windshoppe Loc: Arizona

I'll preface my question and comments with the admission that I'm a novice when it comes to photo competitions. I've only recently joined two camera clubs and begun participating in their competitions so my experience is quite limited. So this question is directed mostly to those of you who have experience in judging such competitions or who regularly submit entries. Is it important to present the title along with the photo when being judged or should the image stand on its own without the title being attached? I ask the question because the two clubs that I belong to have different approaches. In one instance the photo is presented without title and one hears what the title is only after the image has been judged and is announced along with the name of the creator of the image. In the second instance the titles are presented along with the image to be judged. I realize that in perhaps the majority of instances titles are given to images by their creators because they are required and little thought may be given to them. In my limited experience, however, I have had a small handful of images for which I felt that a title is necessary in order to direct the judges' attention to what the image is intended to convey and that without it some judges would be hard pressed to understand the intention of the shot in the 10 seconds or so that it is presented. I'm of course referring here to digital images. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

" a title is necessary in order to direct the judges' attention to what the image is intended to convey and that without it some judges would be hard pressed to understand the intention"

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I personally cannot imagine submitting an image to a competition without a thoughtfully considered title. I cannot recall the last time I saw a photograph or painting or other work of art on display in a gallery or museum without at least a title. Many times, an "artist's statement" is also posted. In my mind, absent at least a title, the only meaningful comments a judge could make would be on the technical merits of the work, since he could have no idea of intent or situation.

I have three friends who are art teachers. I occasionally substitute for them, and on some occasions I am teamed with them when I substitute for other teachers. They all require that a title and artist's statement accompany any work submitted for grading. Granted, in some cases, information may be witheld during initial class critiques or discussion, but it always becomes part of the discussion. Mot of the time the title at least is revealed as part of the introduction of the work.

In my contest experience, many judges of local contests do not have broad experience or exposure to a lot of subjects that others and I have submitted. On several occasions they have made really inane and inappropriate comments about works submitted that exposed completely inaccurate assumptions made on their part. In some cases, those wrong assumptions caused them to score works wrongly in a way that unfairly affected the outcome of the competition. That has happened to me once, but I have seen it happen to others on multiple occasions.

Minitman Loc: Centreville, Virginia

I'm just getting back into photography, but was very active in the late 70's through early 90's. I have judged international competitions for PSA where you just have a very few seconds (typically 5) for each photo, so there is no time for mention of title or maker.

While I have never entered, or judged, a digital competition I would offer that if the photo needs a title to identify it, it is probably not strong enough to fair well in competition. My own experience in discussion with other judges was if we can't recognize what the photo is, or what its message is, it gets a very low score.

Hopefully, some members with relevant experience in digital competitions will give you current advice.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

I can certainly relate to your last comment. A while back I submitted a photo to a major PSA competition and it was disqualified. It was a photo of an iceberg in Antarctica with a mountain backdrop. The judges' comment was that it appeared to have been selectively colorized which is against the rules. This judge apparently had never been to Antarctica, as the photo was barely processed, let alone "selectively colorized."

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Actually, the image should stand on its own and if the viewer can't figure something out, without a title to explain it, then the photographer has missed the mark. However, any club can make up whatever rules it wants and that's the end of the story, like it or not.

TreborLow

I,too, am in two clubs with opposite standards. What can ameliorate the situation is the title of the Assigned Topic. That club has no titles, but two categories; Assigned and Open. The other club has no titles and with the current Covid limitations on travel, no Assigned group. Thus no titles and All in Open group.
What I have found is that Photo Club competition is quite specialized. In general, the image need "Pop!" It is usually better to severely crop than leave negative space. Minor distractions are not well tolerated. Abstracts are rarely well appreciated. However, Judges do vary considerably. Enjoy the feedback and don't measure yourself by the criteria of others.
Stay safe,
Bob

TreborLow

I,too, am in two clubs with opposite standards. What can ameliorate the situation is the title of the Assigned Topic. That club has no titles, but two categories; Assigned and Open. The other club has no titles and with the current Covid limitations on travel, no Assigned group. Thus no titles and All in Open group.
What I have found is that Photo Club competition is quite specialized. In general, the image need "Pop!" It is usually better to severely crop than leave negative space. Minor distractions are not well tolerated. Abstracts are rarely well appreciated. However, Judges do vary considerably. Enjoy the feedback and don't measure yourself by the criteria of others.
Stay safe,
Bob

Quixdraw Loc: x

I do believe, with the reduced attention spans of the digital world, a good title can be useful. It is certainly the case in boosting the number of views when posting here on UHH. Other than in an academic context, where they can require what they wish in classes they teach, I believe, as was attributed to Napoleon "A picture is worth a thousand words.", not supported by a thousand words. JMO!

Ufauxreal

I feel the image should speak for itself with no titles displayed until after it has been judged. This is how the camera club I am in handles it.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

A title is a must for a judge to understand the thought process of the photographer and how well he/she conveyed that in the image.
I am a judge for the Chicago Area Camera Clubs.
Question: Why belong to the club that does not convey the title till after the fact?

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

For our club titles are required, but often the title is very bland like Bird in Flight or Rose. Several judges have stated that they evaluate the images then look at the titles. Sometimes a good title can raise the score and others that direct one away from what turns out to be the primary, but unintended subject resulting in a lowered score. I have slowly learned to carefully make choices of subjects and titles..

Bill

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The judge was pretty much a fool or so ignorant it hurts.

I have never been to Antarctica or the Arctic and I know very well that most of what you get is colorless clear ice and snow that looks white with some color here and there depending on what is in the image.

All you really have to do is regularly read Nat Geo, Smithsonian, or any of a number of photography, cruise or outdoor oriented magazines to be familiar with what those areas look like.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Yes and the way our club does it and we have many PPA members that are serious judges themselves. A title gives the photo direction where if not, some photos just wander. Many years back, I was judging a photo a did not read the title and did not give it a very high grade. If my memory serves me it was a white crocodile. I enjoyed the B&W treatment, clarity excellent but a bit much for my taste. Then I looked at the title "Albino Crocodile" and felt completely embarrassed.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

A word of caution. Be very careful that your title is correct. In a case a club member friend of mine entered a beautiful sunset picture of the George Washington Bridge (NJ) but mistakenly titled it "Sunset at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge". The judge loved it but then realized it was mistitled. Instead of DQing it he gave it an "8" (knowing it would have easily gotten a "9") insuring it would not win a prize but not embarrass the maker.