I think that title complete the photographer vision of his photo, so as long it's his vision he can call it as he want, but if he is the photographer willing to accept the cirtique on his photo he should also accept the cirtique on the title as well, as for the voter they should consider that the title is just a part of the photo concept, because the photo it self say it all.
As many have said, titles are part of the total presentation.
In this case, I don't think the comment is rude, offensive or wrong. I do think you are being a little thin skinned and closed minded if you cannot accept it and move on.
Like others have said, I too have many peeves when it comes to titles: shoehorned shots - a title does NOT make it fit a challenge; incorrectly spelled words in a title - doesn't make a difference if English is not your first language, if you don't care enough to spell your title correctly don't expect it to not affect my impression; explanations - almost as bad and sometimes worse than the misspelled word, if you have to explain the technicals or the reasons or whatever in your title, the shot obviously is lacking something otherwise there would be no need to explain. There are others...
Funny how when one says "case closed," it rarely is. ;-)
I'm of the "a photo should stand on its own" school, but not rigid about it. I generally try not to look at the title until I've got a first impression.
EDIT: to the OP, I think "blunt" is a better word to describe the comment. And no, I don't think it was rude of you to ask your question.
I dont get those who rate a photo based on its title. The only time I can see it being an issue if its offensive. But I havent come across that yet. People need to focus on what matters rather nit pick on stupid things like this.
I don't usually change my vote based on a title ...conciously. However, if I a title is inappropriate I imagine that I might vote it down unconciously.
Seriously though: A title should complement the shot. I find that users will use the title to help shoehorn their entry into a given challenge. I think that the title should be based on the shot and not the challenge it was entered in. If the only connection to the challenge is the title? I am probably not going to vote it highly.
Another thing I dislike? (Just venting here): Putting smilies into a title and other internet symbols. I imagine most of us have gone into an art gallery at one time or another and guess what? No smilies on the titles.
Going to the Mona Lisa example: If it were named "Why is she smiling? :)" I would probably enjoy it less.
its my opinion that a title can affect an image in -some- peoples minds, but not all; that some people will value the merits of photography above a name, or the subject matter and their likes or dislikes (ie: its about composition/color/lighting/interest/subject matter/ etc...) a rose by any-other name and all that yada-yada... sure some people will vote down for titles that confuse them, or that they dislike or don't like- why not just put a ** in your titlebox or a ~ or write "by anon author" if wary of your title being critiqued- ? its impossible to please everyone- infact art itself does -not- please everyone, it raises the hackles on some people - it doesn't make it less artistic, or less appealing- sure someone may like a photo of a rose to say "ROSE" or a sky to say "SKY" but there will be someone who titles a rose "TREE" and who really cares if that person believes that rose is a tree? perhaps to them it -is- a tree? (just an example of looking through the -artists- eyes) its difficult to do; and I find myself sometimes needing to say "this isnt' about -me- its about the -art-" --someone can come on here after a bad day and say "OH I HATE THAT NAME- THATS MY BOSS'S NAME AND ALL THEY DO IS GIVE ME CRAP" and rate it low-- we can't change -that- unfortunatly- same goes for subject-matter... some peoples lives will influence their voting; perhaps subconsciously my voting is influenced by life in general as an artist myself? that is why we have such a wide-variety of voters; sure we all hate those 1's in our scoreboard afterwards because it makes us think "is my art that bad?" but I -try- to remember that some people -do- try to fix the voting in their favor (unfortunatly) and vote within the lows rather than the highs (hopefully the fact that I vote among the highs keeps some of that balance back into perspective) the voters will do as the voters will do- one cannot control them, one musn't try- or one might go insane :) :-D just my opinion :)
Another thing I dislike? (Just venting here): Putting smilies into a title and other internet symbols. I imagine most of us have gone into an art gallery at one time or another and guess what? No smilies on the titles.
Going to the Mona Lisa example: If it were named "Why is she smiling? :)" I would probably enjoy it less.
Thats just my opinion.
case and point- one cannot please everyone :) personally I enjoy some symbolisim in a title sometimes :) it gives the title a little touch of art itself :-D but that's my differing opinon/ doesn't mean eithe rone is right or wrong- just that each individual is diffrent and that is what makes this world an interesting place to live :) :-D
The way I score a challenge has about %.01 to do with the title, and wouldn't consider downvoting it because of one, let alone make a comment like that.
Obviously, not everyone scores challenges the way you do.
Going to the Mona Lisa example: If it were named "Why is she smiling? :)" I would probably enjoy it less.
