copy, be photographed, describe
写 centers on producing a faithful reproduction: copying, transcribing, or capturing an image. The sense of being photographed is a natural extension of capturing a likeness, and describing is a form of reproducing something in words.
写 is the modern simplified form of 寫. The older form combines 宀 (roof) with 舄, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of transferring or copying something from one place to another. The modern form retains the cover-like top and a simplified lower component.
The top 冖 acts like a cover or a camera hood, and the bottom 与 looks like a simplified image being captured. Picture a camera copying a scene: the cover shields the lens while the image is recorded.
For シャ, imagine a copy machine making a sharp, clear copy: sharp -> シャ, and the machine reproduces the document exactly.
photograph; photo; picture; photography
depiction; description; portrayal
live action (as opposed to animation)
to be photographed; to be projected
copy; duplicate; facsimile; transcript
projection; reflection; image; reception (e.g. TV); picture quality
to copy; to duplicate; to reproduce; to trace; to transcribe
(photographic) subject
preview; private showing
copy (of the real thing); copying; reproduction; tracing
transcription (of a text, DNA, RNA, etc.); copying; transfer (printing)
copying; duplication; reproduction; copy
manuscript (book); written copy of a book; codex; transcription; copying
realism; depicting realistically; representing accurately
projection (on a screen)
(taking a) spectacular photograph; photo taken at just the right moment
hand-copied sutras; copying of a sutra
close-up photography
sketching; drawing from nature; portrayal; description
projector (film, slide, etc.)