Lens-Artists Challenge #297: Music to My Eyes

• Egidio Leitao


You have likely heard or used the saying, “It’s music to my ears.” The situations vary and can encompass cases when someone compliments or gives you good news. Going beyond that saying, do you believe you can “see” music in your photographs? A photographer can create a mood that reflects the feeling of a particular song. The arrangement of shapes, lines, shadows, and light in a photo can create a visual rhythm similar to the rhythm of notes in music. Do you use music as inspiration? A song’s mood or lyrics can spark ideas for a photoshoot’s theme or location. Sometimes, it happens before you capture the image, and sometimes after. Thus, this is my twist (pardon the pun) for this week’s lens-artists challenge. What is music to your eyes?

The neurological condition where one of the senses stimulates another is called synesthesia. Some people with synesthesia can experience seeing colors or shapes when they hear music. I believe the same is true for music and photography. For example, when I captured the opening image of the Davis Mountains, I had been listening to Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò” moments before parking the car. That song is ingrained in my mind whenever I see the Davis Mountains. It’s lovely to associate such a beautiful song with that scene.

Have you ever captured a photo because it reminded you of a song or some of its verses? Has a song come to your mind when editing a photo? Whenever I am photographing, sometimes a scene is just as vivid to my eyes as a song title. Every time I’m on a grassy field with the wind blowing strongly, Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” is what I hear.

What music do you hear in your photos? Do you have emotional connections to a photo and a song? Are there compositional elements that evoke a song title? For example, seeing the Rio de Janeiro Copacabana‘s sidewalks makes me hear Sarah Vaughan singing “Copacabana,” but not the Barry Manilow song by the same title.


Does classical music tend to associate more with grand landscapes for you? Is jazz more tied to black-and-white photos focusing on movement and improvisation? Is electronic music more connected to abstracts and/or images with bold colors and shapes? What is music to your eyes? Here are some of my examples. Can you look at the photo and pick the song title? It’s easier than you think. These are the song titles in alphabetical order. I’ll post the answers at the end.

  • Candle in the Wind (Elton John)
  • El Condor Pasa (Simon & Garfunkel)
  • He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (The Hollies)
  • Lady Sings the Blues (Billie Holiday)
  • The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)


I would love to hear the music you make when you photograph. As you see, I only used song titles in my examples, but if you want to highlight a specific lyric, that will work, too. Please remember that pingbacks do not work on my site. For me to see your post, you need to put your link in the comments below. I’m sorry for that inconvenience. Also, please use the “lens-artists” hashtag to make it easier for others to find your post since they may not read all the comments below.

I am looking forward to hearing and seeing the music you will share in your posts.

Last week, Ritva focused on shapes, colors, and textures using abstracts. The photos you shared were nothing short of spectacular. So much creativity was all around. You inspired me to photograph more and push my boundaries. Next week, Tina will share another fascinating challenge on Saturday, 12 noon (EDT in the USA). Stay tuned.

Here are the answers to the song titles and photos. On the top row, from left to right, the songs are

  • El Condor Pasa (Simon & Garfunkel)
  • He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (The Hollies)
  • Lady Sings the Blues (Billie Holiday)
  • The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)
  • Candle in the Wind (Elton John)

Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

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109 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #297: Music to My Eyes”

  2. Your images, breathtaking…ALWAYS! This challenge takes our photography to a different level. It feels more personal, with the encouragement of our own interpretations. I loved the way you gave us a “game” if you will to guide us in the challenge. I laughed at the image of the turtles and the song you picked. lol True. Synesthesia was a new word for me, so thank you for that too. Such a fun, unique and enlightening challenge Egidio. I am already curious where people will take this. Love it! Fantastic.

  3. Thanks so much for your encouragement and support, Donna. I’m hoping the theme will be easy to follow. Sometimes, a title comes up to my head when I’m home editing the photo. However, for the turtle song, for example, that has always been the song I think of when I see turtle that way. Thanks, again. I’ll be looking forward to hearing/seeing your songs.

