The importance of a GOOD TITLE

[BEGM83]

If in doubt take a good photo and give it a good title.

Crap photo/subject and crap title = no comments.

unless you post at a time of high traffic then even the worlds best photographer would find their photos dropping like flies as people pat themselves on the back with "nice photo" comments.....

Ahem...

[Davidovic]

Originally Posted by AndCity

I definitely think it depends on the time of day you are posting. Maybe when someone comments on your picture say thank you for the comment at a different time when people in a different time zone are viewing? You could also vary the times you post for the same reason.

Alternatively if you get no comments post it in General Chit Chat and ask why?

Thanks for your reaction AndCity!
Just to clear up one little thing, I did not post in General Chit Chat to ask why my photo "disappeared" in the Share Your Shot section. I'm not worried about that, some other time I'll have more luck (at least I hope so ) I'm still a "beginner" anyway.

My point was to discuss the importance of the title in a forum like this, compared to the actual photo. Because I noticed that some "cool" titles lead to "so so" photos, just as well as "basic" (uninteresting) titles lead to great photos. That's why I think that a thumbnail in the thread-list would be a good thing for everyone. Unfortunately hardly anybody commented that idea yet.

Originally Posted by BEGM83

If in doubt take a good photo and give it a good title.

Crap photo/subject and crap title = no comments.

Ahem...

There is an important difference between the amount of replies (comments) and the amount of views:
- no comments --> must have been a "bad / boring photo"
- no views --> must have been a bad title (or bad timing)

I was actually discussing the amount of views and the importance of a title connected with that.
The amount of comments/replies depends on the photo itself of course, and that's a matter of personal taste and skill of the photographer.
Views come first, comments are another subject.

@ BEGM83: You wrote "take a good photo and give it a good title". To get back to the main point of this thread, how would you define a "good title"?

Would you rather choose an accurate/honest title which might go unnoticed or would you prefer a "Sensational but misleading" one, like Wulf described it? The latter will certainly get more attention, which is important when selling photos, but is it really useful / helpful in a forum like this?

[BEGM83]

For me a good title is one that attention grabs.

I go with the title not the photographer when looking through SYS - and i tend to stick to photos i have an interest in taking, so for me thats people.

So for me....witty, clear and concise titles are the way forwards

[DSJohnson]

Hmmm, being an architecture student this should be easy, but it's not!

I'll give it a shot... how about:

"Little Windows In A Concrete World" or "Little Windows, Concrete World"
"Eyes Of The Mass"

[milosh]

Titles definitely have influence on how many people will open your thread, but only a good photo will get you many replies.
If you have many replies, I think people will open the thread sooner than if you had a good title.

Maybe I would call your photo "Hypnotising windows!".

[bongtschik]

By the way, your photo isn't kind of boring! Not all is the same: two windows on the left are open.
But i agree, you need a more kindy title. I touch my own nose ;-). I can learn a lot on this site.
Thank you, DPS!

[AndCity]

Originally Posted by Davidovic

Thanks for your reaction AndCity!
Just to clear up one little thing, I did not post in General Chit Chat to ask why my photo "disappeared" in the Share Your Shot section. I'm not worried about that, some other time I'll have more luck (at least I hope so ) I'm still a "beginner" anyway.

My point was to discuss the importance of the title in a forum like this, compared to the actual photo. Because I noticed that some "cool" titles lead to "so so" photos, just as well as "basic" (uninteresting) titles lead to great photos. That's why I think that a thumbnail in the thread-list would be a good thing for everyone. Unfortunately hardly anybody commented that idea yet.

Sorry, I wasn't criticising your post, it was my attempt at humour, hence the

For what it's worth, I prefer a title where you can learn what the image is likely to be. Maybe it can be embellished a bit but it should still clearly give a clue of what the picture is. I also tend to have a look if a picture has a lot of views.

...and I liked your picture (should've said that in my first post!) I'm a fan of monchrome type pictures and I liked the contrasts in it.

[Davidovic]

thanks for all the reactions!

Interesting to see that many of us do have a different approach here, as to what attracts them to open/watch a post.

And thanks for the title-suggestions for my photo too I liked the "Eyes of the mass" suggestion, it's very appropriate.

Originally Posted by AndCity

Sorry, I wasn't criticising your post, it was my attempt at humour, hence the

No worries, I got the humour I just wanted to be sure that I was not misunderstood
Glad you liked my photo!

[jagoble25]

You know I agree with others, a catchy title will set more attention than others. I too get really disappointed when people do mislead you with titles that do not fit. I think your title worked. One thing I hate to admit is that I am very bad about leaving comments or feedback. I don't know if it is shyness or lack of experience so I just don't feel what I have to say is worth it. Sorry for your experience. Oh, like the shot!

[Chip]

For a title for the OP's photo, I likely would've chosen "Unnatural Order" or something like that. Something that's hopefully catchy, but not misleading.

Misleading doesn't seem a good idea to me.

My 2 cents.