Tampa photographer Dave Decker ponders the idea of progress in new show opening this week

The Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor is looking for the shot outside of the shot.

click to enlarge Dave Decker (L) and James Luedde at The Hub in Tampa, Florida on March 9, 2024. - Photo by Dave Decker
Photo by Dave Decker
Dave Decker (L) and James Luedde at The Hub in Tampa, Florida on March 9, 2024.
Since 2019, Tampa Bay photographer Dave Decker has lent his vision, literally, to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers.

MAGA moms have hit him on the head with megaphones, he’s been threatened by Proud Boys, and he’s also fixed his gaze on the president, plus hordes of local bands, artists, and activists all in pursuit of showing us the world as he experiences it. His work’s been on cable news (Fox News, MSNBC) and graced the pages of the New Yorker, New York Times and more.

Still, there’s so much that we haven’t seen, and all month in Seminole Heights, Decker shares more of how he sees our community through his eyes. Say what’s up, and take home a slice of the enthusiasm he brings to our shop during an artist reception.

“I’m trying to focus on the shot outside of the shot,” Decker told CL about his work that doesn’t have a person in the frame. “A lot of times I am looking at the juxtaposition of gentrification and progress—there’s a lot of movement in these photos, it’s what people call ‘progress,’ but I don’t really know if we’re doing it in an ethical, sustainable way for our community. I’m just looking for answers to my questions.”

There’s no cover for the monthly artist reception with Dave Decker on Thursday, April 25 at Independent Bar & Cafe in Tampa. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

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Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...
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