Finding the Right Title for Your Photograph
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 @ 2:37 PM (not yet rated)
Take a look at the gallery of prints that Neil and Miriam Haugen are entering in competition this year and give some suggestions for titles!
Have you decided to enter print competition? Good for you. There is no better way to learn than to put your images out there and see how they stack up. Finding a competition where you can get feedback and talk with the judges is best.
Some competitions allow you to put a title on your image and some (the Professional Photographers of America and it's affiliates, for example) require titles. I can hear your screams, now, "I am not a writer. I am a photographer. I can't think of creative titles!" I hear you. But a good title can really make a print while a bad one can leave the judges cold, or puzzled, or groaning inwardly (not good).
Why titles? The judges have a limited amount of time to look at your image and make a decision before moving onto the next image. Your photograph must have technical quality, of course, but it must have visual and emotional impact, as well. The title helps the judge to understand the story that you are trying to convey in this image in a short period of time.
A good title is not trite or over used. If you see "Sunset Serande" used as a title again and again, then it is best to try to come up with something else.
A good title is also not difficult for the average person to understand. Obscure references to the inner play of Dungeons and Dragons, for instance, would not be a good choice unless you know the judges are all gaming nerds. Anything that requires specialized knowledge to "get" like knowing a foreign language are to be avoided. Assume that the judges have a sixth grade education and know a little about pop culture and you should be good to go.
Speaking of pop culture, song titles and movie titles are good resources for print titles. They are crafted to ellicit emotion. This is what you want... an emotional response from the judges.
So grab a group of friends and a bottle of wine and ask them to sit with you to brainstorm titles for your images. This is definately a right brain activity and I find it is best done with a group of people relaxed and having fun. Write down every idea that comes out, no matter how bad it is. Sometimes that aweful title is the inspiration for the perfect one.
Oh, and don't forget to take a look at Neil and Miriam's gallery and give them suggestions for titles.
