10 Helpful Tips for Writing Good Captions
Kristen Bartlett Grace – for JOU 3109 students
A good caption makes a photo even more effective by including identification of the
people in the photo and information that goes beyond stating what seems obvious about
the photo. The key to writing good captions is your own reporting – asking questions and
collecting information after you take your photograph. Here are some tips.
1. Collect as much information as you can. The more you have to use in writing a
caption the better. What’s important? First and last names. Where they are from (city,
state, country if appropriate). If a college student, what year they are (sophomore,
junior, etc.) and what their major is. Age if it is appropriate. Generally you want to
list the age if the subject/s is a minor.
So be sure to have a notepad with you so you can write down the information.
2. Get permission to use image from parents/caregivers if your subjects are minors.
3. Ask your subject/s for an e-mail address or phone number in case there are questions
or more information or verification of spelling etc. is needed later when writing the
caption.
4. Ask your subject to describe something about the scene in which you made your
picture. This can lead to colorful quotes to add flair to your caption. Be sure to write
it down verbatim if you plan to put these words in quotation marks.
5. Collect your caption information after you have made your images and be sure to note
descriptions or directions so you remember who is who when back to the computer.
The descriptions may or may not be necessary in your actual caption, but they will
help you properly identify your subjects when referring back to your notes.
Example: Mary Smith, right, red shirt, Jerome Travers, center, blue hat
If there are more than one person in your image, you want to list them in your caption
from left to right and note that in the caption.
6. Always use AP style in caption writing.
7. If you are getting resistance from your subject, be sure to clearly explain your
intentions and perhaps show the subject the image. This can help them feel more
comfortable to talk to you and give you information. However, if a subject says they
do not want you to use their image, be sure to abide by their wish.
8. You only need to identify the main subjects in your image. If there are people in the
background or unidentifiable people, you do not need to say who they are.
9. Make sure you have all information correct, especially the spelling of the subject/s
name/s. It may help to have the subject write their name for you. Always ask how to
spell a name, even if it may seem obvious.
10. If you have manipulated or altered your photo in ANY way, for example set the
image up (telling your subjects where to stand and what to do) or post production
manipulation in PhotoShop or other photo editing program like adding light,
removing objects, or retouching your subjects, label it as a photo illustration.
Here’s a sample caption.
Ashley Hinton, third-year recreation and event managing major, holds the hand
of passerby Chong Lou, fourth-year finance major, as a student health-care
nurse administers a flu shot Wednesday at the Reitz Student Union at the
University of Florida. The free shots will be offered for the next three weeks
or until supplies run out. Photo by Kristen Bartlett
* Sentence 1 = The 5Ws and H of the photo. Written in present tense.
* Sentence 2 = Additional information that you wouldn’t know by looking at the photo.
You could use a quote that you collect when interviewing the people in the photo.
* Photo credit – your name. Photo by ___________
You can find other photos and captions at http://news.ufl.edu/ Click on Snapshot.