Music or Not??

[jra]

I've noticed that many photographers add music to their website. Personally, when I hear music, the first thing I do is try to figure out how to turn it off. If I don't see a way to quickly mute it, I'll often leave the site because I don't want to put up with the music (and this goes for any web site not just photogs). If it's something that I really want to see, I may turn my speakers off but often times I'm watching TV or have my own music playing on my computer.
So, I'm just curious, what do you guys/gals think about music on web sites? Love it, hate it or somewhere in between?
Do you have music on your site?

[RachelC1184]

NOT!!!

[Karamella]

I agree with you, I tend to leave sites with music quickly.

[Dennis_Hammer]

another vote for not

[D Thompson]

Hate it.

[Nightstalker]

I'll navigate away as soon as the music starts.

[Dusty]

No way will I stay if there's music.

>:(

[John the Geek]

And please don't use that "somewhere over the rainbow" song that every cookie-cutter photo web site template seems to include.

If you want them to see a musical slideshow of your work, give them a link to one. Don't make it your home page.

[MJPhotos24]

No, it's annoying and do the same - turn it off or x out, usually just leave. I especially hate the sites that the song restarts every page you go to, how annoying is that!?!?! If you're going to have music at least make so the visitor hast to turn it on and it plays throughout every page you go to and not stop and go.

[IndyJeff]

The thing that irks me about music on photography websites is there is usually a disclaimer there that all photos are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without permission under the US Copyright laws. Trouble is same goes for the music and these guys have no problem using someone elses property to add to their site but, boy oh boy don't let them catching you cutting and pasting one of their photos to your facebook/myspace account or they want to sue the hell out of you.
Remember when you want to add your favorite song to your website, your stealing from someone else and it's no different than someone lifiting one of your files for their site.

[MJPhotos24]

The thing that irks me about music on photography websites is there is usually a disclaimer there that all photos are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without permission under the US Copyright laws. Trouble is same goes for the music and these guys have no problem using someone elses property to add to their site but, boy oh boy don't let them catching you cutting and pasting one of their photos to your facebook/myspace account or they want to sue the hell out of you.
Remember when you want to add your favorite song to your website, your stealing from someone else and it's no different than someone lifiting one of your files for their site.
Isn't that the truth Jeff!! You wouldn't believe how many times I see this!! (OK, you would)

[jra]

Well, so far it seems most everyone is on the same page in this thread. I would love to hear from someone who disagrees and has music on the main page of their site (and I know lots on here do) :)

[themadman]

No music. Please...

[RDKirk]

Well, so far it seems most everyone is on the same page in this thread. I would love to hear from someone who disagrees and has music on the main page of their site (and I know lots on here do) :)

Exception: If you have an opt-in slideshow (a specific menu selection, not one that starts the instant you navigate to the page), music suitable to the slideshow is acceptable.

Music on a photographer's website should always be an opt-in selection.

[jra]

Exception: If you have an opt-in slideshow (a specific menu selection, not one that starts the instant you navigate to the page), music suitable to the slideshow is acceptable.

Music on a photographer's website should always be an opt-in selection.

I absolutely agree. I've seen some wonderful slideshows put to appropriate music. I don't find them annoying because I choose to watch 'em and I know what I'm getting into. In fact, I really enjoy well done slideshows put together with a nice tune. It's those web sites where the main page loads up and then the music starts up without warning.

[clrv]

Well I will agree but......

When I first changed my web page I had music and like it. Everyone here told me how bad it was so I took it off. The thing is that every time one of my clients goes to the page they ask why don't I have music.

Most of the photography websites for my area have music on there sites so I am in the minority with my site. So honesty I still have not figured out what is right. I am starting to think it is more of area thing than anything else, because I would not of thought a thing about it if everyone here had not told me to NO MUISC.

[gsbblack]

It depends on the music and when the music is played. I like a little nice quiet music if there is a slideshow, but if music comes on as soon as you enter the site, there should be a way to shut it off for those that don't like it.

