To name or not to name...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by A.M.Brown on November 14, 2008 at 5:30am

I think it's a good idea to name things, even if it's just to identify it more to your audience. Sometimes I have names in mind before I go shooting so that I have a focus and a goal (those names don't always stick). Other times, post processing suggests a name. The photo "Soft" is because I was playing with soft focus and it's one aspect of the subject's personality. She can be incredibly hard and stubborn and sexy (all at once or seperately), but that shot played up the softer side. It also serves me well for figuring out what I want to do next.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on November 14, 2008 at 8:58am

I agree that to name a shot does add that little something extra.

The title may add humour or give insight to the thoughts of the photographer about when and why they took the shot. Sometimes a title will give just that bit of info that the viewer is asking themselves - like where is this taken or what is the name of the building or place or who is this person/persons in the photo.

When photos are added and the little message on the side main page screen has a title then it is like an invitation to see the photo when a title is read. DSC-007 is not as inviting - as say 'Reflections' for example. I think its a good thing.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole on November 14, 2008 at 11:50am

When I browse around I tend to look at photos that have been named more, but like you tend to not name mine because of lack of thought, lol.

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Permalink Reply by McMonkey on November 14, 2008 at 12:18pm

I don't name my pictures...heck, I haven't even named my dog that I have had for the last 4 yrs...

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Permalink Reply by Scott Near on January 26, 2009 at 2:53am

Hi Edmund. We wouldn't have seen any of your work because, well, it isn't yours is it! Professional photographer for 28 years? No chance. Not even 28 minutes. Professional photothief maybe...
As for naming pictures, Edmund is an expert at removing other REAL photographer's signatures and adding his own. Do not listen to a word this 'man' says - ask one of the many true photographers on MSS instead!

http://www.myshutterspace.com/profiles/blogs/photothief-on-mss-again

Sorry, rant over!

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Permalink Reply by pk on January 27, 2009 at 6:27am

Charlene, I usually name a photo basically what the photo makes me feel at the time when I look at the picture.Pk

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Permalink Reply by Michael on January 27, 2009 at 9:03am

http://www.myshutterspace.com/photo/photo/show?id=1177697%3APhoto%3...

I dont name images..... until I saw this one. (link above) and it was the name that made me go and look at it. A name in my opinion is like "painting between the lines" where you can sometimes steer people into interpreting your image as you did and hopefully they see the little bits you thought of that made that image... Does that make sense???

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Permalink Reply by michael stewart on January 27, 2009 at 9:22am

Definately makes sense.Naming the picture not only gives insight but sometimes feeling or information.Also makes the pic more inviting to viewers who might not normalyy look at your pic.

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Permalink Reply by Carrie Johnson on January 27, 2009 at 10:37am

This goes back to naming paintings long before photography.

A good idea for all of the reasons stated & stated well above.

On MSS in particular I do think it helps to get feedback if that's what you want. I do have a prejudice that goes something like this in my head: "Hey, the photographer couldn't even bother to title the photo, why in the heck should I spend my time looking at it." It's just another way to show you care (about your photo & about your viewers).

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Nahabedian on February 4, 2009 at 5:21pm

I made a blog post on my page on this matter :)

I am definitely FOR naming photos. I personally don't even look at photos whith no name. If a person does not care enough to give even a simple name to a photo, he does not care enough to receive proper feedback too I guess :P

But even simple names are fine you know! "Tree in forest" or "Child 2" is a name... much better that "IMG_2168".

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Permalink Reply by Charlene Nicole on February 4, 2009 at 11:56pm

Thank you all for your opinions. I've since started naming my photos and I agree that it adds that little "something" extra, the finishing touch. Hopefully some creative names will come with time and practice.

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Permalink Reply by AD on February 6, 2009 at 5:22pm

Its really what the picture says to you. For example, on my page there is a photo that I took that is titled The Calm After The Storm. What do your pictures say to you is my point.

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