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03/15/2012 12:24:22 PM · #1 |
Ok, having just done some voting, I think there needs to be something said about titles. It's pretty safe to say we're all visual types or we wouldn't be here. Photos are supposed to be worth a thousand words, right? So how hard is it really to come up with a simple encapsulation of your entry? I don't like an image to be title-dependent, but to me it's the icing on the cake.
Here are a couple of rules err, suggestions:
First: After you upload your image - remove the file # and enter an actual title. An entry with a *title* of DSC_00XX just doesn't do a lot. It's such an easy fix. You make the change and hit the update button. Eh wala.
Second: Absolutely positively no more entries with the title, Untitled. It's been done to death and imho does the image no favours.
If you aren't good at titles, ask someone. If there's nobody around to ask, then pick up a book or newspaper, close your eyes, open it to a random page, move your finger down a page, stop, then open your eyes. Whatever word your finger has landed on constitutes your potential title. Choose one or two, mess with our minds a little. |
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03/15/2012 12:27:05 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Ok, having just done some voting, I think there needs to be something said about titles. It's pretty safe to say we're all visual types or we wouldn't be here. Photos are supposed to be worth a thousand words, right? So how hard is it really to come up with a simple encapsulation of your entry? I don't like an image to be title-dependent, but to me it's the icing on the cake.
Here are a couple of rules err, suggestions:
First: After you upload your image - remove the file # and enter an actual title. An entry with a *title* of DSC_00XX just doesn't do a lot. It's such an easy fix. You make the change and hit the update button. Eh wala.
Second: Absolutely positively no more entries with the title, Untitled. It's been done to death and imho does the image no favours.
If you aren't good at titles, ask someone. If there's nobody around to ask, then pick up a book or newspaper, close your eyes, open it to a random page, move your finger down a page, stop, then open your eyes. Whatever word your finger has landed on constitutes your potential title. Choose one or two, mess with our minds a little. |
I do agree with this. Titles add to the photo (or take away).
I know some of my titles aren't all that interesting... but it's better than the Image Number or putting Untitled.
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03/15/2012 12:28:57 PM · #3 |
I completely disagree on "untitled": it reflects a conscious decision NOT to title the image. I can't imagine why anyone would complain about that. I even use it myself sometimes, and I'm one of the wordiest titlers in DPC, usually.
R.
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03/15/2012 12:32:41 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I completely disagree on "untitled": it reflects a conscious decision NOT to title the image. I can't imagine why anyone would complain about that. I even use it myself sometimes, and I'm one of the wordiest titlers in DPC, usually.
R. |
I wish we had the option to leave it blank. |
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03/15/2012 12:36:06 PM · #5 |
| I don't care much for titles - occasionally they will enhance an image for me, or make the images intent clear, especially with some of the more abstract entries... a title for titles sake though I don't see a lot of merit in. I have started spending a bit of time on my own titles recently though as I know it matters to others (and I have seen my scores go up - whether this is coincidence or not I don't know), but that's more about the score, not the photography. |
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03/15/2012 12:44:26 PM · #6 |
I have noticed that any photo that I post with only the camera image number for a title gets very few "hits". It does seem to generate interest if the images have a title. Here is a good example of that, where the title is likely the reason for the high number of hits. It's not an exceptional photo by any measure, but the catchy title has caused it to get 2,800 hits.
A title can also give a strong clue to what the photographer was "seeing" when the image was captured, and cause me to connect with the subject in a different way than I would by just seeing the image.
There are a few images that seem best though, with no title, leaving the viewer with the options to apply a personal insight to what the photo is about, or how it connects with the viewers past experiences.
I agree that we should have an option to leave the title bar blank.
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03/15/2012 12:58:43 PM · #7 |
ok, since you opened the can of worms...(LOL)...Can I stir the pot and voice something that drives me nuts...why oh why when your making a "Title" do you not use upper lower case...on all words (with some exceptions like "the")...when you have a two word title both words should start with upper case
Mind you some titles are sentences/quotes, some are statements, some are all lower case - this is not what I'm talking about....it is actual "titles" i.e. it's not Dirty dancing...It's "Dirty Dancing"
Ok, I'm done twitching... |
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03/15/2012 01:07:12 PM · #8 |
Can I put in an appeal to the folks that upload their camera phone shots and the camera phone software gives the shot a title that is a long string of characters that DPC doesn't seem to be able to break into smaller bits. The humungous title screws up the columns on the browsing page. Your cooperation is appreciated. (Gets down off soapbox.)