[Karl Johnston]

I think there are exceptions, it depends on what works with your clients ...or appeals to them, or where it's used. I don't like it when it instantly starts up, but it makes the difference when browsing the site and having the option to turn it on or not.

[blackshadow]

Definitely not for a photography site.

[photoguy6405]

The thing that irks me about music on photography websites is there is usually a disclaimer there that all photos are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without permission under the US Copyright laws. Trouble is same goes for the music and these guys have no problem using someone elses property to add to their site but, boy oh boy don't let them catching you cutting and pasting one of their photos to your facebook/myspace account or they want to sue the hell out of you.
Remember when you want to add your favorite song to your website, your stealing from someone else and it's no different than someone lifiting one of your files for their site.
It is hypocritical. Maybe we should turn them in to the RIAA.

Ok, maybe not... that'd be kind of mean... but it is still not kosher to do.

[photoguy6405]

Music on websites: Hate it. Absolutely... unequivocally... hate... it.

First, it's seldom my taste.

Second, I often listen to radio station from around the world over the internet (so, I don't have the option of tuning them in on the radio next to me), and it interferes with my radio listening.

[RDKirk]

The thing is that every time one of my clients goes to the page they ask why don't I have music.

But you don't know the opinions of those who went to your site and did not become your clients....or why they did not.

I have found that people are very, very peculiar about their music. Frequently they will either have their own music playing from some other source or have a reason not to have music playing at all. Many people tend to react to a sudden intrusion of someone else's music as an invasion of their personal space. People also tend to be pretty rigid in the type of music they like.

I'm trying to impress people with my visual style, not my taste in music. The people who like my work vary from lovers of grunge rock to R&B to Indian and Latino music. There may be photographers who are marketing to such a narrow niche that not even musical styles would be different--perhaps in some markets the photographer can count on everyone loving country music, for instance.

But I know I can't--I'm looking for people who like my visual style, not a particular musical style, and hitting the wrong musical style can create annoyance for all the wrong reasons.

[clrv]

RDKirk

Well said you make a great point

[MJPhotos24]

Well I will agree but......

When I first changed my web page I had music and like it. Everyone here told me how bad it was so I took it off. The thing is that every time one of my clients goes to the page they ask why don't I have music.

Most of the photography websites for my area have music on there sites so I am in the minority with my site. So honesty I still have not figured out what is right. I am starting to think it is more of area thing than anything else, because I would not of thought a thing about it if everyone here had not told me to NO MUISC.
You could have an option so the client turns ON the music - not so it automatically comes blasting over the speakers just ticking them off. Even music sites like myspace, purevolume, etc. do this now so you have to hit play and people are expecting to hear music there. I find it annoying even going to bands sites and they start automatically....even though the purpose of the site is to get people to listen to the songs .

[Mhappy]

Personally I like music on photography sites! But I do agree with some others; that those who choose to add music to their sites; there should also be an opt out button too!

[SwitchBlade]

Music on websites has been a design no-no since the 90s for a reason.

[Sven-EOS]

For brides to be, I think a website with beautiful photo's accompanied by romantic music might actualy work. For all other visitors it will probably not.
So if your target is Brides To Be, why not?

[photoguy6405]

If an opt-out button is provided, it should be easy to find and use. I have seen some sites that provide one, but try to hide it, thus making it almost irrelevant.

Maybe a second splash page... after you choose flash vs html, you then choose music vs silent.

[RDKirk]

For brides to be, I think a website with beautiful photo's accompanied by romantic music might actualy work. For all other visitors it will probably not.
So if your target is Brides To Be, why not?

Native American brides? Cowboy brides? Latina brides? African-American brides In my home town, a photographer is serving all of them. They don't necessarily like the same music, even if they like the same photography.

