Charlie Hilton (Blouse)

Musicians are often in the spotlights: literally when they are performing on stage, but also metaphorically through the attention of fans, journalists and photographers. This photograph of Charlie Hilton, known from the alternative rock band Blouse, was made by photographer Miranda Lehman as part of a series of portraits of the singer. Does anything strike you about the lighting in this photograph? In the intimate setting of a bedroom, Lehman chooses to apply a bright clear studio light. The vivid light is reflected strongly by the yellow satin textile of Hilton’s attire and casts a dark shadow on the wall behind, so that the photo seems overexposed. Miranda Lehman likes to play with light and dark and to add mysterious elements to her photographs. Her work was on display as part of Music &Foam, an exhibition created in collaboration with the Amsterdam music magazine Subbacultcha. Music &Foam was the second exhibition in a series in which Foam explored the overlap between photography and other artistic media.