Do any of you listen to music when you are out on your own just shooting? Obviously if you are being paid for a shoot you wouldn't listen to music, but if you are just out shooting for yourself do you listen to music while doing so?
Personally I feel a great sense of peace while shooting for myself with music.
Lately my shooting music has gravitated towards old school hip hop like:
A Tribe Called Quest, Hieroglyphics/Souls of Mischief and other very laid back music. I also like a lot of alternative music as well, but really prefer the hip hop to shoot with.
When I am out (walking, shooting, whatever) I do not listen to music, as it makes me more alert to my surroundings. Not just for danger but because I can appreciate the environment better. I just get better enjoyement and appreciation of a place not just by looking at it but also by listening and even smelling it.
Steve Perry wrote:
Nope, but I would think it would depend on where you were shooting. In some of the places I hike, I need to be alert and hear everything.
Hey, you know how they tell the Grizzly poop from the black bear poop? The giz poop has earbuds in it!
I generally load my Pink Floyd, Clapton, and Rolling Stones playlist on my iPod and throw it on random. Other times, I throw on some acid jazz, funk, and groove beats (David Benoit, David Sanborne, Jeff Golub, Bill Frisell, Brian Culbertson, The Rippingtons, DJ Chris Joss) for smooth grooving while I do street candids
Steve Perry wrote:
Nope, but I would think it would depend on where you were shooting. In some of the places I hike, I need to be alert and hear everything.
Hey, you know how they tell the Grizzly poop from the black bear poop? The giz poop has earbuds in it!
Steve...you're a funny guy!
I was going to say something similar though (about staying alert) even in urban settings. Keeping your head (and ears) on a swivel can help keep you out of trouble.
I'll always have music playing at home when I'm editing my photos, but not while I'm out shooting. As others have said, I just like to be more alert to my surroundings.
Sometimes when I'm looking through the viewfinder it takes me to my own little world as is, because I really tune out alot of whats going on around me and just focus (poor choice of words ? lol) on whats in the viewfinder and composing the frame.
I'm so wrapped up with that I'm not really visually paying attention to my surroundings so I'm glad to have my ears to help keep me safe.
I could totally see myself Ipod blarring, camera up to my face, walking down the street shooting upwards at some building and stepping right off a curb into oncoming traffic or something lol
Steve Perry wrote:
Nope, but I would think it would depend on where you were shooting. In some of the places I hike, I need to be alert and hear everything.
I listen to music, but only when I'm sat stationary somewhere. Example. I've been trying to shoot pictures of this heron taking off at my local lake for months now. The bugger just doesn't like to get underway when he's being watched. In that situation, when I'm sat stationary for hours, I like to listen to State Radio or REM or Jack Johnson or Matt Costa or similar.
