I do visualize images I have seen in the past that represent class hierarchies, I can visualize UML representing design patterns, and also can visually compose these UMLs, I can even write code in my head as I see it on the screen, for example I can change background color or font. I can only do it for small snippets, but I do see them they are not just text. Whenever I want to solve a high level design problem I actually see the systems stylized, a cache, a database, client, server, arrows between them, the same way they appear on the screen. I can easily imagine all kinds of dashboards charts and whatnot. All these to some degree of complexity, I need to make some effort to actually take a mental picture of the screen remember and visualize it after a period, unless is something I see every day. So yes people can use images to do their work every day as programmers.
I am exactly the opposite, I can very easy imagine an object in my mind and apply a texture, color skew it, rotate it. I can easily visualize a chessboard with pieces that I can change colors and even move. I can visualize moments from past, faces, places, I can even draw them to some degree however without much talent. But for the life of me I can't remember my favorite music unless I start hearing it and then it comes to me, just to fade away seconds after I finish listening to it I can remember lyrics but without the music. I think that I kind of remember (chorus) national anthem and some children songs 1-2 of them, but I can sing along once the music starts. I have a very good memory otherwise, never had to use a todo list for my daily routine.
