Are you naming your photos?

9 years 4 months ago #417444 by Richard Taylor
I was reading the article here about Peter Lik selling that photo for $6.5 million called the "Phantom".  Then I jumped over to the article about the 19 most expensive photos sold.  Which BTW looks like it needs to be updated with Peter Lik's new shot.  

Anyway, I think I found the a pattern, and most likely the key to selling photos for millions as Lik, Gursky and Sherman are doing. 

It's because I don't name my photos!  "Phantom", "Rhein II", "Untitled #96".  I'm going to start naming my photos so I can cash in on this secret.  :whistle:  


Okay, seriously.  How many of you are naming your photos? 


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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #417475 by Hassner
 Only the ones I hang in galleries. And then you need to number them. /5, /10, /20, /50, /100, I've even seen /2500.
But then the price lowers a lot.


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9 years 4 months ago #417567 by Soccer Mom
I don't have any hanging in formal galleries.  However I do have a few in my home and they do have names. 

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9 years 4 months ago #417580 by effron
Nope...

Why so serious?
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9 years 4 months ago #417606 by Joves
Why yes _DSC01111 and so on. I think that it is catchy names like that will sell my work. But seriously sometimes I will, but that is mostly because Windows makes me when I am putting some of them into a named folder, and the numbers repeat. As a general rule no though. Now if I was actually putting them up for sale then I most likely would. Then it would be Steamypoo#1 and so on.


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9 years 4 months ago #417612 by hghlndr6
If it's for sale, for a show, for a competition, it gets a name.  Otherwise, they're all _DSCxxxx.
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9 years 4 months ago #417622 by Happy-pixel
The only problem with names is that it compromises the flexibility of the person who is viewing the image.  They tend to view the image bias towards the name you gave the image.  


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9 years 4 months ago #417648 by stuartsbarbie
I do, just so I can look at just a file name and can figure out what it is without haveing to open everything


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9 years 4 months ago #417724 by Tim Chiang
Can't say I do, however would if published.  Perhaps that might be a goal for 2015.


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9 years 4 months ago #417733 by garyrhook

Happy-pixel wrote: The only problem with names is that it compromises the flexibility of the person who is viewing the image.  They tend to view the image bias towards the name you gave the image.  


Or it sets the viewer's expectation and completes the experience. This is what happens in print competitions, and can elevate an otherwise mundane but technically excellent print to winner status.

Titles are required in print competitions.


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9 years 4 months ago #417797 by Joe Peterson

garyrhook wrote:

Happy-pixel wrote: The only problem with names is that it compromises the flexibility of the person who is viewing the image.  They tend to view the image bias towards the name you gave the image.  


Or it sets the viewer's expectation and completes the experience. This is what happens in print competitions, and can elevate an otherwise mundane but technically excellent print to winner status.

Titles are required in print competitions.



+2


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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #417800 by Shadowfixer1

Happy-pixel wrote: The only problem with names is that it compromises the flexibility of the person who is viewing the image.  They tend to view the image bias towards the name you gave the image.  

It's the photographer's vision and idea that he is trying to get across. Some think it should be left up to the viewer but I disagree. The title may give the viewer an insight that they would have never thought of or been aware of. I name my images when put out for public consumption whether by print or online. 
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9 years 4 months ago #417904 by Uplander
No, not really 


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9 years 4 months ago #417946 by Allen D

garyrhook wrote:

Happy-pixel wrote: The only problem with names is that it compromises the flexibility of the person who is viewing the image.  They tend to view the image bias towards the name you gave the image.  


Or it sets the viewer's expectation and completes the experience. This is what happens in print competitions, and can elevate an otherwise mundane but technically excellent print to winner status.

Titles are required in print competitions.



Alternatively the name can be the weak link and leave the viewer wondering and focusing on other areas than the photo.  


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