I appreciate good titles. They can enhance a shot and they can be educational, too. If I'm looking at a shot of what appears to be a state capitol, I would much rather see the title, "State Capitol, Sacramento" (for example) rather than something like "Seat of Power" or "House of the Demons" (which may be true!).
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03/15/2012 01:11:58 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Ja-9:
ok, since you opened the can of worms...(LOL)...Can I stir the pot and voice something that drives me nuts...why oh why when your making a "Title" do you not use upper lower case...on all words (with some exceptions like "the")...when you have a two word title both words should start with upper case
Mind you some titles are sentences/quotes, some are statements, some are all lower case - this is not what I'm talking about....it is actual "titles" i.e. it's not Dirty dancing...It's "Dirty Dancing"
Ok, I'm done twitching... |
I do this often, on purpose, depending upon the title.
Sometimes my title is exactly that -- a title. Sometimes the initial caps seems too strong, seeming to give too much importance to the individual words. If it's a title, then I use initial caps. If it's a portion of a phrase, or just a tag line that I want, I use lower case. Sometimes I want it to feel more like a whisper, so I might even use all lower case. |
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03/15/2012 01:12:41 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I completely disagree on "untitled": it reflects a conscious decision NOT to title the image. I can't imagine why anyone would complain about that. I even use it myself sometimes, and I'm one of the wordiest titlers in DPC, usually.
R. |
same here, although i dont think i ever did it, many times i have no idea what to call my image. i just put one in becuase i feel the voters want to see some title.
if i take a picture of a tree am i supposed to come up with some witty title? you know what it is, its a freaking tree.
i agree with everyone that says we should have a checkbox or something to leave a title or not. |
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03/15/2012 01:18:15 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by Ja-9:
ok, since you opened the can of worms...(LOL)...Can I stir the pot and voice something that drives me nuts...why oh why when your making a "Title" do you not use upper lower case...on all words (with some exceptions like "the")...when you have a two word title both words should start with upper case
Mind you some titles are sentences/quotes, some are statements, some are all lower case - this is not what I'm talking about....it is actual "titles" i.e. it's not Dirty dancing...It's "Dirty Dancing"
Ok, I'm done twitching... |
I do this often, on purpose, depending upon the title.
Sometimes my title is exactly that -- a title. Sometimes the initial caps seems too strong, seeming to give too much importance to the individual words. If it's a title, then I use initial caps. If it's a portion of a phrase, or just a tag line that I want, I use lower case. Sometimes I want it to feel more like a whisper, so I might even use all lower case. |
agreed..I often use all lower case...but when you start the title and the first word with initial caps...carry the pattern through....THAT is what I mean |
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03/15/2012 01:20:12 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Ja-9:
agreed..I often use all lower case...but when you start the title and the first word with initial caps...carry the pattern through....THAT is what I mean |
got it.
sO i ShOuLd NaMe My TiTlEs LiKe ThiS? |
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03/15/2012 01:24:01 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I completely disagree on "untitled": it reflects a conscious decision NOT to title the image. I can't imagine why anyone would complain about that. I even use it myself sometimes, and I'm one of the wordiest titlers in DPC, usually.
R. |
same here, although i dont think i ever did it, many times i have no idea what to call my image. i just put one in becuase i feel the voters want to see some title.
if i take a picture of a tree am i supposed to come up with some witty title? you know what it is, its a freaking tree.
i agree with everyone that says we should have a checkbox or something to leave a title or not. |
+1 |
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03/15/2012 01:40:54 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by Ja-9:
agreed..I often use all lower case...but when you start the title and the first word with initial caps...carry the pattern through....THAT is what I mean |
got it.
sO i ShOuLd NaMe My TiTlEs LiKe ThiS? |
your a bean Mike..I do like titles that use a mix of upper lower...(LOL) |
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03/15/2012 03:38:38 PM · #15 |
| I love titles. A good one is a work of art in and of itself. And I think it can definitely make a difference in score. I recently experienced that with Best Of, where for some reason, I forgot to put in the image title, leaving the incredibly unappealing file name by mistake. The title didn't change the image in any way, just provided a quirky context for the viewer, while the file name I believe lowered its appreciation. |
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03/15/2012 03:43:36 PM · #16 |
| I love titles. It's a matter of practicality. Give an image a name and you have created its identity. Deny an image its name and it must be described to be differentiated from thousands of others. |
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03/15/2012 03:49:08 PM · #17 |
I always title mine....I never leave the "default" file name in place
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03/15/2012 03:55:43 PM · #18 |
I like titles. I try to put real thought into them.