  7. Your images are gorgeous Egidio and thanks for a very creative challenge. I like how you connect music and photography. For me, nature and photography are connected to feelings, not music. So I will sometimes take an image and create a poem or short story to match.

  8. 👏👏👏 Intriguing theme, outstanding photos. LOVVVVE that header photo. Superb! I love music too! A great complement.

  10. Such a different way to look at the challenge, Egidio. At first I was shaking my head but then I thought of the images that come with many of my favourite songs and I knew just what you meant.

  13. What a fun challenge, great examples. I am going to have to think about this one.

  14. What a great challenge, Egidio! I enjoyed your quiz, too, a perfect guide to thinking about music and photos.

  17. What a great challenge this week, Egidio! The wind-inspired images are perfect and the turtle with its corresponding song He Ain’t Heavy is truly inspired!

    I always have a song in my heart and I’m inspired to join you with my Sunday Stills post featuring kids and pets Sunday morning. I’ll be sure to add my link into the comments.

  18. Donna, you had me with the Lamar Valley opening photo. I knew I was in for a special treat. The song/photo choices you presented brought me a rollercoaster of emotions. Thank you so much for these beautiful images and music. About the Winslow photo, I do have a photo at that corner. That song is great. I’ll never drive into my carwash without hearing that song. Great post from start to finish!

  23. Tina, thanks for the feedback. Imagine what I felt witnessing that condor flying in Peru. How could I not think of that song? I’ll hurry to your post now to listen to your soundtrack. Thanks, again.

  25. Marie, I am so happy you liked the post and “quiz.” I figured that would show how easy it is to link music and photography. Thanks for the comments.

  27. Terri, thank you for the compliments. Whenever I see turtles, there’ll always be a couple in that position. The song naturally comes to my mind. I’ll look forward to your post tomorrow. Thanks.

  29. Yan, thanks for joining in the fun. Your choices in photo and music are beautiful! I was not familiar with the Japanese folk song, but the others are beautifully shown in the photos you selected. Beautiful post!

  33. This is an imaginative and thought-provoking challenge, which you have set up for us so well with such a varied collection of images. Though despite music being important to me, I’m currently stumped. I’m just going to let the idea sit with me ….

  38. Such a unique challenge, Egidio. I admit I will have trouble with this one as I don’t often think of associating music with my photos. I will have fun with it and assign appropriate music (I hope) to my photos. 🙂 Looking at your examples, I will find it fun when I think of an association that matches.

  39. Thanks Egidio. I have enjoyed reading other contributions this morning. In fact unfamiliar songs are listed to while I go through the posts. Super inspiring challenge this week. I think lots of folks are tapping into emotions. thank you again.

  41. I always enjoy your images, and some of your songs choices evoke same feelings and place. Easiest is the long and winding road 🙂 blowing in the wind – I have similar candle in the wind. The lyrics often guide us as well as the tune.
    Lovely post – hard to follow 🙂

  42. My hearty congratulations, Egidio, for this unique approach. You are the first person to come out with this idea in photography world.
    Capturing moments with light, composing melodies with imagery—a symphony for the eyes through photography.”!
    Do you know I adore Andrea Bocelli. I love all his songs and “Besame mucho” is my fav.
    Your amazing pictures go so well with these lovely songs you have chosen.
    Love the Sunburst image.

  44. Egidio – whew…that was a such a fun/challenging prompt. I wasn’t sure where to go with it. Then reviewing your photos and your words of wisdom I felt inspired to give it a whirl. The photos you chose for the songs you picked fit very well together. The turtle photo made me chuckle with the song you chose. I immediately thought of the long and winding road with that photo – excellent choice. Here’s my take https://www.quaintrevival.com/my-thoughts-on-welcoming-friendships-that-come-and-go-throughout-the-years/

  46. hello egidio,
    an interesting and wonderful mix of photos you have chosen for the challenge, i like them very much. i only have two songs for you – lovely day – bill withers and right before my eyes – patti day, for me they are the right songs for my pictures today.
    here is my entry for this week https://wp.me/pfnz9O-hX.
    best regards robert

  49. Sofia, I’m happy you liked the challenge and found inspiration in the examples. I’ll go check out your post now. Thank you for the compliment.

