Using Captioned Pictures to Tell the 4-H Story
By Nancy Wilhelm and Ede Valiquette
The purpose of this fact sheet is to help you to take GREAT photographs and to give you some ideas about writing
creative captions for it.
A great way to get your club activities in the local newspaper is to submit captioned photographs. Sometimes it is easier
to get your captioned photograph in the paper than to have a reporter attend your club activity. Caption photographs in
the newspaper are also a good way to recognize the efforts of youth, volunteers and 4-H supporters.
What Makes a Good Photograph?
Composition is not just for writing. When you take a photograph, think about “composing” it. Be specific about what
you are trying to convey with your picture. Try showing people enjoying themselves. Make sure there is a 4-H Clover
displayed somewhere in the picture. Don’t have more than three or four people in the scene. Can you include a sign
explaining the activity or identifying your club?
You can improve your picture taking skills by taking control and becoming the director. A director picks the location:
“Everybody go outside…” A director adds props: “Girls, put on your pink sunglasses.” A director arranges people:
“Now move in close, and lean toward the camera.” A director tries to put some action into the photo: “Award recipients,
shake hands as you receive your award.”
Lighting is critical to taking good photographs. Arrange to take pictures in a brightly lit place. When taking indoor
pictures, abundant natural light is always better than artificial light. Watch for competing light sources such as a sunlit
window or doorway. Photographers should stand with their backs to the light source and have their subjects face the light
source.
Use a flash outdoors. If using a digital camera, most will allow you to switch on the flash to fill in shadows outdoors and
cutting down on harsh sunlight. On a cloudy day, using the flash will brighten up your picture and make colors more
vivid.
Move in close. Stand about six to eight feet away from your subjects. In that way you can better capture expressions and
action. Don’t worry about including the whole body. Pay attention to the background as well. Be aware of what else
may be in your photograph besides your subject. You may have a great picture of a person except they have some weird
object growing out of their head.
Take a lot of pictures. By taking multiple shots you have a better chance of getting one or two really good pictures.
When taking more than one photograph always move around a little. A problem you didn’t see the first time might be
cleared up in a picture shot from a different angle.
If your camera uses film, mail or deliver your photographs to the newspaper. If your camera is digital, email your
photographs directly to the newspaper in a jpeg file format. Always set your digital camera for the highest resolution
available.
Writing the Caption for Your Photo
Make captions complete, clear and crisp. Always include Who, What, When, Where, Why to answer questions the reader
might have. (Example: Janye Whatsis receives her ribbon for cupcakes from Gertrude Snerd at the 4-H Food Show on
August 3 in Smallville). Captions should be no more than three or four sentences long.
Be accurate. Interview people about what they are doing in the picture. Be very careful with the spelling of names.
Misspelling a name offends people. Avoid unnecessary phrases such as: looks on, pictured above, is shown, or helps out.
Avoid making assumptions that someone in your photograph is angry or unhappy. For group photos, correctly identify
the group. If the group is small enough, names can be listed. Always get permission from the people in your photo to list
their names.
Captioned photos should include a title which tells the reader what is happening. The caption itself gives the background
for what happened. Example: title – 4-H Computer Club members show seniors how to surf the web. Members of the
Prickly Cactus 4-H Computer Club recently held a training for seniors at the Davis Senior Center in Sandy Shores.
It is o.k. to use this caption - Brittany Smith smiles as she is handed her blue ribbon at the Fair. A better caption is –
Brittany Smith, a 4-Her from Suffield, receives a blue ribbon for her project work in community service at the Hartford
County 4-H Achievement Night. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership,
citizenship and life skills.” For more info about 4-H call…
Working with Your Local Newspaper
The guidelines provided are general. Take a trip to your local newspaper to establish a contact and learn about the papers
submission requirements and deadlines. It is always best to have a personal contact with someone at the newspaper, than
to just send in your pictures and captions.
Examples:
Bad Photographs:
How could this picture be improved?
Kids should look involved, have the kids
do something, take the picture from a
different angle to show action.
How could this picture be improved?
Have a focal point, show action.
Good Photographs:
Title of picture: 4-H Teens Plan Workshop
Caption: Teens from the Technology 4-H Club
determine orienteering points with a portable Global
Positioning System. As a leadership project, these teens
will conduct orienteering workshops for young 4-H
members in their club. 4-H is a community of young
people across America who are learning leadership,
citizenship and life skills. For more information about
4-H call 1-888-FOUR-H-CT.
Title of picture: Ready, Aim, Shoot
Caption: Jessica Smith, a 4-Her from Southbury,
prepares to take a picture for her 4-H photography
project. In the photography project, 4-H members learn
picture composition, photo development and effective
use of light and subject matter. Jessica’s pictures were
displayed at the local 4-H Fair. 4-H is a community of
young people across America who are learning
leadership, citizenship and life skills. For more
information about 4-H call 1-888-FOUR-H-CT.