{"id":8931,"date":"2021-07-04T16:17:53","date_gmt":"2021-07-04T16:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.johnpaulcaponigro.com\/blog\/?p=8931"},"modified":"2021-07-04T21:29:44","modified_gmt":"2021-07-04T21:29:44","slug":"how-to-title-your-images","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.johnpaulcaponigro.com\/blog\/8931\/how-to-title-your-images\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Title Your Images"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Neko Harbor, Antarctica, 2007<\/em><\/p>\n

Watch how the focus shifts when these alternate titles are used.<\/p>\n

Freezing Point,\u00a0<\/em>Glacial Retreat, <\/em>Blue,\u00a0<\/em>Constellation<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When in doubt, when selecting titles for your images keep them simple and neutral. Less is more, more or less.<\/p>\n

Good titles complement works by giving viewers more relevant information that makes their experience richer, indicating its creator\u2019s relationship towards a subject and medium and audience, suggesting but not limiting attention to dimensions of a work that might otherwise remain overlooked, all the while leaving room for viewer\u2019s extended interpretation.<\/p>\n

Bad titles dominate or subvert works by attempting to make up for what\u2019s missing, focus attention on one aspect of work and deflect attention from others, add heavy-handed interpretation leaving less room for viewer participation, or tell viewers rather than show them.<\/p>\n

To avoid bad titles, rather than becoming a master of language, keep it simple. While there are notable examples where this maxim has been defied with success \u00ad\u2013 singer\/songwriter Fiona Apple titled one of her albums with a complete poem containing over four hundred characters causing a buzz-worthy stir which reinforced her reputation for being both poetic and eccentric \u00ad\u2013 at a minimum, it takes a significant flair for style or even genius to pull a stunt like this off.<\/p>\n

You might be tempted to keep it really simple. Remember, Untitled<\/em> is still a title. It\u2019s the most neutral to the point of being nondescript and almost uninformative. Sometimes it works \u2013 well. Many times, it\u2019s not enough. But eliminating it altogether and simply stating the medium used is almost always never enough.<\/p>\n

In a majority of cases, just a little more will do just fine. The classic convention for titling an image is to identify the subject (name the person, place or thing) and add the date of creation: if it\u2019s a photograph use the date of exposure; if it\u2019s a painting use the date of completion; if it\u2019s a composite photograph default to the latter; if it\u2019s an image of a historic event add the date of the event in the first part of the title and add the date of completion of the image.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the times when this convention doesn\u2019t fit that more creativity is warranted.<\/p>\n

Use this list as a springboard for exploring your options.<\/p>\n

1 \u00a0 \u00a0 List the subject and date \u2013 Neko Harbor, Antarctica, 2007<\/em>.
\n2 \u00a0 \u00a0 State a relationship to the subject, yours or someone else\u2019s; i.e. My Mother<\/em> or Her Home<\/em>.
\n3 \u00a0 \u00a0 Use a general category for the subject rather than an individual one, such as Statistic.<\/em>
\n4 \u00a0 \u00a0 Name a formal element in the work \u2013 number, shape, color, size, etc.
\n5 \u00a0 \u00a0 Refer to another medium, such as poetic or musical form.
\n6 \u00a0 \u00a0 Loosely interpret the subject; similes and metaphors often work well here, such as Smells Like Teen Spirit<\/em>.
\n7 \u00a0 \u00a0 Use a technical term, related to the subject or the creation of the work, Ascent<\/em> or Descent<\/em> for example.
\n8 \u00a0 \u00a0 State what the subject is not \u2013 Is Not Untitled<\/em>.
\n9 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Create a contradiction \u00ad\u2013 think of Magritte\u2019s famous painting of a pipe entitled This Is Not A Pipe.<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll no doubt find ways to expand this list.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting to note that when you keep it simple and conventional, specificity works in your favor, yet the more creative and unconventional you get the more ambiguity, sometimes coupled with a dose of irony or contradiction, works in your favor
\nYou may hit upon one ingenious title. If you should be so lucky quickly ask yourself, \u201cCan you repeat it?\u201d One genius title amid a cluster of duds will stand out like a sore thumb. Bodies of work beg some consistency. That said, you may find that varying your titling conventions between different projects is an effective way to further differentiate them.<\/p>\n

Consider creating a standard for your titles, after giving considerable thought to both its short and long-term effects on the way audiences will respond to you work. There are many benefits to creating a consistent practice, including the creation and fulfillment of expectations and the reduction of the time and energy you put into resolving new terms. This will also call more attention to the times when you deviate from your standards, which can be advantageous if used strategically.<\/p>\n

Like your art, titles are all about communication. Titles become a part of your art. Make sure your titles make a contribution to effectively communicating what you want to communicate. It\u2019s worth the time you invest to put some thought into how you title your work.<\/p>\n

How do you title your work?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Read How I Title My Images.<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\nRead more about how writing can help stimulate your creativity.<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\nLearn more in my digital photography and digital printing workshops.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Neko Harbor, Antarctica, 2007 Watch how the focus shifts when these alternate titles are used. Freezing Point,\u00a0Glacial Retreat, Blue,\u00a0Constellation   When in doubt, when selecting titles for your images keep them simple and neutral. Less is more, more or less. 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