Photo Names and Scoring - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/16/2005 12:18:33 PM · #1

Another question for the masses, does the name someone gives a picture ever influence how you score a picture? Or in how you interpret a picture?

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

05/16/2005 12:35:08 PM · #2

yes because half the time we cant figure out what the photo has to do with the challenge until we read the title...but sometimes i like the use of titles it enhances a photos character.

Originally posted by Alienyst:

Another question for the masses, does the name someone gives a picture ever influence how you score a picture? Or in how you interpret a picture?

sofapez

Canon EOS-10D

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

05/16/2005 12:42:41 PM · #3

An Image should stand on its own, the title is only supposed to be like an "identifier" which for all intents and purposes could be a number. I really pay little attention to a title, usually as an afterthought or curiousity... Image authors should not rely on the title to let a viewer know what the image is about.

The other thread "score triangle" (I think) covers this in part.

Message edited by author 2005-05-16 12:43:30.

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/16/2005 12:43:16 PM · #4

My title in triangles has hurt my photo - it is a good title, but has several meanings. One person at least has voted me down for my title and told me so. She misunnderstood the meaning of the title, told me that the part of the image to which the title relates does not contain triangles, and that I should have had the title focus on a different feature of my image that contained lots of good triangles.

So yes!

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/16/2005 12:44:21 PM · #5

Originally posted by Alienyst:

Another question for the masses, does the name someone gives a picture ever influence how you score a picture? Or in how you interpret a picture?

No... I rarely read titles... though I appreciate clever and funny titles. To me the only thing that really matters is the image itself. I would never penalize an image for the photographer's poor choice of title.

Message edited by author 2005-05-16 12:46:13.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/16/2005 12:45:36 PM · #6

I'm not going to deduct points for badly titled photos, but a title that does enhance a photo could raise the rating for the photo, as for me that shows how the photographer has also extended his creativity, etc, to go beyond just the shot and image processing.

I also tend to prefer simple titles with few word(s) that sum up the shot, rather than full sentences.

Take Cutter's red ribbon on outside looking in. The shot is evocative and hints at the story that's going on. The title confirms it, and sums it up nicely.

Message edited by author 2005-05-16 12:46:36.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

05/16/2005 12:46:05 PM · #7

IMO, the image and the title are both part of the finished work. An exceptional title can very much enhance the emotion conveyed by the photo, and a poor title can detract from the impact.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

05/16/2005 12:51:37 PM · #8

Just entered into my first challenge. Due to time constraints, and other issues, I was unable to take a quality photo. Wanted to enter, just to see what would happen. I think I've gotten an unusually high number of views for a relatively mediocre image. Pretty sure the title is what piqued interest and got the views and votes.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/16/2005 12:53:08 PM · #9

I never look at the title.

Beagleboy

Canon EOS-30D

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

05/16/2005 01:01:24 PM · #10

Originally posted by kirbic:

IMO, the image and the title are both part of the finished work. An exceptional title can very much enhance the emotion conveyed by the photo, and a poor title can detract from the impact.

I agree. The title can affect the image score. Usually not more than +1 and very, very rarely -1 when I vote. I usually try to come up with half-decent titles for my images. I also try to avoid very long titles, but that doesn't always work.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/16/2005 01:04:46 PM · #11

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Roxanne, I do not recommend submitting an image that even you do not think is good. Why set yourself up for failure? Take pride in your work. Do the best you can and you will be rewarded.

BTW, welcome to DPC. By participating you are sure to improve the quality of your photography. Just have fun and don't take things to seriously and you will be fine.

mrsmaxsmart

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 22-55mm f/4.0-5.6 USM

05/16/2005 01:06:05 PM · #12

Originally posted by sofapez:

An Image should stand on its own, the title is only supposed to be like an "identifier" which for all intents and purposes could be a number.

I disagree. But then this is all just opinion. I think that artwork no matter if it be a photo, movie or book, can be enhanced greatly by the title. Now, I only mark off if they do not title it at all. But that is just how I do it. Not written in stone.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

05/16/2005 01:07:20 PM · #13

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

I'm sure the image would do well, and that you're being overly humble. Welcome and good luck :)

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

05/16/2005 01:16:51 PM · #14

"I'm sure the image would do well, and that you're being overly humble. Welcome and good luck :)"

Thanks for the positive words. It's certainly not my best work, so it will be fun to show what I'm really capable of in future challenges.

