Isa as Ingrid

After working on some head-shots to send to Isa, now that she's back in India for a while, I discovered this shot which reminded me of Ingrid Bergman.

In a Blink

A good subject is also a good method actor. She can change moods in a blink. After working with Isa, I realized that a true actress is born with the ability to eliminate self-doubt while tapping into inner resources. The way the photographed is processed should enhance the emotional composition.

Audrey or Brigette?

Classic in all respects, a black and white photograph can set the mood, if appropriately balanced. Timelessness is created by using more than just the media, the subject matter is equally important as well as the setting, the lighting and the contrast.

Isa in Technicolor

Technology today is both daunting and exhilarating for photographers. Every day there's a new i-phone app that changes the face of instant shots. And while I am excited by these apps, they do have their limitations especially size.

In the wake of experimenting with many of these filters, I have taken my Photoshop plug-ins for a joy ride, experimenting with different kinds of virtual films in both color and black and white.

In this shot, I used an early film process called two strip Technicolor to give the image a sense of old Hollywood film.
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Playing with Color

I am choosing images for the book, "Isa". I am inclined to publish the entire book in black and white, but there are images that just beckon for color. This is one of them.

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.