Has the music anything to be with your photos?

sun of sand · Jan 22, 2010

Bruce Watson said:
You miss the point I think. The OP isn't talking about playing music on an external source that he can physically hear (as can anyone else who is close enough). He's talking about music that comes unbidden into his head (that only he can hear) usually as a reaction to what he sees.

While this isn't exactly rare, it's also not exactly common. So if you don't hear music when you are photographing, you are probably in the majority.

So maybe this thread ain't about you. That's not a bad thing. It's just a thing.

He didn't mean that? OHHHHHHHH
external source? physically hear? And people nearby would also be able to physically hear an external sound producing machine that he
God, dude

Seriously, though
I think you've missed it.
Unbidden? really? That's more of a mental issue and if not than it would be quite rare -IMO ..to the point of making a thread about it on apug.org would be known by the poster to be near useless

This is not some case of some guy seeing numbers as colors this is this guy associating a piece of music/type of with a certain ..condition or whatever
Rain in this instance
I listened to this composers music and found it instantaneously "reminiscent of raindrops"

it's not anything special

this guy doesn't say he hears music when photographing, either
He says music "inspires" him to photograph
but really all I think hes saying is that music invigorates him to do things he enjoys doing

it does everyone, i think

it's just energy combined with memory mixed together with favorite pastimes

mark · Jan 27, 2010

sun of sand said:
god I hate all this music/photography-art correlation BS

I listen to all kinds of music in the car
You think theres any radios in Nascar? Fkn doubt it

Its not about the bike it aint about the camera and it sure aint about the music you listen to

I wonder what makes you say this. While I attempt to remove all distractions when I create something, including music. I realize others may need something. If music puts one in the mood to create what is the problem.

You seem to have problems with people connecting visually to music. I am curious, why so vehement?

kerrpanda · Jan 30, 2010

It's Texas Music and Americana that gets me a good day in the darkroom!. However, we lost the radio station that plays that music, and the other closest station is too far away to get. Been searching for a way to stream the station (don't like recorded music, I like to be surprised, "fed" my music) while in the darkroom. So far, nothing has worked out. I haven't had a great day in the darkroom since! But gotta have some music! Tried it once without and it was so EMPTY!

Andrew Sanderson · Jan 31, 2010

I think that music and photography must excite similar areas of the brain. I think it shows you have a 'photographers mind'.

keithwms · Jan 31, 2010

Regarding the brain, Andrew, I think that is a very important point that you make. What I suppose music and photography have in common is that they can bridge the two hemispheres and unite complex analytical thinking with a broader, spatial experience. Both music and photography (and all art) can be purely technical... we all know what that looks/sounds like! But in order to engage deeper emotions, the thought process has to move beyond the technical/analytical part of the brain. Perhaps that is the function of the background music, for me- to remind me that there are single notes played technically and perfectly... and then there are compositions that transcend all of the technicals.

MetaGeorge · Feb 6, 2010

read on...

MetaGeorge · Feb 6, 2010

Having been a musician and music engineer and producer for most of my life, and photographer only in recent years, working as a photojournalist and otherwise, I can only say that I was always 'seeing' the music, ALWAYS seeing and hearing what I was doing. Not just full songs but color tones while changing equlaization curves, selecting the right mic etc. With images its the same for me, only I draw on my previous experiences with dynamic range, composition over time is now composition in two dimensions etc.

Honestly, photography is not always related to music in the same way that music was visual for me. But I have to say they are similar enough for me not to worry about why I make this or that decision when composing or editing. I just do what comes naturally and I definitely draw on all my production and theoretical experience and knowledge without second guessing.

Music in my head, music playing, whatever... I cant see why anyone would be upset over this but I will assume I am one of the lucky ones.

MetaGeorge · Feb 6, 2010

Regarding the specific question of listening to music as an inspiration...I find that inspiration is fleeting by nature, best to act on it before it takes flight.

Anscojohn · Feb 9, 2010

Mozart works best for me in the darkroom. And I don't particularly like Mozart!

Existing Light · Feb 11, 2010

I've learned through experience that I can listen to loud, intense music while taking pictures or thinking of ideas for photographs, but I should listen to soothing music while developing film. Once while developing a roll of film and listening to Trans Siberian Orchestra's Wizards in Winter, I got too vigorous with the agitation and ended up with with high contrast negs. Using Rodinal 1:25 for the first time didnt help much with contrast control, either

walter23 · Feb 15, 2010

I can't photograph while listening to music because the darkcloth would tangle with my headphones, and besides, it's distracting. I have no synaesthesia.

Music is very important to me (I listen to everything from black metal through a billion varieties of electronic music to progressive psychedelic rock through ambient drone music and a bit of classical), but it's pretty much a different experience from photography.. separate aspects of experience. The only thing really compatible with my state of mind while engaging in serious photography is probably ambient drone music, but again - the headphones tangle up

I do like music in the darkroom. Always end up putting on arcade fire for some reason.

jcorll · Feb 16, 2010

Being interested in music and have played music since I was in 4th grade, I use photography and music to help each other out. When I'm out and about taking photos, I usually end up with the start to a musical piece playing in my head. After I'm done with the shots I want, I get that melody or tune onto paper. When I'm continuing to write that music at a later time, I go back and look at my photography to give me that extra little 'push'.

