Lou Reed, Transformer, 1972

The print captures that whole 1972 Transformer vibe perfectly, and the contrast on the photo paper makes Lou’s expression really pop. It’s been up on my wall for a week and I keep catching myself staring at it.

The way Mick Rock caught Lou’s intensity here is unreal—you can almost feel the cigarette smoke and hear the needle dropping on Transformer. The matte finish on the photo keeps it from looking glossy or cheap, and it’s already the centerpiece of my living room wall.

The grain on this black-and-white print gives it that raw 1972 energy, like you’re standing in the studio with him. It’s framed on my wall now, and the way the shadows play across his face still stops me every time I walk past.