Also, titles can help steer the viewer in the right direction if the photo is a little off the beaten path for a particular challenge. Before I became a member, I scoured this site for a short while, and this photo immediately comes to mind.
Without a title, it's an automatic DNMC as most people would never see the connection between mushroom clouds and Dr. Suess. With a title, the connection is obvious.
CS |
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03/15/2012 04:01:04 PM · #19 |
| Recently I got in a little trouble with my title choices. So I have had to tone them down. Not a big deal, but sometimes my title finishes the shot. Like icing on the cake! :) |
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03/15/2012 04:15:46 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by cosmicassassin:
Before I became a member, I scoured this site for a short while, and this photo immediately comes to mind. |
I am impressed that, if you were just browsing around the site, you found that photo ... one of my own favorites here.
One more tip -- make sure you keep you titles short, snappy, and pertinent, like this ... ;-) |
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03/15/2012 04:57:41 PM · #21 |
title reform isn't going to happen so long as titlists are in denial. we are glad  mike_311 names his tities at all. |
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03/15/2012 05:29:20 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by tnun:
title reform isn't going to happen so long as titlists are in denial. we are glad mike_311 names his tities at all. |
ROFL! Is that a typo? |
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03/15/2012 06:12:32 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by cosmicassassin:
Without a title, it's an automatic DNMC as most people would never see the connection between mushroom clouds and Dr. Suess. With a title, the connection is obvious. |
Apparently NOT obvious as indicated by it's finish and many of the comments. ;-)
I like a good title. I usually spend some time trying to come up with a suitable title. Occasionally more time than I spent shooting or editing - LOL. If it's a one word title, I write it in all caps with a space between each letter like this T I T L E because that's fancy looking. :) Sometimes I look up the French or Italian version of the title I thought of and use that because some voters think that if it is European, it must be a more artistic photo.
The only problem I have with "untitled" is that it is an oxymoron. Just use a dash or a smiley face :) |
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03/15/2012 06:13:30 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by tnun:
title reform isn't going to happen so long as titlists are in denial. we are glad mike_311 names his tities at all. |
Oh wow Mike I had no idea...what are their names
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03/15/2012 06:15:44 PM · #25 |
excellent! finally titles. some are 3 sentences long for crissakes. uh, "lets lead all the horses to water with this title"... or: "these boneheads wont get it so Im going to explain the entire frickin image in the title". so, having vented with aplomb, here is my point: (apologies to the border freaks in advance) TITLES ARE THE FRICKIN BORDERS!!! read about "framing" from linguists like george lakoff (some early on super YouTube vids) or sociology in general. ask any conservative operative about framing (dont ask the dems as they dont/wont get it).
onward thru the fog!
j
Originally posted by snaffles:
Ok, having just done some voting, I think there needs to be something said about titles. It's pretty safe to say we're all visual types or we wouldn't be here. Photos are supposed to be worth a thousand words, right? So how hard is it really to come up with a simple encapsulation of your entry? I don't like an image to be title-dependent, but to me it's the icing on the cake.
Here are a couple of rules err, suggestions:
First: After you upload your image - remove the file # and enter an actual title. An entry with a *title* of DSC_00XX just doesn't do a lot. It's such an easy fix. You make the change and hit the update button. Eh wala.
Second: Absolutely positively no more entries with the title, Untitled. It's been done to death and imho does the image no favours.
If you aren't good at titles, ask someone. If there's nobody around to ask, then pick up a book or newspaper, close your eyes, open it to a random page, move your finger down a page, stop, then open your eyes. Whatever word your finger has landed on constitutes your potential title. Choose one or two, mess with our minds a little. |
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