  50. Margaret, I’m very thankful that you liked the challenge, even if it has left you stumped for now. I’m sure you’ll see music in your photos as you let the idea simmer in the back of your mind. Thanks for the comment.

  52. Thank you for the entry you sent in. I’ll check it out in a little while. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you. I hope that even without knowing the songs, the titles probably connected with the images. Thanks.

  53. Patti, your words are always so supportive. I welcome your feedback and comments. I’m glad you liked the challenge and post. Thank you. I’ll go check your post now.

  54. Xenia, your feedback put a smile on my face. Many thanks. I’m also glad you add music to your nature explorations. I’ll check out your entry now.

  55. John, thank you for the comments. I’m hoping the examples I provided will assist you in associating music to your great photography. Thanks again.

  56. Hi, Donna. I’m enjoying seeing responses with unfamiliar songs to me. Also, I’m loving when I see a song in a photo, such as your example of Winslow. I hope that emotions will surface in people’s minds.

  57. Ritva, many thanks for your thoughtful response. Some songs come up more easily, such as “The Long and Winding Road.” Others may be more personal. I look forward to seeing your creative response. Thanks.

  59. Philo, I am the one who needs to thank you for the enthusiastic feedback. I very much appreciate that. I bet I’m hardly the first person to think about music and photography. I’m not surprised you adore Bocelli. He’s inspirational when he sings. We have been lucky to see him live in concert here in Austin. Much gratitude, my friend.

  61. Sarah, I’m so thankful you liked the challenge and the little guessing game in the end. Thanks for your compliment. I’ll check your post soon.

  62. Robert, thank you so much for the feedback on the challenge and photos. I very much appreciated that. I’ll check out your post soon. Thanks.

  64. Egidio, you chose an unusual challenge and showed us the way beautifully. Wait! That could be from a Frampton song: “Oh, won’t you show me the way. I want you to show me the way, yeah..” 🙂 Loved your examples and although I wasn’t going to join originally because I couldn’t think of anything, a few songs came to mind, some photos came together, and here I am.

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2024/04/28/lens-artist-challenge-297-music-to-my-eyes/

    janet

  65. Janet, thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you liked the challenge. I can hardly wait to go check out your post. Thanks for the compliment.

  69. Thank you so much, Siobhan. I looked at your post and left a couple of responses. Maybe they are waiting moderation. If not, please let me know.

  71. You’re welcome – and thank you for stopping by to see my post, I so appreciated your words of encouragement!

  76. Jez, thank you so much for the feedback. I’m so glad you liked the challenge and decided to participate. I’ll read your post now. It’s funny you mentioned candles in the wind for last week’s challenge. I actually had it there originally, but removed it at the last minute to save it for this week’s challenge.

  82. I.J., I am so happy to read your compliment. Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m also glad you joined in. I’ll go check your post right away. Thank you.

  84. Great theme! Love your photos as always! Excellent choices of the songs. … he is my brother is a moving song.

  97. Well, Cee, that is just great that you liked the topic this week. Thanks for the compliment and also for submitting a post. I’ll comment there. Thanks again.

  99. LOVE this. I no longer feel pathological for hearing photographs, especially my own–and your overhead raptor shot is strumming John Hiatt’s “red-tailed hawk shooting down the canyon…..”

  108. I am thrilled that you did not give up. Thanks for the feedback about the challenge. I just left a note in your wonderful post. P.S.: I saw your email and loved the “PR” you used in it!

  109. Thanks, Egidio! I am glad too that I could complete the challenge. Ah the PR 🙂..I don’t remember anymore what inspired me to choose that name. But I like the idea of reflections – physical as well as mental 🙂.

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