“He looks like a right character,”
said my friend, flicking through antique photographs and picking up a portrait
of a middle-aged gentleman. “I bet he has some stories to tell.”
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| Gentleman - Photo by Ellie Morris |
Indeed, looking at this dusty photograph
perhaps one-hundred-and-fifty years later, (or even longer!) one could tell –
or at least make an educated guess – what this individual had lived through,
and what was on his mind. The thoughts running through my own mind were
estimations of his character, his history, his interests, his family members,
what had made him laugh, and his occupation.
Old photographs are perfect for
conjuring up characters! Even if the assumptions made about the individuals are
incorrect (and they most likely are), the fun lies in giving traits to the
sitter based on their appearance.
Perhaps the photographer’s
subject has particularly soulful eyes that speak of a previous heartache?
Perhaps an older gentleman’s walrus-style moustache embodies a sense of villainous
foreboding?
If amassing a physical collection
of old photographs is not something you would enjoy, perhaps consider browsing
through online galleries of ephemera and historical collections. There are
plenty of sources on websites like Pinterest and Flickr, and some art galleries
specialise in photographs, such as The
Hardmans’ House in Liverpool.
Being both a huge collector of antique
and vintage photographs and a writer myself, I am constantly using the subjects
of photos as inspiration for my characters.
Is there anything you collect which
inspires your creative work?
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