Jonathan has just this evening sent out the brief for the 4 week photo essay project. Part of this entails capturing or generating an original soundtrack.
“Sound: Your project will include sound so think about what sort of sound or soundtrack you want to have with your images. When you are taking photographs, think about sound at the location. Can you hear birds, humming electrical alternators, hushed voices or a distant motorway.”
Coincidentally, I just came across this beautiful sound track “Halloween Boat” by “Piano Magic” (first play button on the list), on the wonderful blog of illustrator/designer, Scott Hansen (ISO50). It’s a long track, at nearly 19minutes long, but is a great demonstration of the use of audio layers building on one another over time, in a kind of crescendo fashion. The track starts with a simple washing of the sea up and down a sandy beach. Ninety seconds later, a church bell is introduced, bonging in the background. Around the two minute mark, some shallow breathing is added to the mix. The bells and breathing are replaced by an electronic synthesiser, but the sound of the sea remains. A voice starts speaking, reciting, not singing, in a poetic style. This continues for some time, before gradually decrescendoing to a close. I would recommend taking the time to listen to the full track. Firstly, it’s very calming, but also could give some inspiration for your soundtrack production, in terms of using environmental sound and layering various audible elements, much like you might build up and blend visual layers in Photoshop or Illustrator.