How are captions written

Do’s
 Caption should be connected to the photo
 Caption should be interesting to read
 Caption should identify the main character in the photo
 Caption should add new information
 The caption should add context to the image
Don’ts

 Don’t be vague in your caption, and make sure names of people

and places are correctly identified and spelled. Be accurate. A
photojournalist is a journalist.

 If a photo is manipulated digitally beyond sizing and color control,

it should be labeled as a “photo illustration” in the caption, or in
the photo credit. If unusual photo techniques are used, such as
time-lapse photography, it should be noted. Explanations are also
needed for special effects, such as the use of an inset or a picture
sequence.

 Do not use verbs or verb phrases such as “looks on,” “poses” or “is

pictured above” when writing captions. They are obvious and
boring.

 Do not editorialize or make assumptions about what someone in a

picture is thinking. For example, “an unhappy voter…” or
“a fortunate survivor…” The reader should be given the facts and
allowed to decide for herself or himself what the feelings or
emotions are.

 Do not characterize the content of a picture as beautiful, dramatic,

horrifying or in any other descriptive terms that should be evident
in the photograph. If it's not evident in the photograph, telling the
reader won't make it happen.

 “Wild Art,” standalones, and day shots are all terms used to
describe photographs that are published independently of a written
 story. They often require a more comprehensive caption. Some
publications even provide small headlines.

https://ijnet.org/en/resource/writing-photo-captions

https://www.poynter.org/educators-students/2017/6-tips-for-writing-
photo-captions/