2. Define what is a photo caption
Recall what information is included in a
photo caption
Write a photo caption for a photo
Learning Objectives
3. Work in groups of no
more than 3.
Write comments on a
sheet of paper
answering three
questions listed:
1. Make a personal
connection to the
photo.
2. Write a question the
photo brings to mind.
3. Make a guess as to
what information the
original caption of
this photo imparted.
4. Photo Captions
Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in
Ridgewood, N.J., are old hands at text messaging, but
not all of the words are friendly.
By Jan Hoffman, Published: June 27, 2010
5. What is a photo caption (a.k.a. cutline)?
A short sentence or two that describes a photograph or
illustration within a page layout.
Why do we have photo captions?
What information is included in a photo
caption?
AP Style suggests including main elements by answering the
following:
◦ Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
Photo Captions
6. First sentence: Who, What, When, & Where (written
in present tense when possible)
Who is that?
(And, in most cases, identify people from left to right
unless the action in the photograph demands otherwise.)
◦ What is going on?
◦ Where and when was this?
Why and or How
◦ Why is this important or significant?
◦ How did this occur? (Give background on the event)
Writing Style for Photo
Captions
7. Don’t incorrectly place time element in first
sentence-use time element in adjective form.
Avoid stating the obvious.
"Dennis Rodman smiles as he kicks a broadcast
photographer in the groin.“ Provide useful
information.
Writing Style for Photo
Captions
8. Write in complete sentences.
Check spelling of names, places, farms/ranches,
etc.
Avoid restating headline or text.
Don't assume.
Ask questions in your effort to inform and be specific.
Be willing to contact and include the subject.
Ask for correct spelling of names.
Write in conversational tone that avoids agriculture
industry jargon for consumers.
Writing Style for Photo
Captions
9. Don’t editorialize
Don’t use cliches
Use adjectives sparingly – don’t make judgments
“An unhappy citizen watches the protest…”
State how you manipulated the photo (if needed)
Elements to exclude:
“Pictured above…,” “This picture shows…”, “Looking into the
camera…”
“From left to right…”
Writing Style for Photo
Captions
10. The Mississippi River
flows through a hole in
the Sny Island, Ill.,
levee, flooding farmland
and homes 10 miles
south of Quincy, Ill.,
Sunday, July 25, 1993.
About 2,000 people
were evacuated from
the 44,000 acres that
flooded. (AP Photo/Bill
Waugh)
Example of Standard AP
Caption
11. Read the following captions and determine if
the caption is good, okay, or bad.
Identify what is correct or incorrect by
emphasizing the elements present or missing
(who, what, when, where, why and how) and
the writing style.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good, Okay or Bad
👍 👎👉
12. Fresh meats are stocked at the grocery
store.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good, Okay or Bad
👍 👎👉
13. Fresh meats are stocked at the grocery
store.
Critique this Photo Caption
Bad
👎
What
14. Fresh meats are stocked at the grocery
store.
Critique this Photo Caption
Bad
👎
Where
15. Fresh meats are stocked at the grocery
store.
Critique this Photo Caption
Bad
👎
What’s
missing?
Who,
When, &
Why
16. John Mueller prepares
Nancy’s Pride for the Grimes
County 4-H horse judging
contest. The judging contest
is held annually during the
Grimes County fair.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good, Okay or Bad
👍 👎👉
17. John Mueller prepares
Nancy’s Pride for the Grimes
County 4-H horse judging
contest. The judging contest
is held annually during the
Grimes County fair.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good
👍
Who
18. John Mueller prepares
Nancy’s Pride for the Grimes
County 4-H horse judging
contest. The judging contest
is held annually during the
Grimes County fair.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good
👍
What
19. John Mueller prepares
Nancy’s Pride for the Grimes
County 4-H horse judging
contest. The judging contest
is held annually during the
Grimes County fair.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good
👍
Where &
When
20. John Mueller prepares
Nancy’s Pride for the Grimes
County 4-H horse judging
contest. The judging contest
is held annually during the
Grimes County fair.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good
👍
How is visible in
photo
21. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Good, Okay or Bad
👍 👎👉
22. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
Who
23. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
What
24. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
When
25. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
Why
26. Oatka Dairy has been owned by the Butler family
for three generations. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
What criteria
are missing?
