Photo caption and cutline

Photo caption are a few lines of text used to explain and elaborate on published
photographs. In some cases captions and cut lines are distinguished, where the caption is a
short (usually one-line) title/explanation for the photo, while the cutline is a longer, prose
block under the caption, generally describing the photograph, giving context, or relating it to
the article.

Captions:
Captions are the little “headlines” over the “cutline” (the words describing the
photograph). See example.

Cutline:
Cutline (at newspapers and some magazines) are the words (under the caption, if
there is one) describing the photograph or illustration.

Terms of caption & cutline

Reader behavior

When writing a cutline with or without a caption, it is useful to have clearly in mind the
typical reader behavior when “using” a photograph and accompanying text:

 First, the reader looks at the photo, mentally capturing all or most of the most obvious
visual information available. Often this reader look is merely a glance, so subtle
aspects of the picture may not register with many readers.
 When that look at the photo sparks any interest, the reader typically looks just below
the photo for information that helps explain the photo. That's when captions and
cutline must perform.
 Then, typically, the reader, after digesting the information, goes back to the photo (so
be sure you enhance the experience and explain anything that needs explaining)

Required information
The specific information required can vary from one photo to the next. But for most
pictures a reader wants to know such information as:

 Who is that? (And, in most cases, identify people from left to right unless the action in
the photograph demands otherwise.)
 Why is this picture in the paper?
 What's going on?
 When and where was this?
 Why does he/she/it/they look that way?
 How did this occur?

Simply stated, cutline should explain the picture so that readers are satisfied with their
understanding of the picture. They need not — and should not — tell what the picture has
made obvious. It should supply vital information that the picture cannot.
 Writing captions
In most photo captions, the first sentence identifies the people and place in the photograph,
and the date and location where it was taken. The second (and perhaps third) sentence should
provide contextual information to help readers understand what they are looking at.
The exact format for captions varies from publication to publication, but a basic photo
captions should:

 Clearly identify the people and locations that appear in the photo. Professional titles should
be included as well as the formal name of the location. SPELL NAMES CORRECTLY
(check against the spellings in the article if necessary). For photographs of more than one
person, identifications typically go from left to right. In the case of large groups,
identifications of only notable people may be required and sometimes no identifications are
required at all. Your publication should establish a standard for its photographers.

 Include the date and day the photograph was taken. This is essential information for a
news publication. The more current a photo is, the better. If an archive photograph or
photograph taken prior to the event being illustrated is used, the caption should make it clear
that it is a “file photo.”

 Provide some context or background to the reader so he or she can understand the news
value of the photograph. A sentence or two is usually sufficient.

 Photo captions should be written in complete sentences and in the present tense. The
present tense gives the image a sense of immediacy. When it is not logical to write the entire
caption in the present tense, the first sentence is written in the present tense and the following
sentences are not.

 Be brief. Most captions are one or two short, declarative sentences. Some may extend to a
third sentence if complex contextual information is needed to explain the image completely.

For example:

The rise in environmental pollution is alarming

 Here are some things to watch out for:
 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 her 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.

Types of caption

THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CAPTIONS BUT ALL REQUIRE INVESTIGATION TO DO PROPERLY.

Identification bar
Simply who is in the photo?

Cutline
Who is doing what

Summary
Who doing what, when, where, why

Expanded
Who, doing what, when, where, why, who and quote

Quote
Just a quote from the person that explains doings what, when, why, how by the who of photo

Group identification
A listing of everyone in a group photo

Manage caption
I0n a photo montage, photos are numbered and captioned and cutline according to space
available

For example
Identification bar:

 General Qamar javed bajwa

 Major general Mohammad Hossein Baqeri
 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
 Major General Abdul-rahim mousawi
 Ali shamkhani

Cutline:
General Qamar javed bajwa is discussing with military officers about cooperation with iran
on their proposal.

Summary:
In a meeting when Qamar javed bajwa is on his official tour to Iran, He has appreciated the
military services of Iran. Iranian president also highlighted the needs of security in the
country and also put forwarded proposal for the military cooperation on 19 November 2019.

Expanded:
Gen Qamar javed bajwa also held meetings with other Iranian official including chief of staff
of Iranian armed forces Major gen mohammad Hussein baqeri and gen abdul Rahim mousawi
where he discussed defense cooperation border security counter terrorism cooperation
between two countries on 19 nov 2019

Quote:

The army chief mentioned Pakistan was prepared to strengthen bilateral relations.

Group Identification:

In every picture leading person is Gen Qamar javed bajwa.

Montage caption:
 (At the top) Qamar javed bajwa is shaking hand with Iranian president Hassan
Rouhani.

 (Bottom left) Qamar javed bajwa discussed the prospects of expansion of defense
cooperation with major general mohammad Hussein bajwa.

 (Bottom right) Qamar javed bajwa discussed regional security environment and
bilateral defense cooperation with Ali shamkhani and major General Abdul-rahim
mouser.
References: