Tom Waits, Beacon Theatre, New York City, 1977

The way the lighting catches his expression in that 1977 Beacon Theatre shot is just hauntingly beautiful. I’ve had it up on my wall for a week and still find myself stopping to look at it every time I walk past.

The matte finish on this print really makes the stage smoke feel tangible, and the grain from the 1977 negative adds so much character to his silhouette. It arrived carefully rolled in a sturdy tube, which was a relief for such a large piece. I’ve already got it framed and it completely changes the

The light and shadow in this print really capture that raw, smoky energy of his early performances—it’s like you can hear the gravel in his voice. I’ve got it hung in my study, and it instantly sets the mood. The gloss finish on the paper makes the details pop without being distracting.