I figure at least if the music doesn't come out right. There's always the photos I took. I don't know what I'll do if those don't come out right!

Jim Fitzgerald · Mar 4, 2010

Beethoven! Always. When I work or I'm looking for inspiration it is Beethoven. Generally my son on the piano with a Sonata or a Piano Concerto (CD'S). Right now it is very hard to write this as he weaves his way through the Tempest. If Beethoven does not inspire one then no one will.

Jim

Merlin · Mar 8, 2010

In a very nice episode of Myth Busters (Discovery, part 1, part 2), they've tested whether plants grow harder or not when listening to classical or rock music, talking to them, abusing them. It seemed that Heavy Metal music is best for growing plants, any music is better than none and talking sure helps a lot.
It is also my practise in the darkroom: all kinds of music, depending on the state i'm in, I sometimes abuse my prints verbaly, and sometimes I tread them nice, talk to them in a soft voice. They still don't grow on me, but the effects are that I have a good time and I often laugh about me... :confused:

Doc W · Mar 8, 2010

MetaGeorge said:
...

Honestly, photography is not always related to music in the same way that music was visual for me.

I thought I was going to be the odd man out but, interestingly, here are two of us, both professionals in the music field, who see music but don't hear photographs.

I am 60 now and have played music since I was about 6, playing professionally, on and off, from age 14, and like MetaGeorge, music is very visual for me. I see scales, keys, timbre, rhythm, timbre, everything.

But for me a photograph is a glimpse into silence, even photographs of scenes that are noisy. I have never associated music with anything visual, not painting, sculpture, photography, nothing.

And I never listen to music in the darkroom. It is either silence or talk radio. After a long session, I often play some music (not a recording, I mean an instrument) to relax.

Now I am not saying this is better and I don't really understand why a musician would be like this, but there it is. I leave it up to someone smarter than I to figure it out.

DanielStone · Mar 15, 2010

mc hammer baby...

crank the bass.

"whoomp there it is" works best for me

-Dan

but then again, I'm 22 today, so I guess I'm one of the 'younger' darkroom people here . mozarts cool though, I dig it

Steve Roberts · Mar 16, 2010

When I pick up a camera, Madonna's "Leica Virgin" comes into my head.
If there isn't enough "light" music, I often hear Harry James' frenetic trumpet playing of "Flash".
When I project the image on to the baseboard I usually think of the group "Blurr".
Then when I dunk a 10 by 8 in the fixer, of course it has to be anything by "Prince".

benjiboy · Mar 19, 2010

Music has absolutely nothing to do with my photography.

largeformat pat · Mar 21, 2010

Building darkroom, 3 x 6 meters. Have old 5 in 1 system. will run cables for speakers. JJJ during the day, ABC classic FM during the night. Compose and create, mood and music I feel, go hand in hand. Same deal for picy's.
Pat

Brett Surf NJ · Mar 23, 2010

In the morning before sunrise I like Sigur Ros.
Also, I second Miles.

largeformat pat · Mar 24, 2010

I would agree, Sigur ros. And maybe Dave Brubeck Quartet.

benjiboy · Apr 3, 2010

benjiboy said:
Music has absolutely nothing to do with my photography.

And I'm not an "Artist".

c6h6o3 · Apr 3, 2010

benjiboy said:
Music has absolutely nothing to do with my photography.

...or mine either.

Ross Chambers · Apr 4, 2010

Doc W said:
I am 60 now and have played music since I was about 6, playing professionally, on and off, from age 14, and like MetaGeorge, music is very visual for me. I see scales, keys, timbre, rhythm, timbre, everything.

But for me a photograph is a glimpse into silence, even photographs of scenes that are noisy. I have never associated music with anything visual, not painting, sculpture, photography, nothing.

And I never listen to music in the darkroom. It is either silence or talk radio. After a long session, I often play some music (not a recording, I mean an instrument) to relax.

Now I am not saying this is better and I don't really understand why a musician would be like this, but there it is. I leave it up to someone smarter than I to figure it out.

It's interesting to see a couple of involved musos visualising music.

I'm very fond of music, although not a player. I would not listen to music in the darkroom, but certainly in performance and via the CD player, where concentration is required.

Synaesthesia may not be rare in non-visual arts; Scriabin in music and Nabokov in literature were afflicted (?) in a similar manner.

I understand that Ansell Adams was a pianist, perhaps he will offer his thoughts from beyond the grave.

"After a long session, I often play some music"

In my case today, alas via CD, Rautavaara's 7th and 8th Symphonies, highly recommended.

Regards - Ross

kennycouch · Apr 17, 2010

I switch between Bonobo and early 90's hip hop Pharcyde always makes me wish I was shooting.

Has the music anything to be with your photos?

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