Does a work of art need a title?
Jul 16, 2015 10:04:59 #
If Im asked to critique a photo, I prefer to not see a title or description (who, what, why) so I dont have my first impression influenced. So I was surprised to read that many photo competitions require titles!
What is your opinion? Do you go to art museums and view the work before you read the title, or do you prefer to know what the artist/photographer had in mind in its creation to perhaps better appreciate?
Do you title your own work in a way that attempts to influence the experience of the viewer?
What is your opinion? Do you go to art museums and view the work before you read the title, or do you prefer to know what the artist/photographer had in mind in its creation to perhaps better appreciate?
Do you title your own work in a way that attempts to influence the experience of the viewer?
Jul 16, 2015 10:39:04 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
If Im asked to critique a photo, I prefer to not ... (show quote)
I LIKE titles, but I respect that there are other equally valid opinions. I look at the image first, then the title, then the image again. Sometimes the title cues me to something of the artist's perspective, which is at least second in importance to my own and may indeed change my view or help me have that "aha" moment. A professor of literature had a mantra "look for the songs hidden in eggs". In all art sometimes secondary or even primary messages may be hidden on first/quick look. I admit I feel somewhat hamstrung when required to give no title. But that may be just me, and my affection for words.
An interesting essay on this topic: http://guytal.com/wordpress/2013/07/18/the-title-conundrum/ wrestles with this selfsame question. (Ya'll may get tired of me referencing this photographer but he is such a wonderful writer, and I am, yes, addicted to words).
Great, thought provoking question Linda!
Jul 16, 2015 10:43:28 #
minniev wrote:
... But that may be just me, and my affection for words.
An interesting essay on this topic: http://guytal.com/wordpress/2013/07/18/the-title-conundrum/ wrestles with this selfsame question.
...Great, thought provoking question Linda!
An interesting essay on this topic: http://guytal.com/wordpress/2013/07/18/the-title-conundrum/ wrestles with this selfsame question.
...Great, thought provoking question Linda!
You are such an articulate and thoughtful writer, Minnie, it's obvious you have great affection for the medium :)
Thanks so much for the link; going to read it right now. And I appreciate that you enjoyed the topic. I'm looking forward to more opinions!
Jul 16, 2015 10:52:03 #
Titles can make sense to me, but no one else that looks. Titles can be confusing, enlightening, boring, funny. If a title works for you then use it, but I feel it depends on the photographer/artist as to whether a title works or not. This answer to this one I think, boils down to personal preference.
Jul 16, 2015 11:01:27 #
Singing Swan wrote:
Titles can make sense to me, but no one else that looks. Titles can be confusing, enlightening, boring, funny. If a title works for you then use it, but I feel it depends on the photographer/artist as to whether a title works or not. This answer to this one I think, boils down to personal preference.
Thanks so much for your viewpoint, Swan. Do you title your work? I haven't seen any of your photos on UHH for a long, long time :) Do you have a website you can share?
Jul 16, 2015 11:12:42 #
I read Minnley essay attachment. Up till now I have not given this subject much thought. Thinking about it I realized more times than not I view the image first than the title. Some times the title clarifies what I am viewing, and will go back to reconsider the image.I feel after my response I should be a politician. I am not sure I answered your question completely.
Jul 16, 2015 11:13:41 #
I like titles. That having been said, there are times when a title ruins the work for me. They're often like playing a caption game, and the caption used by the artist just might seem either childish or ridiculous. But other times, when the title is a perfect match for the image, it can - in my mind - turn an ordinary work into something much more special.
As you can see, my use of such logic puts my ability as an art critic somewhere between Kindergarten and 5th grade. But I have an opinion, and I'm sticking to it. :>)
As you can see, my use of such logic puts my ability as an art critic somewhere between Kindergarten and 5th grade. But I have an opinion, and I'm sticking to it. :>)
Jul 16, 2015 11:29:26 #
NJFrank wrote:
I read Minnley essay attachment. Up till now I have not given this subject much thought. Thinking about it I realized more times than not I view the image first than the title. Some times the title clarifies what I am viewing, and will go back to reconsider the image.I feel after my response I should be a politician. I am not sure I answered your question completely.
I think your response is thorough and interesting :) Thanks so much for posting, NJFrank!
Jul 16, 2015 11:30:19 #
gym wrote:
...But I have an opinion, and I'm sticking to it. :>)
LOL - as well you should, gym! Thanks so much for participating in the discussion.
Jul 16, 2015 12:12:06 #
When I was in school we were required to produce a "Weekly" picture for judging by the entire class. We were also required to give it a title, a process I really hated because I could never think of anything. :cry:
I think I understand both sides of the question: a good title may cause you to go back and look again for something that you didn't see the first time; or a title may completely skew the way you were thinking and therefore limit the process. I guess it comes down to the venue: if they insist on a title, well... But if they don't, I'm cool with "Untitled." :thumbup:
I think I understand both sides of the question: a good title may cause you to go back and look again for something that you didn't see the first time; or a title may completely skew the way you were thinking and therefore limit the process. I guess it comes down to the venue: if they insist on a title, well... But if they don't, I'm cool with "Untitled." :thumbup:
Jul 16, 2015 12:32:46 #
Jul 16, 2015 12:34:31 #
Jul 16, 2015 12:39:53 #
I like titles.
In digital photography, we are pretty much forced to give each image a title -- in one sense. The file on our computer has to have a name. I know some folks probably just use dates or sequential numbers for that purpose, but I have always found a title more useful in finding an image later.
In terms of discussing an image, it is convenient for it to have a name. It is a lot easier to refer to an image called "lost boy" than to have to try and describe "the one you took of the small boy wearing a blue jacket standing in a large empty space."
When I go to a gallery, I guess look at an image first. If I am interested the image, then I usually look at its name and to any other info about it that might be present. I guess I find it interesting to know what an artist had in mind. In fact, sometimes that kind of information causes me to take a second look at the image and see some different things in it.
In digital photography, we are pretty much forced to give each image a title -- in one sense. The file on our computer has to have a name. I know some folks probably just use dates or sequential numbers for that purpose, but I have always found a title more useful in finding an image later.
In terms of discussing an image, it is convenient for it to have a name. It is a lot easier to refer to an image called "lost boy" than to have to try and describe "the one you took of the small boy wearing a blue jacket standing in a large empty space."
When I go to a gallery, I guess look at an image first. If I am interested the image, then I usually look at its name and to any other info about it that might be present. I guess I find it interesting to know what an artist had in mind. In fact, sometimes that kind of information causes me to take a second look at the image and see some different things in it.
Jul 16, 2015 12:41:04 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
If Im asked to critique a photo, I prefer to not ... (show quote)
Here are some thoughts on this topic from my website.
http://davidleegraham.biz/davidleegraham/news/Entries/2012/5/8_Titles_of_Artworks.html
Dave
Jul 16, 2015 12:56:56 #
Chuck_893 wrote:
When I was in school we were required to produce a "Weekly" picture for judging by the entire class. We were also required to give it a title, a process I really hated because I could never think of anything. :cry:
... But if they don't, I'm cool with "Untitled." :thumbup:
... But if they don't, I'm cool with "Untitled." :thumbup:
Thank you Chuck! School scarred many of us :)
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