How to Write Photo Captions What is a

How to Write Photo Captions

What is a caption (also known as a cutline)? one or two sentences nearby (typically under) a photo that tell a story related to the photo

Captions should be: Active (explaining an action) Complete Interesting

1. The first sentence usually explains what is happening in the photo. 2. The second sentence gives additional information about the focus of the photo.

Dos for writing captions: Include the 4 Ws (who, what, where and when) and possibly the 5 Ws and H (who, what, where, when, why and how). Give credit to the photographer (known as the credit line). Use present tense. Consider what is going on before, during and after the photo was taken.

Dos for writing captions, continued: Identify all people, except with crowds of over five people. In parenthesis, indicate where the people in the photo are located, e. g. (left to right). Proofread, especially proper nouns. Aim to inform. The information in your caption should also be located in your article.

Don’ts for writing captions, continued: Don’t state the obvious. Don’t use “seems to” or “tries to. ” Don’t pad with unrelated information (except when extra space must be filled). Don’t write the caption if you don’t understand what is happening in the photo. In those cases, ask a classmate for help. Don’t assume someone else will fix/proofread your caption.

Identifying the People in your Photos: If it’s a male and a female – no need to tell us who’s on the left or right. Their names will tell us. List the names of those in the photo from left to right. If it’s two men or two women – ID the on the left and right. Example: Freshmen Barb Jones and Jane Doe (left to right) take their English I mid-year assessment on Jan. 26. If it’s a group of people – ID up to five people in a photo, (generally left to right).

Write your own caption!

Who: Andy Willner What: the baykeeper for Hudson-Raritan Estuary When: yesterday. Where: Passaic River How-Why: Passaic is coming back after suffering many years of industrial pollution.

Who: Adriana, 4, Daniel, 7, and Alexandre Martinho, 9 What: The lot behind them is under consideration for construction of an elementary school. However, a builder wants to erect condos. When: yesterday. Where: Newark. Why-How: Dispute will delay construction of schools. Same problem exists in many urban districts.

Who: Dana Dietl, 13, and brother Beau, 9. What: They ordered Roaccutan, an acne drug, over the Internet. Their drug came from Pakistan. Their father is an ex-NYC cop who runs his own investigation company. He found no controls on Internet drugs.

Who: Right-Giants cornerback Will Allen. Left-Redskins Laveranues Coles. What: Coles loses interception to Allen in third quarter. When-Where: Landover, Md. Giants 24, Redskins 21 (2/3)

Who: Rookie center fielder Jeff Duncan and NY Mets What: Duncan erred, allowing a triple; he struck out three times. The Mets lost, 4 -2 to the Montreal Expos. When: yesterday Where: at Shea Stadium