My brain operates in a weird, circular way. Playing word association with me would make psychiatrists cry.
Case in point: I’m planning my trip to Paris, so have had all things Paris & French on the brain at the moment. Paris makes me think of Les Miserables (both the book and the musical, but in this case, we’ll focus on the musical). This sends me to iTunes to listen to the soundtrack. The soundtrack makes me want to watch it. Hello Youtube! I watch the 10th Anniversary cast. Then I move on to the 25th Anniversary concert. I cry. I get goosebumps. I discover Alfie Boe. This sends me to Amazon where I download his new album, “Bring Him Home.” This sends me into blissful delight as I play it over and over. I start YouTube-ing like mad. I find Alfie Boe singing Christmas songs in a church. I start thinking of Christmas. I start thinking of Christmas trees. I start thinking of Christmas trees that can sing like Alfie Boe. I decide to take a break. I come back from my break to the same YouTube video of him singing in a church. The church reminds me of the Sainte Chapelle that I plan to see in Paris. I’m getting excited for Paris. I once again go back to planning my trip to Paris. I read about Victor Hugo. I want to visit his house. I’m in the mood to watch Les Miserables again.
There you have it. I am just a little nuts (but in the good way, like a DQ peanut buster parfait).
However, during my recently discovered Alfie Boe obsession (and now I will forever associate him with my first trip to Paris, which, my friends, is not a bad thing to be associated with) I found these INCREDIBLE publicity photographs, and I fell in LOVE with this photographer.
The sad thing is, I don’t know who the photographer IS! 😦 I can’t find the photo credits anywhere! If someone can, please let me know, because I need to be their friend (plus, I need to put their name here). The lighting in these portraits is GORGEOUS! Theatrical, but subtle. Just enough background to allude to the theater, while still keeping the subject as the main focus. The costuming is perfect–adding to the character without overwhelming him. Sorry. I’ll stop gushing now and let you see for yourselves!
Besides, YouTube is calling for me again…
***UPDDATE: Thanks to a reader, Fin, I now know the photographer! His name is Ray Burmiston. His website can be found here: www.rayburmiston.com I just followed him on Twitter. 🙂 Thanks, so much Fin!
The staging of this is beyond brilliant: putting the actor in the balcony for a change. Plus the pose is just so languid and reposed.
The use of light and shadows is BRILLIANT. Also, love the expression that was captured here.
I love the detail of him playing with his cuffs, and the shadow in the background... so atmospheric!
Gatsby Nouvel Travel Photography 