Caption Writing for Wednesday

Find faces, group of people, a community. Ask them to tell their stories and write
about it. If not, caption the photos. Here are some tips to help you in caption writing
so that the Desk can storify your photo/s:
HEADLINE: Should be a clever title verbally linked to the photograph. Pun works but
use it with appropriation.
IDENTIFICATION SENTENCE: The sentence should explain exactly what is going on in the
photo, names of all visible people and is written is present tense. Avoid beginning with a name
and dont overuse gerund phrases. The sentence should at least answer the Who, What, When
and Where.
SECONDARY INFO: May answer the questions Why and How. Secondary adds information that
is not obvious in the photo and is written in past tense.
QUOTE: Ask questions! You are a journalist and not just a photographer. Like a reporter you must
find more information that isnt quite obvious. Extract quotes from your subject.

EXAMPLE (the nuns photo in the right, 2nd):

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES. Catholics nuns from the Franciscan Order perform a balancing act in
one of the concrete barriers to get a better view of the Pope's motorcade along Taft Avenue in
Manila on January 18, 2015. The nuns, numbering about 69 came all the way from Mt. Kanlaon in
Mars and have been in Manila before Pope Francis' arrival. "We came here to party with the Pope
and seek justice for the death of Ka Dencio," said Sister Stella L, a noviciate and still a virgin.
Photo by George Moya/Rappler

Keep in mind that a photograph without a caption is like watching a movie without audio.
Lastly, do not just TAKE pictures; MAKE one. Do not let your personal prejudices, ideologies and
emotions get in the way in making a photo if you want the majority understand what you are trying
to share.