ElGordo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

05/16/2005 01:20:46 PM · #15

A great title enhances the viewing experience, but a bad title can destroy an otherwise favorably viewed image. Of course there are exceptions, though none come to mind at the moment.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/16/2005 01:24:11 PM · #16

Originally posted by ElGordo:

A great title enhances the viewing experience, but a bad title can destroy an otherwise favorably viewed image. Of course there are exceptions, though none come to mind at the moment.

Taking two images from the DPC homepage at the moment, how about the blue in outside looking in being called "A wall with an open door" instead of the much more interesting "Secret Garden," or the blue in five being called "Five matches" instead of "Band of Brothers."

Titles matter...

saracat

Pentax K10D

05/16/2005 01:27:23 PM · #17

Originally posted by rgo:

Originally posted by ElGordo:
A great title enhances the viewing experience, but a bad title can destroy an otherwise favorably viewed image. Of course there are exceptions, though none come to mind at the moment.

Taking two images from the DPC homepage at the moment, how about the blue in outside looking in being called "A wall with an open door" instead of the much more interesting "Secret Garden," or the blue in five being called "Five matches" instead of "Band of Brothers."

Titles matter...

...or calling the Mona Lisa 'Sally'....

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2005 01:29:26 PM · #18

Originally posted by saracat:

...or calling the Mona Lisa 'Sally'....

That's name of a person, what does it tell you about the piece of art?

gaurawa

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/16/2005 01:29:42 PM · #19

Originally posted by kirbic:

IMO, the image and the title are both part of the finished work. An exceptional title can very much enhance the emotion conveyed by the photo, and a poor title can detract from the impact.

Also a single photo can be interpreted in different ways and a title helps the viewer to think in the direction the photographer envisioned the shot.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2005 01:37:18 PM · #20

Originally posted by gaurawa:

Originally posted by kirbic:
IMO, the image and the title are both part of the finished work. An exceptional title can very much enhance the emotion conveyed by the photo, and a poor title can detract from the impact.

Also a single photo can be interpreted in different ways and a title helps the viewer to think in the direction the photographer envisioned the shot.

To me, art is for the viewer, for the most part and should be left to be interpreted by the viewer in their own way. Yes, it's nice when the viewer sees the image in the way we intend but I'd rather they discover that on their own rather than be told.

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

05/16/2005 01:39:58 PM · #21

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by saracat:

...or calling the Mona Lisa 'Sally'....

That's name of a person, what does it tell you about the piece of art?

The Mona Lisa, translating into "Madam Lisa," name, if memory serves, actually came not from Leonardo da Vinci, but rather attributed to the painting by Giorgio Vasari, who included Leonardo in his biography of artists long after Leonardo's death.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/16/2005 01:41:45 PM · #22

Originally posted by kirbic:

IMO, the image and the title are both part of the finished work. An exceptional title can very much enhance the emotion conveyed by the photo, and a poor title can detract from the impact.

Ditto.

I used to be of the "the photo should be able to communicate on it's own" school of thought but actually, I have long since come to realise that the title is just as much part of the presentation as the border/ matte/ frame.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/16/2005 01:42:45 PM · #23

Yes... TITLES matter!!!!

There are two groups of people:

a) those for whom the title matters

b) those for whom the title matters not...

Many (b) people will state that a photo should be judged on it's photographic merrits alone. Many others will state that an appropriate title is part of the artistic elements. Example: would anyone have recognized the art piece "white on white" without the title? Now I personally did not care for the subject matter of that particular piece. But there are many photos and paintings for which the title allows me to enter a deeper depth of understanding for which the image was composed.

Now there are many people who, like me, fall into category (a). And see that a title can help add or reveal additional details about a subject matter.

In my case, and the case of other (a) members - your titled can benefit you or even hurt you as one member pointed out. So it is worth your while to take a bit of time and compose a decent title.

As for those in group (b)...well title doesn't matter for them. So you won't lose any points for having a good title with them...now will you.

;)

buzzmom

Panasonic DMC-FZ20

05/16/2005 01:46:18 PM · #24

i always look at the photo without reading the title...and come up with the score...the title is not really relevant to me...based on one of the comments i got on one of my photos ...............

" Never try to stretch a photo's relevance with a title. Make it obvious ... or reshoot it.

it means more to others.....and thats the beauty of all this to each his/her own

cpanaioti