Creating CAPTIONS THEYLL LOVEPhoto captions offer one of our best shots at grabbing and holding a readers attention. If the headline doesnt do it, the photo and the words we use to accompany the photo may do the trick. Here are a few ideas to encourage excellent captions:
The art of writing a captionA caption in its simplest form is the the title of an image but usually we mean a bit more. A full caption takes the form of descriptive text, usually a few sentences
What makes a good caption?Good captions are more than just the subject"s name and what"s going on in the photo. In fact, if all you do in your caption is explain the activity in the photo it has little or no value to the reader. Good captions incorporate the five W"s: Who, What, Where, When and Why. You can occasionally throw in "How" if the photo is so technically complicated and interesting that the reader might wonder how it was made.Good captions are spelled correctly. Good captions are factually accurate. Good captions leave the copy editors with few questions. Good captions not only enhance your standing in the newsroom but also the photo department"s standing. Good captions are essential to the credibility of the newspaper and its standing in the community
