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11/13/2002 10:29:33 AM · #1 |
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11/13/2002 10:39:40 AM · #2 |
I think title does matter. As far as DPchallenge contests, it seems as though its not an important factor in determining the photos' rating but people in fact do take the title in consideration.
Some images alone cannot tell the whole story, but when put together with a title, it all makes sense, for example the link Above in Gordon's post. |
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11/13/2002 10:44:51 AM · #3 |
A co-worker saw the shot passing by my cube and said, "Hmmm, interesting...". After a closer look at the title, that changed to "Wow... Powerful image!"...
An "Untitled" by any other name would smell as sweet?
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11/13/2002 10:56:05 AM · #4 |
I knew right away what it was about, and it gave me a sinking feeling. Then I read the title which validated the emotions the image elicited.
The title is important, yes, but I feel it is a part of the photo - that the photo speaks for itself, and does not serve to explain it. Of course, in this case that could be because of life experience. Maybe someone younger than me wouldn't "get it" right away... generation gap... without the title.
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11/13/2002 11:13:23 AM · #5 |
I know I certainly didn't 'get it' until I read the title.
The title doesn't make or change the image, but it does place it
in a context, which imparts a lot more emotional content to the
subject.
Now what if the photographer had take that shot of any old
glasses on a table in his home in Florida and then given it that
title. Same impact ? A fraud ? |
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11/13/2002 11:15:35 AM · #6 |
A title can be another element of a photograph and can have an effect similar to the inclusion or exclusion of a physical component of the shot. Change an element and you change the context, change the context and you change the meaning. There are photographs that are able to stand on their own (without a title) as there is enough context available within the photo to complete the communication between photographer and viewer. Other times, as in the shot Gordon has brought to our attention, the context cannot exist without the help of the title. Even then the communication may be incomplete because the context may not be relevant to the viewer, if their experiences do not allow an understanding or comprehension of the situation described or presented. Perhaps this is why we encounter some of the difficulties within the challenges. One person's context may not match another's so a lack of communication ensues. One of the neatest things I've learned through DPC is to try to see my photo through others eyes and not just within the context I shot it in.
Weird, Gordon and Karen brought up the very points I was trying to make while I was typing them in.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/13/2002 4:14:45 PM.
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11/13/2002 11:17:20 AM · #7 |
The title along with the photo is emotional with a punch.
Maybe 'some' photos don't need a title, while others do.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/13/2002 4:14:32 PM.
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11/13/2002 11:27:05 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
I knew right away what it was about, and it gave me a sinking feeling. Then I read the title which validated the emotions the image elicited.
The title is important, yes, but I feel it is a part of the photo - that the photo speaks for itself, and does not serve to explain it. Of course, in this case that could be because of life experience. Maybe someone younger than me wouldn't "get it" right away... generation gap... without the title.
I had virtually the same experience as Karen.
We have titles, so I use them as best can. Since some folks will always like them, some hate them, and some will ignore them, I don't think there's much point in worrying about it. When we can't use them, either my scores or my photos may change, but I don't really expect to have to deal with that anytime soon... |
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11/13/2002 11:29:51 AM · #9 |
Based on some of the responses I got here and on Photosig to Feeding Time in the Reptile House, I don't think it matters if it's a fraud or not.
Although the comments aren't there anymore, I got chewed out by a couple of people at Photosig who couldn't believe I'd taken a picture of something so "horrible" even though I quite clearly spelled out in the comments exactly how I'd captured the image. (Kind of like the "Cup of Blood" from the recent Myths challenge.)
For me, this was a case of trying to get viewers to see fear from a certain standpoint, but, since many didn't read the title, they saw something completely different. (Fear of rodents instead of the intended fear of being fed to something.)
So, yet again, I stand firmly in favor of using titles with Photos. But I mean precisely that. A title is NOT the same as an explanation/rationalization/justification. Calling my photo "Feeding Time in the Reptile House" sets a context, as does the title of the photo Gordon linked to. If I'd called it, "The Fear of a Rodent of Being Eaten" -- well, I hope I would have been stoned by fellow dpc-ers.
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11/13/2002 11:48:13 AM · #10 |
| O.K. Yo'all know I want both titles and descriptions. Do any of you remember the shot I submitted for the Garbage challenge, Throwing Baby Out With The Bathwater. With the title, some people "got it", but even with that title, many people didn't. The words and the photo were an exact match, but still I managed to confused people. I would bet even money that w/o the title, at most 1 out of 50 would have "gotten it". With a full description talking about the quality of ideas, and so forth, maybe more people would have "gotten the shot". It told the complete story in the photo, but it's establishing a connection with your viewer that really counts. (This is a popularity contest, right?) |
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