But, isn't that the point...thought was put into the title and it helps to form the overall feel of the work.
His "Mona Lisa" example isn't so much thoughtful as it is a dumbing down of the painting by hollering a vapid opinion via an artificially constructed title. Its YouTube-esque.
OK, I'll out myself! I left the comment, and I stand by it. I scored the image well. When I look at images, I take stock on what I feel. I truly enjoyed the image and the lighting, and this was not changed by the title. However, the title dramatically changes what is implied (my own presumption of course, but that is art),i.e. what I percieve the photographer is trying to express. Why else give it that title? My titles are generally fact, a point of reference, although I have titled images to help guide the viewer to my goal. My disclaimer...I've never won a ribbon and I don't profess to be a fantastic photographer.
I did send a PM essentially stating the above as well, but since this appear to be a hot topic, I decided to post here as well.
I think when getting any kind of comment it is best to remember the person commenting is giving their impression or feelings as they looked at the image, any and all comments can help us learn and get better. Some comments may be better written and or more constructive than others but they all have a message of thought which help us understand what people thought when they viewed the image.
On the plus side any time you get a comment the voter spent more that the normal 3.2 seconds viewing time(totally off the top of my head, it may be 3.6 seconds) which shows they really connected either positively or negastively and are willing to share their thoughts.
If the mona lisa was called "dude dressed in drag" would it have been any less of a painting?
I think this is an excellent question.
Would it have been less of a painting ? Technically - no. Not in terms of pigments, shape, light, shade etc.
In terms of viewer empathy and understanding of the image ? well the title would completely transform the viewers experience of looking at the same piece of artwork.
Because now the viewer would now look at the image in a different light. Instead of a simple descriptive title referring to the wife of a wealthy Florentine Silk Merchant, you would now have a title with a much more casual tone and the direct statement that you are being presented with a man dressed as a woman.
Some people may then be intrigued by this title - some may be put off by it.
Titles can have a direct influence on how we understand the visual information presented to us.
It may be worth noting that "Mona Lisa" hangs in the Louvre with this title: "Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo". It has been popularly known by two names — "Mona Lisa" (Mona is a contraction of madonna, Lisa is the model's name) and "la Gioconda", a pun on her married name and the idea of "jovial lady". People seem to have had a habit of trying to "name" (or title) this work for a long time.
Hi,
There are many ppl at this site that can be more gentle with their comments, lots of ppl here don't bother how their comment would be received, they might be right regarding the point it self, But I am sure there would be better way of providing the comment.
About my self, I do my best not to hurt any one's feelings when giving a comment, but I am sure it is not the case always in here.
Couple of examples, the food challenge, I used a known brand dresser to decorate my subject, and one of the comments I received was that this dresser looks like dog food, I don't know about dogs eating dressers, but I think this was really rude comment.
Another members that I receive comments from them regularly, tend to be more criticizing than they should be, for example my latest picture in the free study, that still under voting, I received a comment saying it is too much HDR!! while the picture is not HDR at all!! it is a single frame Jpeg and that’s it.
What I am trying to say is, yes there are many rude comments in here, rude ppl, ppl with no knowledge that couldn't care less about how you will feel about their comment.
My advice is .. grow a thick skin and move on, and learn how to ignore such comments.
all the best,
It is possible that both comments are saying the same thing,the image looks a little over processed in some way to that particular viewer. Does that mean they are? Maybe yes, maybe no. It could be differences in the monitor for editing and the monitor for viewing or personal taste. Either way, they are kind enough to let you know that your image didn't come across as well as you had hoped it would.
Tim
Originally posted by EL-GHOOL:
Hi,
There are many ppl at this site that can be more gentle with their comments, lots of ppl here don't bother how their comment would be received, they might be right regarding the point it self, But I am sure there would be better way of providing the comment.
About my self, I do my best not to hurt any one's feelings when giving a comment, but I am sure it is not the case always in here.
Couple of examples, the food challenge, I used a known brand dresser to decorate my subject, and one of the comments I received was that this dresser looks like dog food, I don't know about dogs eating dressers, but I think this was really rude comment.
Another members that I receive comments from them regularly, tend to be more criticizing than they should be, for example my latest picture in the free study, that still under voting, I received a comment saying it is too much HDR!! while the picture is not HDR at all!! it is a single frame Jpeg and that’s it.
What I am trying to say is, yes there are many rude comments in here, rude ppl, ppl with no knowledge that couldn't care less about how you will feel about their comment.
My advice is .. grow a thick skin and move on, and learn how to ignore such comments.
all the best,
