I've had this dilemma for a while. If I post photos on my blog or, very rarely, facebook/twitter, I don't have to name them. But here on dA, it's obligatory. I know it's for a reason, and to categorize and archive and organize thousands of images properly, but I think it can also take away from (or enhance/contribute to) a photo. So the question I am asking myself (and anyone that cares to read these lines) is: does naming the photographs help or degrade the viewing experience in any way? Can naming a photograph help to keep the viewer searching for a detail that is not evident in the work at first glance, but is crucial to the overall understanding of it? Or can the photo's title distract, annoy, or even condescend to the viewer? Namely, can explaining the goings on in the photo "reveal" the photo too quickly, making it uninteresting to view, or, even create a conflict with the viewer's interpretation or expectations?

So, can naming a photograph make the photo itself better, or perhaps worse? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this.

Good light!
Thomas