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Should a photograph have a title?
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Mar 19, 2018 22:59:37   #
Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)
 
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?



YES !!!
YES !!!...

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Mar 19, 2018 23:23:35   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Personally, I just as at ease without as with.
--Bob
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)

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Mar 19, 2018 23:39:39   #
pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ
 
Sometimes a title gives the viewer a little more of an idea what the photographer saw in the photo. When exhibiting in a show or contest I don't think it is really proper to put a title on the photo. Although, when I exhibit at the local cultural arts center, you must put a title on the card which accompanies the photo. And, they are judged in the contest. I personally don't have any preference. I never have titles printed on the finished photo. Have a GREAT DAY!

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Mar 19, 2018 23:59:29   #
Bar Loc: da 'YouPee', eh!
 
As Bob watched the ball bounce off the stick... Some photo's can be turned into memes. To title or not is simply up to you. For Facebook and other social media, I suggest giving it a title or some silly meme.

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Mar 20, 2018 00:07:21   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
Sometimes my pictures get a lot more than a title - they are half of a 'multi media' presentation.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-420762-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473004-1.html

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Mar 20, 2018 01:41:08   #
pbferst
 
I don't think it's a black and white answer. Some, a title may help, for example, a landscape ; sure it does not distract from the image with or without a title but a viewer may want to know where it is. Some times the image is the message. In a camera club I judge at we had a delightful picture titled "Lady in green hat", well the real object of interest was not the small insignificant hat but the necklace she wore. The ensure storm if discussion was all about the title and little discussed about the image.... Go figure. You have to love the diversity as photographers in the world we live in. 🤣🤣

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Mar 20, 2018 03:56:25   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
A title to a photograph will not alter or improve the image at all.
However, I personally always try to offer a title relative to the subject.

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Mar 20, 2018 04:45:18   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)


Howard, I feel if a pic needs a title to help it along, its already failed as an image.
That's like saturating an image to make it more appealing!
In a nature competition once, I gave a bird image, besides the common name and species, a short description, something like, " Bird Resting", and I was knocked from 1st place to 2nd because the judge said I had NO idea if that bird was resting anymore than if it might be sick!!!
Take a page from Cindy Sherman's playbook, I think she knows! Just my opinion.
SS

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Mar 20, 2018 06:14:06   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)

The title does not help in the slightest. A photograph should stand on its own. If it needs a title to enhance its meaning, then it's not a very good photograph.

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Mar 20, 2018 06:15:57   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
SharpShooter wrote:
Howard, I feel if a pic needs a title to help it along, its already failed as an image.
That's like saturating an image to make it more appealing!
In a nature competition once, I gave a bird image, besides the common name and species, a short description, something like, " Bird Resting", and I was knocked from 1st place to 2nd because the judge said I had NO idea if that bird was resting anymore than if it might be sick!!!
Take a page from Cindy Sherman's playbook, I think she knows! Just my opinion.
SS
Howard, I feel if a pic needs a title to help it a... (show quote)


I posted my response above this one before I saw yours.

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Mar 20, 2018 06:55:24   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)


Yes and no.

On the one hand, a title can lead the viewer toward your point of view. On the other hand, a title can be totally misleading. In your golf photos, is the ball going into the cup, or did the golfer just miss the shot? The title can convey either idea. I prefer title-less.

We see the same type of thing with all the cute animal pictures on the Web. Do we really need someone to tell us what the kitten or puppy is thinking?

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Mar 20, 2018 07:01:52   #
anotherview Loc: California
 
A photograph stands alone as a visual experience apart from any story or words.

Text associated with a photograph may convey a context or an explanation or a description via a caption, as in photojournalism and in like fields of photography.

For my part, I label my photographs by way of a filename that describes them for context and for information. As an example, a photograph may show an interesting land formation in a national park. Some viewers may want to know that information for their own purposes.

I do not use labels on the face of the photograph primarily because labels distract, even if tiny.
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)

Reply
Mar 20, 2018 07:03:31   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)

To me, in the first image the golfer just missed making the shot. In the second image the title gives me the impression that someone is happy that the golfer just missed making the shot. However, I'm pretty sure that was not your intention when giving it a title. It is always best to let the picture stand on its own and let the viewer take away what they will. Some people will think that the ball is about to roll in, and others will think that the ball hung up on the very edge. Our interpretation of images is part of the joy of viewing them in the first place. A title limits our interpretation and emotional reaction.

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Mar 20, 2018 07:05:49   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Howard5252 wrote:
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judges who did not want titles on the competition entries. There are times where a snappy title might improve the photograph - a photograph that would otherwise fail on its own. An example I'll use actually occured ... the photo was of a woman wearing a bathing suit laying on the beach on her back. No big deal - a so/so image. The title was "Twin Peaks" (at a time when that show was all the rage). Suddenly everyone saw a wonderful photograph.
I have attached two images - one without a title and one with a title. Does the title change your opinion of the image?
Many years ago I belonged to a club that used judg... (show quote)


No. An image should stand alone.

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Mar 20, 2018 07:30:24   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
Kmgw9v wrote:
No. An image should stand alone.

Completely agree.

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