Congratulations! Lisa Tang Liu and J. David Tabor Winners of Shadow & Light

Sunset Landscape © Lisa Tang Liu and J. David Tabor

Lisa Tang Liu in Boston and J. David Tabor in Phoenix, began to collaborate in analog film swaps during the Covid pandemic. Each photographer exposes a roll of film then mails it to the other who then exposes the same roll of film. They have accepted the challenges of uncertainty, and singular control and now embrace the chaos.

AZPA: How did you get started in photography?

Dave: I started very young. My first camera was a 110-film camera that fit on a keychain. My mom got me an SLR in high school after seeing how much I loved it. I was a lab rat in high school and thanks to my love of journalism I developed a good discipline of shooting and developing in a short time span.

Lisa: I started getting serious about photography around 1999. I bought a Nikon N60 and caught the shutterbug. I then took photography classes (darkroom training included) at the now-defunct New England School Photography in Boston, and eventually became a wedding photographer (using all film at first).

AZPA: What are your thoughts on the Theme Gallery for AZPA?

Dave: It’s kind of funny to me. I took a few classes at Mesa Community College and was a student of Bob Galloway’s. He really made an impression on me that photography isn’t just about taking a picture of an object. It is a record of shadow, light, time and hopefully purpose. It was nice to have two things in this theme I strive to capture.

Lisa: I think the AZPA Theme Gallery is a fabulous idea. As an out-of-state member, I can show my work online and it’s accessible on so many levels. It’s a wonderful benefit that AZPA offers. “Shadow and Light” is one of my favorite themes.

AZPA: What was your process in selecting your image(s) for “Shadow and Light?”

Dave: Lisa and I had really hit our stride by this roll of film. We had 11 rolls in total. This just happened to be a favorite of ours that matched the theme.

Lisa: This was Dave’s decision, mainly, since he’s in Arizona. This image has been well received when we submitted it to other shows as well.

AZPA: What are your thoughts on being the winner for the first theme?

Dave: It is super cool to win. For me, contest entries help get the work seen by more people. It’s nice to be acknowledged by your peers as well.

Lisa: It’s a tremendous surprise and an incredible honor. Huge thanks to juror David B. Moore, who is a master in shadow and light. And thank you, AZPA, for the opportunity!