Writing photo captions is an important part of journalism. You have to choose sentences that are precise and able to communicate the necessary information, because almost all readers have a tendency to observe an image and then its caption to decide whether to read an article. Use the tips below to write captions that intrigue the reader enough to get them to read your articles.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Learn the Basics of Captions
Step 1. Check the accuracy of the facts
This is one of the most important aspects of journalism. If you divulge incorrect information, the article or photo loses credibility. Before uploading or printing a caption, make sure everything you write is true.
Do not print an incorrect caption if you are unable to check the accuracy of the facts, for example because you do not find an appropriate source or because you do not have time. Better not to include information if you are unsure of its validity
Step 2. Describe the items that are not obvious
If a caption just describes what you see in the photo, it's pretty useless. If you have taken a photo of a sunset and the caption says "A sunset", you are not communicating any additional information to the reader. Instead, try to describe the details of the image that are not immediately visible, such as the place, time, year or event immortalized.
- For example, for a photo of a sunset, you could write: "Sunset on the Pacific Ocean Coast, March 2017, from Long Beach, Vancouver Island."
- Also avoid terms such as "is seen", "is portrayed" "looking up" or "above".
Step 3. Don't start a caption with some words
Avoid articles, either definite or indefinite. These terms are too simple and take up valuable space without adding anything. For example, instead of saying "A hawk in the forest", you can write "Hawk gliding in the forest".
- Also avoid starting a caption with someone's name; start with a description and then put the name. For example, do not say "Mario Rossi near Parco Sempione", but "The athlete Mario Rossi near Parco Sempione".
- When describing people in a photo, you can say "from the left". There is no need to write "left to right".
Step 4. Identify the main characters in the photo
If the image includes important people, write who they are. If you know their names, add them (if they haven't asked to remain anonymous). If you don't know them, you can enter a description that makes it clear who they are (for example "Representatives of the protest march in the streets of Rome").
- While it doesn't need to be said, make sure all names are spelled correctly and accompanied by the appropriate title.
- If the photo includes a group of people or if some of those present are not relevant to the article (for example their names are not important), there is no need to write everyone's name in the caption.
Step 5. Try to be as specific as possible
This advice goes hand in hand with the advice on accuracy. If you're not sure where the photo was taken or who it's portrayed, find out. Showing an image without further information is not very useful for the reader, especially if you don't have the ability to communicate the context in which it was taken.
- If you are working on the article with another reporter, contact them and ask them for the information you need.
- If you are trying to identify a specific person within a photo, it is very helpful to describe where they are in the image. For example, if John Doe is the only one with the hat, you can write: "John Doe, in the second row with the hat".
- While being specific is good, you can also write the caption so that it starts with a more generic tone and goes into detail later, or vice versa. Both methods allow you to be precise, but are easier to read.
Step 6. Identify the historical photos correctly
If you're using a stock image for your article, be sure to include accurate information and the date (or at least the year) it was taken. Depending on the owner of the image, you may need to mention it (e.g. a museum, archive, etc.).
Step 7. Use the present
Most of the images used as part of an article represent events that happen "now", so you should use this in the captions. Of course for historical photos you can make an exception and use the past.
Using the present allows you to give a sense of urgency to your words and increases the impact the image has on the reader
Step 8. Avoid humor if the photo is not ironic
If the image represents a serious or sober event, don't be witty in the caption. Use irony only when the photo itself is a joke or portrays a funny event that wants to make the reader laugh.
Step 9. Remember to always include authors and citations
All photos should include the name of the photographer or organization that owns the rights. In magazines specializing in photography, also include the technical details of the shot (aperture, shutter speed, lens, f-stop, etc.).
When adding the author's name, there is no need to use the terms "photo of" if the information is presented in a coherent and understandable way. For example, you could always write quotes in italics or in a smaller font
Method 2 of 3: Enhance an Article with Captions
Step 1. Use the caption to tell the reader something new
Usually, when someone looks at an image, they feel an emotion and get information (based on what they see). As a result, the caption should add something that cannot be understood by simply observing the shot. In short, it should teach the reader something about the photo.
- The captions should entice the reader to delve into the story described by the article and to look for other information.
- Also avoid rewriting parts of the article itself. The caption and article should complement each other and not repeat.
Step 2. Don't make judgments
Captions should inform, not judge or criticize. If you haven't had a chance to talk to the people in the photo and ask what they thought or felt, don't guess based on appearances alone. For example, avoid writing "Unhappy consumers wait in line" if you don't know for sure they were annoyed.
Journalism should be objective and inform the reader. Journalists should present the facts impartially and let the reader form an opinion
Step 3. Don't worry about the length of the caption
A photo can be worth a thousand words, but in some cases a sentence is needed to give context to the image. If you need a long description to make sense of a photo, that's not a problem. While you should try to be as clear and concise as possible, don't leave out some useful information in the caption.
Step 4. Write in a conversational style
In general, not too complicated language is used in journalism. However, you must also avoid clichés or slang terms. The same guidelines also apply to captions. Write them in a conversational tone, as if addressing a relative while showing them the photo. Avoid clichés or technical jargon (and acronyms). Do not use too complex words if they are not needed.
