As someone who believed they would be a paleontologist growing up, this image immediately stood out to me. I was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia, recalling moments from my childhood filled with dinosaur figurines, books, and parties (yes, multiple). However, it’s a bittersweet feeling reconciling what the future currently is vs. what you thought it would be as a kid. Not to say that I’m unhappy, but there’s a tang of sadness when I realize I am no longer this little girl dusting off store-bought fossils in the middle of her room–I’m an adult, with a child of my own, watching time slip through my fingers.
It took a minute to find music that successfully aided in emoting those intense feelings. The track, “The Stars Look Different (Ziggy Stardust Mix)”, features an infusion of soft rock and strings, creating a melancholy ambiance that aligns with the intention of my image selection. Overall, I think the audio/image combination enhances meaning and provides additional depth.
Hey Mariah, I just wanted to say I love the photo you chose. The sound choice went well with your description of coming to terms with the present as it gives off a nostalgic and melancholic feeling. I could see this image go along well with an indie sleaze in away that can be described by flash photography with random party energy. I feel like it would go alone with music where it is more grunge or 2000s. This photo in general reminds me of my best friend who LOVES dinosaurs and shiny disco balls. 🙂
Hi Mariah!
I think the photo you chose is super interesting. There are so many things to focus on in the photo itself. It reminds me of waking up after a long night of drinks and seeing the mess that was made and not remembering a thing about what happened the night before. I love the music selection with the photo also. There is a deep sadness in the audio clip when I listen to it. The sadness of the audo clip pairs well with the deep nostalgia you feel along with the sadness of no longer being a little girl and realizing you have to “adult” now.
Hi Mariah,
Oh my gosh! I love Jurassic Park and absolutely loved this photo! When I first saw it, it felt like an “end of the party” moment; everything was so much fun, but now that it’s over, there’s this bittersweet feeling. Combined with the music, it really gave me a sense of saying goodbye, like a farewell to a time that’s now just a memory.
On its own, the image captures a sense of childhood wonder, almost like a frozen moment of playtime. But it also has that “after the fun” vibe, where the excitement has faded, leaving behind nostalgia. The music, by itself, is reflective and a little melancholic, making you think about time passing and how things inevitably change.
When you put them together, the meaning deepens. It’s not just about childhood nostalgia anymore, it’s also about letting go of an entire phase of life. The music shifts the image’s feeling from simply remembering something fun to actually mourning it in a way, like an old movie scene where you’re reminiscing about something that can never quite be re-lived.
A song like “Welcome to Jurassic Park” from the Jurassic Park soundtrack would completely change the mood. Instead of feeling like an ending, it would bring back that sense of childhood excitement and wonder. On the other hand, using something more playful, maybe a whimsical tune, could make the image feel like a celebration of those memories instead of a farewell. The right music really does have a huge impact on how we experience art!
Hi Mariah,
Your choice of title, image, and sound successfully capture a depth of human emotion in a powerful way. I’m another huge fan of Jurassic Park – (I find myself quoting “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could they didn’t stop to think if they should.” far too often), so your title set a tone for nostalgia and humor. The image alone reminded me of a New Years Party winding down, as Amanda mentioned in their comment, an “after the fun” vibe. The sound captures feelings of both nostalgia and melancholy. All together they encapsulate that “bittersweet feeling” of remembering the life we imagined, and the lives we live. Another thing it made me think of is how small we all are in the vast scheme of things, especially with the imagery of a huge dinosaur compared to the tiny pink toy. Dinosaurs were a blip in the history of the world, and as you mention, time stops for no one. Awesome pairing of image and sound!