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03/28/2005 01:06:24 AM · #1 |
Okay, I was never fond of titles that created the only link between the theme of the photograph and the theme of the challenge (example: a Ferret III challenge, a submission photo of a Cadberry egg--no ferret in sight, and the title "My Ferret's Yummy Breakfast").
My question is, what if I had a photograph that alluded to a beginning of something, but the allusion might or might not be drawn without the title refrencing it? I mean, it IS a picture of the beginning state of something; it's not something way out in left field. I'm not grabbing for a link. However, I feel that a mind quick to give low scores might frown upon a refrence in the title to clue in what beginning I'm capturing.
What's your past experinces with titles that help guide viewer to the link (NOT create one!), or what are your standard judgements on that sort of thing yourself? Thanks.
-Annette
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03/28/2005 02:23:25 AM · #2 |
Well it really does depend on how much of a stretch your subject is...
My own experiences have been mixed - this one didn't do spectacularly, but wasn't really trashed for not meeting the challenge or anything:
This one was in a challenge where relying on the title was all but encouraged by the challenge - but that said, my reliance on the title was stronger that most - and probably the primary reason for my good score.
I'd just bite the bullet and throw it in there if I were you. You never know until you try it. |
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03/28/2005 12:38:39 PM · #3 |
Thanks, samtrundle. I really appreciate your encouragement. I really like that second picture of yours.
Does anyone else have imput on this subject? I'm really leaning on this idea I have, but leery about giving it a whirl because the title will probably do a lot of steering towards the right frame of mind. Again, however, the link isn't out in left field; the photo will be alluding to the beginning of a point in time.
-Annette
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03/28/2005 12:47:13 PM · #4 |
Submit it. Go with your gut feel. I personally feel a title can only add to a photograph. Others feel differently. You'll never please everyone.
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03/28/2005 12:50:32 PM · #5 |
| Personally I hate titles that have to explain the connection or what it's alluding to. That completely takes away the mystery or creative aspect for me. But I don't think that really matters here! Feel free to submit what you want, if it's a good shot it'll probably speak for itself. |
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03/28/2005 12:55:14 PM · #6 |
I say, if it has to be explained in the title at all, then the photo didn't do its job. For instance, if you took a micro-photo of dirt and said it's the beginning of a flower to grow, that would not work. However, the seed was nestled in a small depression in the dirt as if it's about to be covered over, or if the sprout was just breaking though, then you might have something.
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03/28/2005 01:06:44 PM · #7 |
I did an entry for Passing Time titled "Bartleby The Scrivener" which was based on a Melville character Bartleby which was about a guy who was totaly passing time until he died (he couldn't fit into society). He stared at a wall all day, kept dead flowers which made my shot kind of clever(or so I thought)but if you didn't read the book my shot was just a dude staring at a wall. In this case the title was somewhat ot very important.
BTW my monitor was of calibration and I didn't notice major editing flaws until it was to late.
 I gave this a chess move name to allude to the chess move that going down in the shot. I used a string to move the piece with along exposure time. I kinda bet that nobody looked long enough to see the moving piece so I made the move the title. |
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03/28/2005 01:12:31 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I gave this a chess move name to allude to the chess move that going down in the shot. I used a string to move the piece with along exposure time. I kinda bet that nobody looked long enough to see the moving piece so I made the move the title. |
Jeez, I didn't see the moving piece at all! And I usually stare long and hard at pics just to make sure there's nothing I'm missing!
Anyway, I think allusions are fine as long as they are ACCESSIBLE. It's very important - Titles can change the way you look at things - good or bad, titles can alter the entire scene. It can shine a light, it can turn a serious photo into a joke, or it can totally scare people away. My first entry at DPC had someone claiming my photo was about child molestation, simply because of the title. So, it's good, it's bad, it's ugly. But it's still up to you :p
Personally, I'm all for it. If it's done right, a quirky title can turn something dull into something grand. And I don't think a photo has to stand all on its own for meaning. If I didn't read the blurbs in most photos I'd never know what I was looking at!
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03/28/2005 01:58:35 PM · #9 |
I was also going to enter three lone headstones in the Cemetery Challenge that were so aged and washed out that there was nothing left to read and I was going to title it
"In Who's Memory"
Now that's no great shakes but the title adds a bit to the image and explains what these headstones made me think which may or may not be of value to the viewer...otherwise three blank headstones. The image itself wasn't that strong but done well with the title it might've had legs.
There should be NO hard fast rule about titles and how or why they are used. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't. They have their time and place.
Message edited by author 2005-03-28 14:00:24. |
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03/28/2005 02:05:53 PM · #10 |
| Pawdrix, what is the name and author of the book you mentioned? Sounds very interesting to me. |
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03/28/2005 02:28:56 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by lonewolf:
Pawdrix, what is the name and author of the book you mentioned? Sounds very interesting to me. |
It's called Bartleby The Scrivenerby Herman Melville. Great old school type of story loaded with symbolism and imagery which all led to my Passing Time entry BTW. Only one or two commentors noticed...live and learn.
There's lots of internet sites dedicated to the story as well. |
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03/28/2005 02:32:04 PM · #12 |
| Thank you very much I will check it out. |
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03/28/2005 05:05:02 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by lonewolf:
Thank you very much I will check it out. |
Also, the text is available for free download (you can design you own book!) from Project Gutenberg. |
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03/28/2005 05:11:28 PM · #14 |
You've just given me a blessing and a curse in one instance.
Thank you! ...I think!
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03/28/2005 05:24:49 PM · #15 |
Wait til Melville hears about this one!!!
....make a great cemetery shot? |
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03/28/2005 05:49:01 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by kdkaboom:
You've just given me a blessing and a curse in one instance.
Thank you! ...I think! |
Aah, better hold the curses until you discover the associated Distributed Proofreading Project -- then you'll really have a reason to complain! |
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03/28/2005 05:58:30 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Catbird:
Does anyone else have imput on this subject? I'm really leaning on this idea I have, but leery about giving it a whirl because the title will probably do a lot of steering towards the right frame of mind. Again, however, the link isn't out in left field; the photo will be alluding to the beginning of a point in time.
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For me the title is important. Obviously the overall quality of the image is the main factor, but a title can hurt the final product. It can be simple or complex, but a dumb, careless, or what seems to be no effort put into the title takes away from the complete product which does include a title. It shouldn't have to explain the image, as much as compliment the mood/thought/emotion behind your image. The more clever the better, but as has been pointed out the audience must be able to understand it. I think it can help turn a good photo into a great photo personally.
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