If the photo is accompanied by an article, try using the same tone in the caption
Step 5. Include items in the caption that are not essential to the article
The articles accompanying the photos have a tendency to deal with a specific topic and of course, tell a story. If there is information useful to better understand the image, but not necessary for the presentation of the facts, you can insert it in the caption instead of in the body of the article.
- This does not mean that you should use captions only for the less important elements of the article, but rather for those that are not essential to the narration of the facts. A caption can be an independent mini-story that includes elements not present in the actual article.
- Again, remember that the caption and the article should be complementary, not redundant.
Step 6. Determine what punctuation to use
If the photo is a simple portrait or contains only a specific object (such as an umbrella), you can write in the caption only the name of the person or object without any punctuation. In other cases, you can use incomplete sentences, but this depends on the type of publication and its requirements.
- An example of a caption without punctuation: "Toyota 345X engine".
- An example of the difference between a complete sentence and a no: "Acura 325 takes a ride on the British test track in London" (complete), "Track ride on the Acura 325" (incomplete).
Step 7. Simplify the descriptions in the subsequent captions
If consecutive photos in an article show the same place, person, or event, you don't need to repeat the details in every caption. For example, if you presented the person with their full name in the first picture, you can simply refer to them with their last name in the following shots.
- It is not a mistake to assume that anyone viewing a photo has read the caption of the previous ones, as they are likely presented in an order that tells a story.
- You can also avoid putting too much information in the caption if a lot of it is already in the article. For example, if the article tells the details of an event, there is no need to repeat them in the captions.
Step 8. Write if the photo has been digitally retouched
In some cases, the images are enlarged, reduced or cropped according to the situation, the article, the layout, the space available, etc. Alterations of this type do not need to be explained, because they do not change the contents of the photo. If, on the other hand, you have modified the shot in another way (for example by changing the colors, removing or adding something, improving the natural exposure, etc.) you have to say so in the caption.
- You don't need to write exactly what you changed in the caption, but you should at least add "photomontage".
- This rule also applies to some unique photographic methods, such as time-lapses, etc.
Step 9. Consider using an outline for your captions
Until you are more adept at writing captions, you may want to start by following a precise pattern. Eventually you will learn how to use the pattern without even thinking about it, but until then rely on a formula that guarantees you to include all the necessary elements.
- An example of a pattern is: [subject] [verb] [object complement] during [correct event name] in [correct place name] to [city], [day of the week], [date]. [Why or how].
- An example written with this scheme: "Firefighters (subject) fight (verb in the present) a fire (object complement) at Palazzo Belvedere (correct name of the place) near the intersection of via Vittoria and via Cavour in Milan (city), Thursday (day of the week), 1 July 2004 (date) ".
Method 3 of 3: Avoid Caption Errors
Step 1. Don't be arrogant
You can give this impression if you write a caption without thinking about the reader, but just enter the information that is easier to find. You can also sound selfish, because you think more about yourself than the reader trying to interpret the photo and article.
It can also happen if you try to be "wanted" or use new or witty language. There is no reason to overcomplicate a caption. Try to be simple, clear and accurate
Step 2. Don't make assumptions
Having prejudices is a serious mistake, especially for a journalist and this also applies to captions. Avoid doing this, whether you are the author of the article, the photographer or simply one of those responsible for the layout. Do not assume you know what is happening in the photo or who is portrayed. Find out the truth and write only exact information.
This also applies to the style and format. If you don't know if a publication follows specific guidelines for captions, ask for confirmation. Don't use a format you like but will be completely upset later just because you didn't ask a question
Step 3. Make sure you don't make any careless mistakes
This can happen when you don't care much about your job or don't consider the situation important enough to take a close look. As a result, spelling errors, wrong names for the people in the photo, captions assigned to wrong images, wrong references to images within the article, etc. can occur. If you are proud of your work, make sure you get it done in the best possible way.
This can also happen if you want to translate the caption into another language, but don't check the translation is correct. Google Translate is not a reliable method
Step 4. Remember that what you write is considered a fact
As a journalist, anything you post in an article or caption is considered a fact that really happened by readers. They will rightly assume that you have verified the sources and are reporting only accurate information. If you do your job with too much laziness or imprecision, you risk divulging incorrect information to many people.
Also remember that when information becomes public, it is difficult to correct it. In particular, those related to tragic, stressful or highly topical events
Advice
- A photo and its caption should complement each other. Together they should tell a story and not be redundant. The caption should explain the what, when and where, but the image should still elicit an emotional reaction.
- In the world of the Anglo-Saxon news industry, captions are called "cutlines".
- National Geographic photo captions are great examples of quality photojournalism. National Geographic is famous for images, which often accompany an article. However, almost all readers have a tendency to look at the shot first, read the caption, look at the photo and decide only then whether to read the article. A good caption helps the reader to take the step from viewing the image to reading the text.
- As a photographer, you should take pen paper with you to events where you will be taking photos. Use the time when you are not holding your camera or waiting for a particular moment to write down the names of the people you have immortalized, making sure you do it correctly.
