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07/07/2010 06:18:46 PM · #1 |
I rarely read the titles when I'm voting. I really only read the titles when the photograph especially intrigues me or really confuses me. If I don't understand the connection to the challenge, I read the title. Otherwise, I pretty much ignore the titles.
I don't know that I do it on purpose; I'm just enjoying the photographs more, and the titles rarely interest me. But then again, I absolutely hate trying to come up with titles.
How about you?
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07/07/2010 06:22:58 PM · #2 |
| I try to avoid seeing the title when taking in the image, at first. When I feel I have absorbed sufficient data to be able to cast an educated vote, I consider the title and adjust my rating, if the title (as part of the overall presentation) charges or diminished the image. |
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07/07/2010 08:34:22 PM · #3 |
What  vawendy said.
I look at the title in the two extremes:
[1] The image is great.
[2] The image confuses me for the theme. Funny enough, the title clears it in a majority of the cases because the title tells something totally different (just to shoehorn) than what the image shows.
In fact I am gonna counter my own suggestion from earlier today: it would be good to not show the titles during voting:-) |
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07/07/2010 08:41:01 PM · #4 |
| I read the titles, I think they are part of the package. |
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07/07/2010 08:44:00 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I rarely read the titles when I'm voting. I really only read the titles when the photograph especially intrigues me or really confuses me. If I don't understand the connection to the challenge, I read the title. Otherwise, I pretty much ignore the titles.
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I do the same thing. I try to avoid looking at the title because a lot of the time I think they are rather boring. Of course, some people come up with a fabulous title for a mediocre image. : ) |
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07/07/2010 09:20:56 PM · #6 |
| I can't help reading the titles. Wish I could. |
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07/07/2010 09:29:41 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Gatorguy:
I read the titles, I think they are part of the package. |
OH heck yes! And just as if a garish border can detract, so can a really ill-chosen title. OTOH, a superbly chose title can *make* an image's impact. |
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07/07/2010 09:32:43 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by love:
Of course, some people come up with a fabulous title for a mediocre image. : ) |
Oh.. well.. thank you!!!;-) |
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07/07/2010 10:26:14 PM · #9 |
I used to read every title but since the pixels have been raised to 800 most of the titles don't fit on my screen so I don't bother to scroll down and read them unless I can't figure out how the image meets the challenge. Only then will I scroll down and see if the title clears it up. Usually the title only speaks of how "this image is a shoehorn."
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07/07/2010 10:29:07 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Gatorguy:
I read the titles, I think they are part of the package. |
I agree here. |
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07/07/2010 10:36:58 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by zeuszen:
I try to avoid seeing the title when taking in the image, at first. When I feel I have absorbed sufficient data to be able to cast an educated vote, I consider the title and adjust my rating, if the title (as part of the overall presentation) charges or diminished the image. |
This is pretty much what I do. I wouldn't go so far as to say I avoid it though. It's more like my focus is on the photo instead, and then, after taking it in, I examine the title as well.
ETA: but I do always read them.
Message edited by author 2010-07-07 22:37:12. |
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07/07/2010 10:38:30 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by neophyte:
Originally posted by Gatorguy:
I read the titles, I think they are part of the package. |
I agree here. |
I can see how it's part of the challenge here but when I sell my work I sell it without titles. I don't have my stuff in a gallery or anything that nice as I am an ameture by every sense of the word but the image should really speak for itself. Everyone interprets the image in a different way and I quite enjoy having conversation's with customers that tell me what they see in the image or what it makes them think of.
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07/07/2010 10:38:38 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by neophyte:
Originally posted by Gatorguy:
I read the titles, I think they are part of the package. |
I agree here. |
I third that but with exceptions. I read them for abstract, conceptual, still life kinda stuff to try and get a feel for what the photographer intended. Nature stuff I really couldn't care and sometimes hinders the piece imo. Like a picture of a sunset with the title "another day dies" or something like that. Just seems trite to me since the title was clearly an after thought. My stuff is generally thought of, with title, long before I shoot them so they become part of the piece. I can see and understand both points of view on this topic though... |
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07/07/2010 10:59:19 PM · #14 |
| I read the titles, but I take points off for spelling and grammar. ;-) |
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07/07/2010 11:07:19 PM · #15 |
The title is part of the whole piece as presented for voting.
