James David, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The 3 years I’ve getting back into analog photography and have put out 4 photos zines in the last two or so years as well as refining my skills in traditional darkroom printing. During the pandemic I turned back to photography as something to fill my time. I got a lot of comfort out of it. I started off shooting digital but after a year I went down a rabbit hole and re-learned how to shoot film. I had taken photo in high school and in college in the 90’s when it was all film so I had a background in it, but it had been around 15 years since I used it.

After a while I started making my own books. I had made more then a few zines of mine and others poetry back when I was active in the poetry slam community. I started an Etsy page and I’m tabling where I can.

My day job is bell making of all things over at Cosanti Originals in Paradise Valley. There actually is some over lap between the two processes. I am the staff photographer for Cosanti and shoot digital for them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a mixed bag actually. I think for a lot of artists there is getting over the hump of finally putting out a finished piece of work. Having enough courage to say not only should other people see this, but that something is done. When in practice it is a lot more pruning a tree. We are cutting old limbs to encourage new growth. I think realistically it took me 15 years to finally put out my first zine of my photos. That was all mental gymnastics. I’ve made four zines in 2024 after taking so long to make the first one. After I got the feel of how to only make the product but to get them into peoples hands. There can be a lot of trepidation about will people even buy my work. Once that bridge is crossed it is much easier to create.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a knack for finding beauty in the real world and capturing photos of things right under our nose. I do use an LED light when I shoot but for the most part I take photos of things as is. Also my usage of analog technology in a digital world. Not anti-digital, but more of an embrace of older methods. All good photos take time. The artist just has to pick where they spend it.

Right now I would say my proudest work is a tie between my book with Lisa Tang Liu of our work together and my individual prints I make in my darkroom at home. The book was the most time I’ve spent on a published work and there was a lot more editing and compromise than I’ve had before. With my darkroom prints it is very satisfying to have a traditional print made without using a computer and say “Yes, this is it. This is exactly what I want people to see.”

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would honestly say perspective helps. It was much harder to zoom out when I was young. Over time I’ve been able to see that failure is a part of the growth process and learning from mistakes is part of the process. I think in my 20’s I was deterred easily by adversity. There is a rush about learning something new and taking something on, but there is a crash into the humble valley and start to doubt if I’m any good at things or if that is just the jolt from taking something new on wearing off.

Pricing:

• $6-20 for books
• $150 for handprinted originals

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dumpsterflower.wixsite.com/dumpsterflower
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dumpster_flower/

Image Credits
The bio photo was taken by Lauren Perry
James David Tabor