“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”
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“Photography is a magical kind of art that allows people to preserve time and moments, and to describe the world the way they see it.”
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https://meanderingpassage.com//wp-content/uploads/images/2023/09/ebm-20120707110726-1-MP-Post-Image-1500-WM-2.jpg
I believe I’ve published a version of this photo in the past, but it’s remained lurking just off-stage somewhere in my mind, representing an image of a moment in time when a photo and music ‘merged.’ When you think about it, there are similarities between the results of photos and music on human emotional psychology. They both can evoke emotions and transport us to different places and times. They both capture moments in time and allow us to revisit them repeatedly. And they both can tell a story, whether it’s through a series of images or a melody.
One of the most obvious connections between photos and music is their ability to convey mood. Just think about how a sad song or a moody photograph can impact our emotions. Both mediums can make us feel joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and more.
Another similarity between photos and music is their ability to capture a moment in time. A photograph can freeze a moment forever, allowing us to revisit it whenever we want. Similarly, a piece of music can transport us back to a specific time or place, evoking memories and emotions that we thought were long gone.
Finally, both photos and music have the power to tell a story. A masterful series of images can tell a story as effectively as a novel, while a song can convey a narrative through its lyrics and melody. Whether it’s a visual or musical story, the power of storytelling is one of the most powerful connections between these two art forms, both of which can touch the depths of human emotion.
I haven’t been very inspired lately with making photos, editing, or even following and commenting on my favorite online websites. Still, when I do find a bit of inspiration, it’s often with some favorite music playing in the background.
I see a lot of similarities also, especially in the creative process when I’ve read what some musicians and songwriters go through. I know one difference (or perhaps one of a few) between music and photography for me is that I have never once got goosebumps over a photo. So that kind of tells me there is a different connection at work which I do not quite understand. I have also wondered about the span of time a song may capture your attention vs. spent lingering on a photo. Some recent songs in my library span 10 minutes, but even with the typical 4 minutes or so, I wonder how many people spend that much time on any single image. It’s also interesting how you can multi-task somewhat with audio, maybe not so much with visuals.
Mark, you make some interesting points about the subtle perception differences between these two forms of artistic media. It’s not surprising to find differences since one is experienced through hearing and the other through vision. I think each sense has unique filters shaped by our experiences and personal preferences. Perhaps relatable, I also can’t help but think about the differences in perceptions between the senses of taste and smell. While I haven’t spent extended time studying single photos or images, there have been some that have caught my attention for more than four minutes. And do we consider the times we think about a photo or song after seeing or hearing it? Perhaps a series of photographs that tell a common story or theme would be more comparable to a song or piece of music. Thanks for stirring this pot of ‘food for thought’ with your insightful comment.
I am pretty sure many photographers have spent more than 4 minutes looking at an image, I was just thinking general public – especially now with the way imagery is consumed on social media vs. say in a gallery or even a magazine or book. I wonder if the infinite scroll has somehow diluted the experience.
At the same time, it seems like highway robbery for what many musicians get compensated for with each song when thinking about the amount of work involved. I am sure those aspects make many rely on volume and popularity formulas in some ways, which has similarities with photography also. So many interesting parallels and crossovers- it’s a great topic for discussion Earl, thanks for bringing it up.
But I fear when volume is the game, that opens cracks for things like AI that doesn’t sleep.
Diluted seems an appropriate word when speaking about so much these days. With the multitude of social channels, there are little or no filters, whether it comes to separating truth from fiction or talent from overstated ambition. The abundance wears you down; at least, it does me. If you stick a Rembrandt painting or an Ansel photo at the end of a long stream of ‘nice’ images, I will probably not see them. I know there’s also a multitude of great music out there that I will not hear because they don’t have enough popularity or haven’t been promoted enough.
We also seem to be turning into a binary society, either a One or a Zero, the Haves and the Have-nots, and the difference is often determined by volume, be it in likes, clicks, views or dollars. Especially in politics, there’s not much of a middle ground; we just disagree about who’s the One and who’s the Zero.
I used to firmly believe in the old idiom that “the cream (always) rises to the top.” But in these times, it’s not just cream that floats. 💩
So the dinosaur speaks! Haha 🙄
I have moved away from listening to music at home. However, having said that I was tapping my toes this morning at the coffee shop as they played some Allman Brothers and Johnny Cash. Yes, both photos and music have the power to tell a story and stir my emotions. Both have changed me in many ways. I’ve enjoyed both of those gifts.
What rings true for me is the effect of having some background sound to sooth me when journaling or reading, which can be the wind or a bird singing. I consider both of those to be music to me. And, music with lyrics seems to disrupt my train of thought when reading or even in a conversation. I do love this image and would be interested in seeing what your previous version looked like.
In his previous comment, Mark brought up the idea of multitasking while listening to music. Personally, I find it enjoyable to have music playing in the background while engaging in activities such as reading, writing, conversing, or working on the computer. However, I prefer the music to be soft enough that it doesn’t become the sole focus of my attention. I also like to have background noise while sleeping, whether it be white noise, brown noise, or some other flavor of the month. When surrounded by nature, I prefer to listen to the sweet melodies of the natural world rather than drowning them out with artificial noise. For me, music has a calming and inspiring effect that can positively impact other activities.
I searched for an image in the blog archives but could not find it, so my previous assumption was likely incorrect. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Monte.