I will likely score lower something that is "untitled"
Just IMHO.
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07/07/2010 11:11:37 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by SEG:
... but the image should really speak for itself... |
Not to single you out, SEG, because many people have voiced this concept, but I have to say I really don't understand it.
WHY must the image "speak for itself"? Who says that's the rule? I never agreed to play by that rule.
R.
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07/07/2010 11:24:52 PM · #17 |
Personally, the image is primarily what I judge but sometimes the title can really make the photo complete. Such as
and
I appreciate clever titles and will sometimes boost my vote accordingly but I don't believe I've every punished a good or bad shot based on it's title. Just my humble opinion.
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07/08/2010 01:18:29 AM · #18 |
| If the challenge has a title (other than "Free Study") then every entry automatically has a default title anyway ... there ain't no such thing as a truly "untitled" photograph in a themed competition. |
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07/08/2010 01:22:21 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by SEG:
... but the image should really speak for itself... |
Not to single you out, SEG, because many people have voiced this concept, but I have to say I really don't understand it.
WHY must the image "speak for itself"? Who says that's the rule? I never agreed to play by that rule.
R. |
In my opinion, sometimes the title can help provide context to an image and help guide the viewer what the photographer is hoping for you to see. In terms of the challenges though, there are a lot of times the title is really the ONLY connection to the challenge theme and is used to help persuade the voter that the image meets the challenge. In those cases, if I can't tell you met the challenge from what I am seeing it probably didn't meet the challenge. |
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07/08/2010 01:32:08 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by Citadel:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by SEG:
... but the image should really speak for itself... |
Not to single you out, SEG, because many people have voiced this concept, but I have to say I really don't understand it.
WHY must the image "speak for itself"? Who says that's the rule? I never agreed to play by that rule.
R. |
In my opinion, sometimes the title can help provide context to an image and help guide the viewer what the photographer is hoping for you to see. In terms of the challenges though, there are a lot of times the title is really the ONLY connection to the challenge theme and is used to help persuade the voter that the image meets the challenge. In those cases, if I can't tell you met the challenge from what I am seeing it probably didn't meet the challenge. |
But if you can see how it meets the challenge (even obliquely, or in some way you hadn't considered before) after reading the title, doesn't it then, by definition "meet the challenge?"
Sorry, but I think the concept of the "shoehorn" being a somehow "illegitimate" interpretation of the challenge merely stifles creativity and reinforces conformity, and is akin to the semi-solid byproduct of male bovine metabolism ... ;-) |
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07/08/2010 01:35:02 AM · #21 |
| Its rare but the cases I am referring to are the ones where they use the title to explain how the image meets the challenge theme. Guide me with the title? Fine, I'm ok with that. Beat me over the head with it because there's nothing in the frame to support your idea? yeesh.... Its kinda like explaining the punchline to a bad joke. |
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07/08/2010 01:55:40 AM · #22 |
Personally, I would rather not title my images. But since it is required, I have to. I have actually put "N/A" in the title field at times. Do not know if I should have used that as a 'hinting' zone for a possible shoehorn, e.g. this one:
In fact a total of 5 of my entries till date have that as the title. And I solidly believe that if the image has the guts to pull someone's attention, it will do good just by itself. A title will be like decoration. And that's it.
One of my own personal favorites never had any title:
You know. Jus' sayin;-)
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07/08/2010 02:55:16 AM · #23 |
| Well when a picture isn't worth a thousand words just add them in the title. |
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07/08/2010 03:27:09 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by yanko:
Well when a picture isn't worth a thousand words just add them in the title. |
Very well said!!!
What about if it is worth 999 words? ;-) |
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