27. The Butler family operates their three-generation
family-owned Oatka Dairy. This fall the dairy will
close because of low milk prices.
Critique this Photo Caption
Okay
👉
What criteria
are missing?
Where &
How
28. Work individually to write a caption for this photo (approximately 20 -30 words). You can
have one or two sentences, but you must answer the Who, What, Where, When, and
Why. The how is visible in the photo but not stated in the caption. Enclosed are details
that you can use. The photo caption must be written with your name on the paper. It is
due on Monday, October 30 at 9:30 a.m. The assignment is worth 10 points.
Let’s Practice! – Photo
Caption Assignment
Who: Josey Miller
What: Roping a calf in the
calf roping competition
Where: 69th annual Lenox
Rodeo in Creston, Iowa
When: July 28, 2014
Why: Finished second with
a time of 9.7 seconds
Source: CrestonNews.com
Notes de l'éditeur
Use the image provided on slide 2 to begin this lesson. Have students work in groups of no more than 3. Their job will be to write comments/answers on a sheet of paper answering the three questions listed below. Although working in groups each student must have an answer represented.
Make a personal connection to the photo. (E.g., “Reminds me of when I visited the Empire State Building in third grade.”)
Write a question the photo brings to mind. (E.g., “Why can you see only the backs of people’s heads in this shot?”)
Make a guess as to what information the original caption of this photo imparted. (E.g., “This looks like the dedication of a memorial to someone who died.”)
Have the students discuss all the thoughts provoked by the image and questions that they posed. Finally, read the captions you removed originally. Does the caption reveal anything new about the photo? Do the students feel differently now that they have read the caption? Did any of the students get all the information correct before seeing the caption?
Finally, read the caption you removed originally. Does the caption reveal anything new about the photo? Do the students feel differently now that they have read the caption? Did any of the students get all the information correct before seeing the caption?
What is a photo caption?
A short sentence or two that describes a photograph or illustration within a page layout.
Also called a cutline.
Why do we have photo captions?
Photo captions are an integral part of storytelling, but they are often the most underdeveloped element in the mix of words, graphics, and photographs.
Captions are second only to headlines as the most read copy in newspapers and other media.
A poorly executed caption can destroy the message of a photo.
The reader/viewer expects nothing less than accurate, complete, and informative information, including captions.
Reader Behavior
Reader looks briefly at the photo.
Subtle aspects of the photo may not be recognizable by the general public.
When interest is sparked the reader will typically look for the photo explanation (caption/ cutline).
After reading the caption the reader goes back to the photo for a second look.
The specific information required can vary from one photo to the next. But for most photos, a reader wants to know who and what the photo shows, and the caption should state where and when the photo was taken. Always identify the main people in the photograph. EXCEPT when faces are not really visible. And, in most cases, identify people from left to right unless the action in the photograph demands otherwise. The second sentence of the caption gives background on the news event or describes why the photo is significant. Only use the second sentence if absolutely necessary for photo clarification. Most newspapers use a photo caption writing style that calls for the first sentence to be written in the present tense and for subsequent sentences to be in the past tense. The rationale is that the first sentence tells the reader what is happening in the photo. Subsequent sentences tell the context and background for what happened.
Why is this picture in the paper?
What's going on?
When and where was this?
Why does he/she/it/they look that way?
How did this occur?
Simply stated, cutlines should explain the picture so that readers are satisfied with their understanding of the picture. They need not—and should not—tell what the picture has made obvious. It should supply vital information that the picture cannot. For example, a picture can show a football player leaping to catch a pass, but it likely does not show that the result was the winning touchdown. The cutline should give that information.
A common flaw is incorrectly placing the time element in the first sentence.It is incongruous to have both the present tense verb and the past-tense time element (as adverbial information) in the same sentence. It is possible to avoid the incongruity by using the time element as adjectival information: . . .