[Sven-EOS]

Native American brides? Cowboy brides? Latina brides? African-American brides In my home town, a photographer is serving all of them. They don't necessarily like the same music, even if they like the same photography.
I actualy think Brides To Be will be in a romantic mood while searching for a photographer for their wedding, than romantic guitar/piano music might hit the right string.
I mean, who doesn't enjoy Spanish guitar music?

[RDKirk]

I actualy think Brides To Be will be in a romantic mood while searching for a photographer for their wedding, than romantic guitar/piano music might hit the right string.
I mean, who doesn't enjoy Spanish guitar music?

There is romantic CW, romantic R&B, romantic Latin...which one?

Considering that I'm not selling music anyway....

[Milla]

I have music on my site. The musician who's music I feature is a close friend and he's quite a celeb in my town. Him and I get a lot of business from each other. I took the picture on his album in exchange for the rights to put his music on my site. I do mostly local work and I've had a lot of positive feedback telling me they like the music or that they found my site because of the link on the musicians site.

I'd like to take it off, but he is a good contact to have, so the music stays.

[dugcross]

I don't have music on my site. And this is exactly why I have my speakers off while surfing the web.

[photoguy6405]

I mean, who doesn't enjoy Spanish guitar music?
The Portuguese?

Sorry, couldn't resist. :razz:

[RDKirk]

The Portuguese?

Sorry, couldn't resist. :razz:


Yeah, they do, but they play it left-handed (on the opposite side of the peninsula, you see).

[AxxisPhoto]

NOT!!!


This.

[I'm Sasquatch]

I'm with the OP on this one. If I can't quicky figure out how to turn it off, I leave the site. Music is annoying on a website (at least to me) and extra stuff like that slows down my aging computer. Plus, more often than not, the music chosen is horrible.

[RDKirk]

I'm with the OP on this one. If I can't quicky figure out how to turn it off, I leave the site. Music is annoying on a website (at least to me) and extra stuff like that slows down my aging computer. Plus, more often than not, the music chosen is horrible.

Even if I have a button to turn off the music, in the two or three seconds it takes a prospective client to find the button and hit it, I've already annoyed her and wasted some of her time...and she hasn't even looked at my photography.

[John the Geek]

Even if I have a button to turn off the music, in the two or three seconds it takes a prospective client to find the button and hit it, I've already annoyed her and wasted some of her time...and she hasn't even looked at my photography.

And her co-workers think she's goofing off online now.

[MJPhotos24]

I actualy think Brides To Be will be in a romantic mood while searching for a photographer for their wedding, than romantic guitar/piano music might hit the right string.
I mean, who doesn't enjoy Spanish guitar music?
You're assuming they search one by one - personally if searching around I'll open 5-6 pages at once and x-out the ones that don't fit until finding what I'm looking for. If anything you have an OPT-IN music and not OPT-OUT, do not want to force them to listen if they don't want to. Especially if the bride to be is doing her research at work with the boss near by to hear the music start blaring.

[photoguy6405]

The only time I have ever done music was over 10 years ago I put up a cheesy personal website. A way to teach myself basic web design more than anything else. There was a page about politics and the benefits of true bi-partisanship and how we weren't getting it and why we should. I had a midi file of the Mission Impossible theme playing in the background.

[Sledhed]

Hate it!

[Sven-EOS]

You're assuming they search one by one - personally if searching around I'll open 5-6 pages at once and x-out the ones that don't fit until finding what I'm looking for. If anything you have an OPT-IN music and not OPT-OUT, do not want to force them to listen if they don't want to. Especially if the bride to be is doing her research at work with the boss near by to hear the music start blaring.
Oh, there should definitely be an on/off switch.
I also don't like music (or sliddshows) on a website, but I can imagine it could work to attract a certain group.

[asysin2leads]

HELL NO! I get sick and tired of sites that have music started as soon as I click to their site. It's downright rude, IMHO. If you have music on your site, allow the person to turn it on to "enhance" the viewing pleasure, but don't force it on someone. I will back out or close down the page immediately. That goes for photography sites or other business sites.