There's always days where you get up and feel like going for a walk to take pictures. You feel like going to a museum, botanical gardens or an old factory or the beach, but none of your friends want to. So here's some suggestions in the form of music to keep you company on those Lomographic adventures!
I have a big passion in life – music. I play drums and guitar for a few years now, and I always have my iPod with me, wherever I go really. And I’ve noticed how music inspires me when I just feel like going somewhere to take pictures.
So, I decided to create a few playlists of different music genres to fit different photography trips.
1. Street photography: usually you need to be fast, it’s all about speed, busy-ness, crowded streets and lots of energy. Hence you need music to keep you upbeat, to keep you going. For that in my opinion the best music is some moderate house, a bit of fast indie rock or perhaps a bit of metal if you’re into that kind of thing. Here’s a few examples:
- Swedish House Mafia – One
- Paul Van Dyk – Crush
- Muse – Stockholm Syndrome
- Dream Theater – Panic Attack
2. Bad weather photography: did you ever want to go out in the rain to take pictures? Lonely people with umbrellas, everything grey and gloomy? To keep you in that mood I found movie soundtracks to be best.
There’s a couple of great composers out there, Hans Zimmer, Clint Mansell, John Powell. Here’s a little preview:
- Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack from ‘The Last Samurai’
- Clint Mansell’s soundtrack from ‘The fountain’
- John Powell’s soundtrack from ‘X-Men 3: The last stand’ (especially the build up from around 2 minutes to 2.50 )
- Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack from ‘Gladiator’
I found soundtracks like these in general pretty awesome and inspiring for calm trips – museums, zoos. Trips where you THINK about your shots and not just snap. Trips when you want to get away from the busy life of the city.
Another musical direction that fits these situations is progressive rock and art rock, a musical direction very far from mainstream music and mostly interesting to people somehow connected to music.
Put short – if your love goes out to 50 cent, this isn’t for you at all.
- Pink Floyd – Hey You
- Pink Floyd – Any Colour You Like (dream theater cover)
- Porcupine Tree – Glass Arm Shattering
- Opeth – Windowpane
I found myself immersed in the music, in the world of art, disconnected from reality and all the crap and trash that goes on in it right now. It’s the best way to just shut down and be ONE with your camera and your art.
I hope some of you get inspired by this. If you’d like some tips on soundtracks and prog rock – dont hesitate to contact me, I’ll be very happy to suggest some things to you all =)
11 comments
thedude
i think personally the velvet underground, the doors and the pixies better for street photography
qrro
Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd!!! Tool and A Perfect Circle are also a good choice
xxxanderrr
obviously tastes are different, I prefer some speed metal for street photography, since that's simply my thing.
So it was kind of a selection of fast-paced music from different genres :)
For obvious reasons I couldn't include like 20 sample songs from different genres ;))
xxxanderrr
@qrro: agreed with Tool, though that is very much music for a lover and a knower. So are Coheed & Cambria, Riverside, Rush, Symphony X :)
franty
Lately i've been listening to Tame Impala and Boards of Canada while i'm shooting in the streets...
elis
orangeuke
Nice choices! I'll have to check out some of those bands I don't know... But when I take lomo photos (or really when I do anything) I play indie music in my head :)
ne_fryakai
мы тоже кое-что сделали в данном направлении)))
http://www.lomograph(…)-in-russian
electricsick
Very nice article :D
Deadwing is allways on my playlist.
Also Hadouken! , it's got some great beats for some fast shooting.
blormore
Oh yeah! Pink Floyd beyond the shadow of a doubt! Just saw Waters do the Wall this past fall and I still have the experience clear in my mind!
yeahyeahyeahh
@electricsick: Hadouken! is definitely great, have to agree.