Yes, This Will Be On the Test

Writing, Reading, Laughing

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Designing a Character: Using Light-Direction

When you visualize a scene, reveal your characters with light.  Illuminating people differently will project their qualities.  In particular, changing the direction from where a light originates can model a figure in a variety of ways, each creating a unique specific effect.

FRONT LIGHT: Car headlights.  No secrets.  Let it all hang out.  Projects a huge shadow behind.  Character revealed.

BACK LIGHT(Directly or offset to one side)/DOWNLIGHT(Straight from above): Sunlight/Moonlight/Streetlight.  Separates the character from their surroundings.  Allows them to pop out and be distinct.  No one melts into the scenery.

UPLIGHT: Unnatural direction.  Burning sewer grate.  Candle under the chin.  Creepy.  Monstrous.  Beware the up-lit character.  



SIDELIGHT: Room lamps.  Sunrise/Sunset.  Adds dimension.  Fills out the form of your character.  Depth, complexity.  Brings out the folds in their clothing. Used strongly in dance.

What direction of light is catching your characters? Are you playing with cast shadows or internal shadows?




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13 comments:

  1. Julie MusilSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Leslie, it's so cool how you're about to use your background to teach us these amazing visual tricks. These are things I've never thought of before!

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  2. Lisa Gail GreenSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    I know, you totally blow my mind. I LOVE IT!!!

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  3. StinaSeptember 28, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Another great post. :D

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  4. Laurisa White ReyesSeptember 28, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Very interesting post. I'm going to utilize these ideas in my manuscript. Thanks Leslie.

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  5. MTeacressSeptember 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    How right you are. I haven't thought of this before. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

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  6. Leslie S. RoseSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Hey Everyone - Thank you so much for the positive vibes. Much appreciated.

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  7. LRSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Awesome. Love it.

    A certain light can reveal a hidden truth about a character. It can make a hard face tender, or give away cruelty in a "pretty" face. Love this subject.

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  8. Leslie S. RoseOctober 1, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Lee - Love the image of cruelty in a "pretty" face.

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  9. Lydia KangOctober 1, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    What a great way to think about this. Cool!

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  10. Jemi FraserOctober 1, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Very cool questions! I'm making a note to do a look through to see how I use light - and how I can make it stronger. Thanks :)

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  11. Arlee BirdOctober 1, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Lighting is so important in film making so I can see how it could make a difference in the written word though not always with such an obvious effect. I know I've been using lighting, but I'm not sure to what extent. Now I'll be more conscious of it.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  12. Susan Kaye QuinnOctober 4, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Cool! Now you have me thinking about how I used light in my book, and what did that say about my characters ... :)

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  13. Leslie S. RoseOctober 4, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Lydia, Jemi, Lee, and Susan - Glad the post gave you a new "filter" to see your writing through.

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