The Liberal Lens: Finding Life in the Moment

I’m a huge proponent of setting the scene in fiction by using photography as inspiration. It’s simply a must.

Introduction to Photography for Writers

Take for example the featured image I used today.

I had an old hand-me-down camera from the early 2010s, a very used, dirt beige Chevy Cavalier that really shouldn’t have been road legal, and as much time as I could give myself, so I went to New Hope, Pennsylvania and just snapped pictures of whatever I thought looked neat.

If I could offer advice on capturing images that inspire writers, it’s simply to snap whatever catches your eye

The Power of Attention-Grabbing Images

Just like how my journalism professor at Bucks County Community College would tell me that the first sentence should always be attention-grabbing in a news article (“cut the crap out of your grafs and get me something that hooks me like a crack addiction”), you should be taking pictures of what captures your attention.

Because if it captured your interest, it will engage the curiosity of others.

The Art and Literature Connection

Then, when you are trying to write that killer scene that you’ve been wanting to write for the past couple of years, just open up your phone and look at those pictures. Hell, include the pictures in your writing if you want. I will always emphasize and encourage the art and literature connection. Literature is art, and art is literature. Interchangeable, see?

Enhancing your artistic vision through photography will distinguish you from those who overlook the world around them in favor of cliche or tropes. It will fuel your storytelling creativity and help you become a more accomplished writer — all by enhancing creativity with visuals.

Fiction writing is probably one of the hardest things to do blind. It’s why I’ve always loved non-fiction writing (because reality is non-fiction).

Building Mood and Tone with Visuals

By eliminating that blindness, that ignorance, you are able to write a beautiful representation of the world. Looking at the curves of lips in smiles, or how hair tends to carry the personality of a beautiful individual. How the river ripples along its swift current, or how a bridge over the Delaware is losing its fight against corrosive rust.

Don’t be afraid to get a little spicy with adjectives and descriptors. If it contradicts, well that’s awesome! I could list a few silly examples, but honestly it’s just building personality from those photos. You’ll find that things that you thought were impossible actually look possible, and you’re able to put into words what you once thought was something that was out of the realm of reality.

Conclusion: Your Creative Journey

We are able to nail creative writing by being creative individuals and snapping creative pictures. Using the pictures helps in building mood and tone in writing, and also setting the scene in fiction. And, if you’re clever about it, you can also begin developing plots from images as well.

Really, the world is in your hands. Most of us have a smartphone capable of taking pictures. Don’t be afraid to whip it out and snap a few to use in your writing.

Just don’t be a creep about it is all I’m asking for.