Write the caption to stand alone, so reading the story is not necessary.
Avoid stating the obvious. We read from left to right, so we don’t state the obvious.
"Dennis Rodman smiles as he kicks a broadcast photographer in the groin.” (Provide useful information.)
A well-composed and captioned photograph can motivate the viewer to read the accompanying text. When writing photo captions, use complete sentences. Triple check the spelling of names and check with primary sources.
Don’t repeat the obvious: what’s in the headline or text of the story.
Don't assume.
Ask questions in your effort to inform and be specific.
Be willing to contact and include the subject.
Be sure to ask for correct spelling of names when shooting people’s faces.
When writing captions for agricultural images, be aware of and refrain from using technical industry jargon. Captions should be clear, concise, and serve as an opportunity to further educate the reader. In captions, write in a conversational tone.
Writing as if talking to someone while still using proper grammar.
Don’t editorialize. The writer should never make assumptions about what someone in a picture is thinking or try to interpret the person's feelings from his or her expression. The reader should be given the facts and allowed to decide for herself or himself what the feelings or emotions are.
Don't use clichés.
Use adjectives sparingly. The cutline writer should avoid characterizing a picture as beautiful, dramatic, grisly or other such descriptive terms that should be evident in the photograph. If it's not evident in the photograph, your telling the reader won't make it happen.
The caption should explain something about how the picture was taken if it shows something not normally observable by the human eye. For example, was a wide-angle lens used? Or time-lapse photography? Explanations also are needed for special effects, such as the use of an inset or a picture sequence.
Do not point out the obvious by using such phrases as “looks on,” “is shown” and “pictured above.” Avoid using terms like "is shown, is pictured, and looks on."
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Not answered
What is going on? Fresh meats are stocked
Where was this? Grocery Store
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Not answered
How did this occur? Not answered
Need at least one, but not both (why and how).
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Not answered
What is going on? Fresh meats are stocked
Where was this? Grocery Store
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Not answered
How did this occur? Not answered
Need at least one, but not both (why and how).
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Not answered
What is going on? Fresh meats are stocked
Where was this? Grocery Store
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Not answered
How did this occur? Not answered
Need at least one, but not both (why and how).
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Not answered
What is going on? Fresh meats are stocked
Where was this? Grocery Store
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Not answered
How did this occur? Visually shown in photo but not stated
Need at least one, but not both (why and how).
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? John Meuller
What is going on? Prepares for 4-H horse judging contest
Where was this? Grimes County Fair
When was this? During the fair
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Identifies current event
How did this occur? Visible in photo, but not explicitly stated
Remember why or how do not both have to be stated.
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? John Meuller
What is going on? Prepares for 4-H horse judging contest
Where was this? Grimes County Fair
When was this? During the fair
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Identifies current event
How did this occur? Visible in photo, but not explicitly stated
Remember why or how do not both have to be stated.
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? John Meuller
What is going on? Prepares for 4-H horse judging contest
Where was this? Grimes County Fair
When was this? During the fair
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Identifies current event
How did this occur? Visible in photo, but not explicitly stated
Remember why or how do not both have to be stated.
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? John Meuller
What is going on? Prepares for 4-H horse judging contest
Where was this? Grimes County Fair
When was this? During the fair
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Identifies current event
How did this occur? Visible in photo, but not explicitly stated
Remember why or how do not both have to be stated.
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? John Meuller
What is going on? Prepares for 4-H horse judging contest
Where was this? Grimes County Fair
When was this? During the fair
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Identifies current event
How did this occur? Visible in photo, but not explicitly stated
Remember why or how do not both have to be stated.
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? Not answered
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? This fall
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? This fall
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? This fall
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? This fall
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered
AP Style
First sentence
Who is that? Oatka Dairy/ Butler family
What is going on? Closing
Where was this? Not answered
When was this? This fall
Second Sentence
Why is this important or significant? Low milk prices are causing three generation business to close
How did this occur? Not answered