©Stina Lindenblatt
Normally, when I do a writing/photography post, I can write about one idea and apply it to both crafts. Not this time.
Writers:
Contrasts are a great way to add dimension to your character and increase conflict, both internally and externally. The interplay between the light (good) side and the shadow will make the character unique from the other characters in your story. Maybe she’s smart and witty, but she fears being betrayed by someone emotionally close to her [insert backstory here]. Can you imagine the conflict (both internally and externally) this can cause if she attract the attention of the hero who is turned on by smart and witty?
Do you develop the light and shadow sides of your characters to make them dimensional and add conflict to your stories?
Photography:
The interplay between a dark background and a single light source on your subject makes for great dimensional photos. However, by the nature of the camera design, the picture might not come out as you had intended. Because the light meter in the camera is designed to assume the average gray scale of the scene is 18 % (don’t worry if you don’t know what that means), a scene composed mostly of dark colors will end up looking much lighter than in reality.
There are several ways to avoid this:
- Use an external light meter.
- You can place the palm of your hand between the scene and the camera lens. This only works if the skin on your palm is not dark. I did this method for the above photo because the battery for my external light meter was dead. *face palm*
- If your camera has a spot meter, determine the exposure based on part of the scene that doesn’t fall in the two extremes.
- Adjust the exposure with a photo editing software.
For the first two, you want to make sure you measure the light that falls on the subject. For example, if you subject is in the sunlight but your hand is in the shadow, your photo will come out overexposed.
34 comments:
I must admit that when I started writing I wanted my characters to be too perfect and have no shadows. I learned the hard way that this doesn't make for interesting characters. They need those flaws. Thanks for sharing this.
No questions. You explained that well. I love the photo. Very Nice.
LOVE that photo!!!!! Yes the shadows are so important, aren't they?
Those light and dark shadows of characters are one of the reasons I love to write. Developing multi-sided characters is like getting a private license to explore and experiment with the human psyche.
Hey,
That was an awesome pic, (even if I did get lost in the techie camera taking picutures stuff:)
Wow... you gots some talent, lady :)
Hah, what you said about your heroine being smart and witty, but scared of being betrayed, is exactly the story I just wrote!!! Are you reading my mind? Or maybe my books? Great post as always.
Yeah it's always good to put that development in there to give them that much more depth. Great pic too.
As you know, Stina, I love the parallels between photographs and writing, and life itself. Those variations in light and dark communicate so much, and so effectively, in writing and images.
Excellent photo tip! And yes, I know what 18% means.
Beautiful photo! And what a great comparison. Your mind is so creative, I want to jump in and swim around for awhile! May I? And yes...characters need dimension, flaws. They can't be perfect. Perfect is boring.
That photo is gorgeous! And I'm always more interested in characters with some kind of contrast playing out in them. Great point.
Lovely analogy and gorgeous pic too! Thanks Linda! Take care
x
The light and shadow of a character is definitely important to think about when developing your story! Great tips, Stina.
I love contrasts whether it has to do with the characters or setting or imagery. It add so much to writing.
It's certainly a hard balance. I mean some flaws are easy and fit well, but to me those tend to be 'flaws' that I see as positives (rebelliousness or snarkiness). When I instill real darkness, I have trouble getting enough light in there.
As for the photography... I am skill-less. Totally and utterly. My daughter can do it though.
Nice post, Stina. Depth is so important and, as you pointed out, you get that with lighting and shadows.
So very cool--I love that picture. I forget sometimes what a great photographer you are. As for the light-dark in characters, oh, yes. That's the most fun, IMO. But it must be done carefully--like your photos~ :o) <3
Love the picture! And how true- are characters should be filled with light and shadow. Thanks for the reminder!
Love the picture! At first glance it looks, to me, like a red crane, his head bowing
I don't think I did this very well in my first book, but I'm trying to add it to my second.
Love the picture. Beautiful.
As for those shady characters, I think a character isn't very fun to write about if they don't have some interesting flaw!
I wish I could take great pictures like you do. The picture is beautiful.
That picture is exquisite. You're so talented, Stina. I wish I could photograph like that. :)
Thanks for the tips, although photograph is not my specialty. Cool image though!
Okay, I didn't understand any of the photography part, but I loved the picture. (Even if I did think it was a bird with a long beak to start with) :-)
Great photo and advice!! It is very important to remember to contrast our characters. It helps to enrich their world.
I really like the idea of looking at the dark side of a character and bringing it out to add dimension. I think sometimes writers avoid this because they want their protagonists to be likeable, but sometimes the greatest growth and character strength comes from showing the shadow side and confronting those darker aspects.
Ange
I love contrasts. And I love this photo :)
That photo is really outstanding.
Wow, that sounds complicated! I can see it really works, though - that photo is gorgeous!
That's a stunning photo.
In my current wip the MC has a huge contrast in two areas of her life, and I loved writing those parts and adding layers to her character.
I think you explain clearly how contrast is easier to use on our characters than in photography.
That is a gorgeous photo. And what a wonderful way to illustrate contrasts.
I love contrast, both in artwork and writing. Your photograph is amazing! It literally stopped my in my tracks (Google Reader)! just stunning.
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