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Caption Writing
Finishing Touches. Burgundy Smith, senior, grooms her horse before the next class at the 4-H Spring Show in Salina. Smith and her horse Patches went on to place high point overall in the show. “I was really excited about winning high point, but I didn’t really think we could do it,” said Smith. Photo • Johnson
Captions
A caption is a mini-story that answers all questions about a photo.
Requires time, thought, research, variety and consistency to write.
Captions Also referred to cutlines Every photo should have a caption for adequate identification
of its contents and to insure its historical value.
Be certain that you write cutlines NOT cutelines. Captions that talk to the photo or make insinuations and
those that take liberties with the feelings of the person(s) in the photo are not only unjournalistic and in poor taste, they are also downright illegal.
Any staff that uses gag cutlines is opening itself up to problems ranging from black eyes to lawsuits.
Elements of a Caption Lead-in.
First few words of the first sentence, set in a type and/or font which distinguishes it from the rest of the caption.
Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan
Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in the commons.
Elements of a Caption
Lead-in/Catch-lines Catch-lines are like individual mini-headlines at the
beginning of the caption, and their main advantage is that they serve as astonishers, or impact words, to lure the reader into the caption body.
Catch-lines help prevent the monotony that results when too many captions have the same style of opening.
Elements of a Caption
Description of the action. In a sentence explain what is happening in the photo. This part is written in present tense.
Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in the commons.
Elements of a Caption Description of the action
Do not simply tell what is obvious in the photo. Tell who, what, where, when, why, and how What will be important to the readers of this book now
and 20 years from now? Make sure to identify everyone by name, grade, or
position. Instead of saying that John Jones is welding, since that should be
obvious to even the slowest of readers, say that John Jones, a fourth year art student, is in state competition for a sculpting scholarship.
Elements of a Caption
A Little Something Extra. Includes any information that might be of interest to
your reader. Tell what preceded the action, what was the outcome of
the action or any little-known facts concerning the action.
Write this in past tense. Pizza meetings were held to accommodate members who could not make
meetings held after school.
Elements of a Caption
Direct Quotation. An expanded caption can include quotes from the
subject about his/her reaction to the action in the photo. Provides one-of-a-kind human interest appeal
“It’s fun knowing that we can have meetings and learn how we can help people or do something good for the community,” Mastin said.
Elements of a Caption
Photo Credit Photo credits are valuable for two reasons:
They give credit for a difficult often thankless job. Photography seems to improve when it becomes public
knowledge who is responsible for the work. Photo • Stevens
Putting it all together
Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in the commons. Pizza meetings were help to accommodate members who could not make meetings held after school. “It’s fun knowing that we can have meetings and learn how we can help people or do something good for the community,” Mastin said. Photo • Stevens
Expanded Caption Expanded captions should range from 3-4 sentences. Answer the 5W’s and H in every caption. Interview those involved in the photo as well as those
associated with the event or activity. Direct quotes make the caption come alive to create a “you are
there” effect. LAST TO LEAVE. In a deserted hallway, freshman twins Chance and Bill
Terry wait for the 5:45 p.m. bus to pick them up and take them home three hours after the final bell. Because the brothers live next door to the bus driver, and 15 miles in the opposite direction of the driver’s route, they hang out until the bus swings back past the school. “I would much rather goof off at school than ride the route with 35 screaming first graders,” Chance said. Photo • Stevens
Variations on a Caption…
Summary Caption Includes these caption elements:
Lead-in, description of action, and photo credit. LAST TO LEAVE. In a deserted hallway, freshman twins
Chance and Bill Terry wait for the 5:45 p.m. bus to pick them up and take them home after school. Photo • Stevens
Variations on a Caption…
Candid Identification. Name individuals and add a brief insight.
Freshman twins Chance and Bill Terry take a 5:45 p.m. bus home.
Sports captions…
An effective sports caption: Identifies all players in the picture by name and jersey
number. If possible, identify key athletes on the opposing team as well.
States the position of the player and adds depth to the description.
Includes the results of the action in the photo as well as the final score and who won.
Did the player make the basket? Did the action have a key impact on the score? Did the player or team win any special recognition?
Caption formula…
Lead-in Description of the Action Something Extra Direct Quote Photo Credit
Write an expanded caption. Answer these questions before you begin to write the caption. Use your name for the photo credit. Include a quote you think would be appropriate for this photo.
Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
How:
