Music And Photography

No, never. I would find it too distracting.

How would one do that? That's like asking - how many cook pancakes while driving? You have to be aware of where you are and what your doing and music gets in the way.


----Mike Savad

In the field no, but for studio work, absolutely.

I listen to The Cure, Bebop Jazz, etc... just depends on my mood.

The music allows me to concentrate, step back and analyze when needed, take my time, work the shot, helps keep the creative juices going etc... all while having enjoyable music on.

No music while shooting but certainly on the drive to and from. Then almost always while working on post.

Mostly classic rock: CCR, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, Simon & Garfunkle, Jim Croce, Animals, Buffet, etc. Might even pick up a guitar from time to time…

When I had a brick and mortar studio music played all the time. For nature and wildlife photography of course not. Need my ears wild open out in the wild.

As for what I listen to? The Blues, Classic Rock, Hair Metal, Folk, some Country, some Bluegrass, Progressive Rock... i.e. good music regardless of genre.

Same as others - no music while out shooting, but definitely on the drive. I'm primarily a metalhead, so it's often things like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Dream Theater, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Megadeth, etc. But I also switch it up now and then and put on some 50s/60s rock like the Beach Boys, Elvis, Everly Bros, or maybe some Johnny Cash or Marty Robbins, or some 80s pop.

98% of what I shoot is outdoors. And a fair amount of that is landscapes. As much as I love music, I'd much rather listen to the outdoors.

Thank you for those who've replied so far. Looking back I guess I would find it distracting during the shoot (of any kind) but I do know during wildlife & landscape I enjoy all the natural sounds of the environment around me. I would like to try listening to music during some other style shoots though (just to see how it goes). Guess it's just part of me always being curious on what/how people work 🤔😂.

I haven't even thought of what type of music I'd listen to. I like all kinds.

There is a joke that goes:
Turn down the music. I can't see!

Bradford - LOL - I do that when I am driving and am lost. Music doesn't go with lost.

Bradford - LOL - I do that when I am driving and am lost. Music doesn't go with lost.

@ Chuck. Nicely stated and I agree. "I'd much rather listen to the outdoors."

In the field, none. Agree with above - Nature, the outdoors, is much more beautiful than any music could be. While traveling - no music, talk. Art Bell and George Noori on "Coast to Coast". I like to know what the aliens are up to. When the saucers land to invade, I'll know before you do. Klaatu barada nikto.

@Dan,
That radio show certainly brings back memories from my frequent overnight drives. It would be the only station I could consistently pick up during my 7hr-8hr drives.

Oops, then you know about the aliens and the impending invasion. There is no hope, I tell you. We're surrounded by 'em! Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

Not usually when shooting, but always when processing.

Oh definitely not. I tried it when first starting out with photography many years ago because I had a hard time being around any sort of noise that I wasn’t in control of and it kept taking away my focus. It wasn’t until one day I decided while out in the wide open away from everything that I would take off my headphones and just try to be in the moment. Every picture I have taken from that moment on has been so much more focused and just better all round.

Nope, not me either...too distracting. I like to focus on the subject and that is it.

If I'm listening to music that is what I'm doing. I never listen to music for background noise, it gets on my nerves.

Once in a while if editing is taking some time to process, like HDR merges or panorama stitching, I may noodle around on my guitar while I wait for it to complete.

Serious work requires focus, and silence is the best zone to focus.

I like laid-back piano jazz thru Spotify
including Trio From Rio, Bill Lawrence,
Greg Foat, Ludovic Beier, Sassy Players,
Ilya Mann, Williamsburg Quartet, Milos
Foreman, Bruce Douglas, Malcolm
Schultze, Hip Jazz Collective, Daniel
Patarava, Arbee Trio, Bleake Hills,
Trio X of Sweden, Peter Sandberg,
Ellie & The Bunch, Magnus Ringblom,
The Late Nighters, The Stockholm
Quartet, Gretta Leje, Ahron Kupner,
Franz Gordon, Davide Ambrosia ...