Elsa Lanchester

This project has taken my visual memory into deep corners. When I was finished with processing this image and saw the light reflecting off of Isa's face and front part of her hair, the name Elsa popped into my brain. How in the world could I remember such an esoteric pixel of information and yet it was there--Elsa Lanchester (although I remember it more like Ilsa Lancaster).

There is a promo image for "Bride of Frankenstein" where the light hit's Elsa's face similar to this one of Isa, and there is a white shock of hair streaking up into the light.

My memory of this image is more flattering than the image itself, as Elsa Lanchester was not as simply beautiful as Isa, but images have that effect on us.

Of all the Frankenstein movies, “Bride of Frankenstein” was the most compassionate treatment of the characters and I have a sweet place in my heart for the monster in this film.

Classic Modern Elegance

Sometimes we acquire things we feel we need to have. Although I am a minimalist at heart, there are some items I don't skimp on. Stunning fabric is one of those items.

During this shoot, we used a gown that I've had for over a year (and never worn) and a piece of burned out silk that I purchased in one of my favorite fabric stores in San Francisco.

Cameo Girl

Amazingly, within seconds, the way the light hits a subject and the way the subject behaves in the light creates a unique mood. Isa is capable of switching between a classic elegance to a playful modern girl in one balettic movement. Her understanding of the moment is innate.

Young Elizabeth Taylor

Depending upon setting, lighting, processing, a classic beauty transforms into other classic beauties. Every day I work on the thousands of images we took over the three-day shoot, I find another image, Ingrid Bergman, Isabella Rosallini, Elizabeth Taylor. I am sure to find Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Heyburn.

Yet, when I find these hidden personae, I discover the original beauty pales in comparison, somehow to Isa's untainted beauty. Isa is my muse, my alter ego, the object of my photographical exploration experimenting with filters and light, grain and vignettes to achieve a mood coherent with the image she reveals to me.

Isa as Brigitte

Audrey

Isa has grace like nobody I've ever photographed before. Three shoots and over 3000 images later, we have Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Onassis, Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, Avadon's images of Twiggy, Lewis Carol's Alice and Judy Garland as Dorothy, to name a few.

Poised with grace, Isa has been blessed with the rare quality of being classically beautiful without being egocentric or self-conscious. She is bright, creative and intelligent; articulate, focused and charmed.

Together we explore the concept of lasting beauty, without the shackles of contemporary trends. She has no tatoos, wears a delicate nose ring--she is from India, after all--and can wear a pair of ripped tights with a tu tu as if it were an evening gown. Hair brushed or not, voluptuous red lips or no make-up at all, she is arresting.

Broom

Broom
Originally uploaded by wiggygirl2

Another of the over 1500 shots taken in the photo shoot last week with Isa and Rochan.

Sepia Princess

Sepia_Princess
Originally uploaded by wiggygirl2

Isa