Ghost Light
In a series of iconic photographs featuring San Francisco Bay Area actors, photojournalist David M. Allen celebrates the rich traditions of the San Francisco Bay Area theatre community and his satisfying professional life photographing theatrical performances over the last twenty-five years. The portraits were captured during the last eight years.
Allen created the series to illustrate the diverse spectrum of personalities, artistic freedom and individuality of Bay Area actors. The portraits were developed in collaboration with each actor. They reflect Allen’s enduring love for the theatre and the people who bring it to life.
The concept of the project came from the photographer Irving Penn’s forced perspective studio style. The actors are isolated by the wedge-shaped background upon which they have a small stage to portray themselves in a different light. The free-floating display is inspired by the stage curtain itself.
Like the ghost light that illuminates the darkened stage after a performance to ward off evil spirits, the portraits used a single light source to illuminate each actor’s sense of humor, drama and self.
Ghost Light
Charles Dean
Ghost Light
Maureen McVerry
Ghost Light
Dan Hiatt
Ghost Light
Michael Gene Sullivan and Velina Brown
Ghost Light
Alison Sacha Ross
Ghost Light
Joan Mankin
Ghost Light
Barbara Oliver
Ghost Light
Aldo Billingslea
Ghost Light
James Carpenter and Julian Lopez-Morillas
Ghost Light
L. Peter Callender and Brandon
Ghost Light
Nora el Samahy
Ghost Light
Madeline H. D. Brown
Ghost Light
Carrie Paff
Stacy Ross
Josh Kornbluth
Charlie Varon
Joy Carlin, Howard Swain and Nancy Carlin
Russell Blackwood
Joe Bellan
'Ghost Light'
Portraits of Bay Area stage actors at Z Space, SF,CA March 2018. (c) 2018 DavidAllenStudio.com
SF Chronicle feature on 'Ghost Light'
Ghost Light Exhibit
In a series of iconic photographs featuring San Francisco Bay Area actors, photojournalist David M. Allen celebrates the rich traditions of the San Francisco Bay Area theatre community and his satisfying professional life photographing theatrical performances over the last twenty-five years. The portraits were captured during the last eight years.
Allen created the series to illustrate the diverse spectrum of personalities, artistic freedom and individuality of Bay Area actors. The portraits were developed in collaboration with each actor. They reflect Allen’s enduring love for the theatre and the people who bring it to life.
The concept of the project came from the photographer Irving Penn’s forced perspective studio style. The actors are isolated by the wedge-shaped background upon which they have a small stage to portray themselves in a different light. The free-floating display is inspired by the stage curtain itself.
Like the ghost light that illuminates the darkened stage after a performance to ward off evil spirits, the portraits used a single light source to illuminate each actor’s sense of humor, drama and self.