Both Uses

contrast
in
Unbroken, by Hillenbrand
(Edited)

The battle was so high that only the giant, shining bombers were consistently visible; the fighters, tiny in contrast, flickered in and out of view as the sunlight caught them.
p. 263.5 *

in contrast = a comparison
The snow was so deep that residents had dug vertical tunnels to get in and out of their homes. The contrast to fire-blackened Tokyo was jarring.
p. 276.7 *

contrast = difference (in this case, of the snow to...)

Definitions:

(1) (contrast as in: contrast their writing styles)
point to differences between; or compare to show differences
(2) (contrast as in: there is a contrast)
a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
(3) (contrast as in: sharpen the picture contrast)
the difference between tones of an image -- as in a photo or video -- such as the quality of brightness or the intensity of shades or colors
(4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)