Good captions make a file easier to find in a search.
Captions are short, descriptive sentences which give all users of a file an accurate statement about the file’s contents or meaning.
The purpose of a caption is to both assist a search and to describe the file in a coherent way. It is possible to produce a caption which still reads clearly, while being laden with information! This is the art of caption writing.
Tips for writing captions
1. Name any people in the photograph, and state their roles. For example; Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Phillip Hammond.
2. Include the age group and gender of the subjects, if the photograph is a stock photograph. For example; Male student, or Retired couple. Beware of storing (or guessing) sensitive information about ethnicity or age inadvertently, though.
3. Include colors and visual attributes of a file, where appropriate. This makes it easier for designers and creatives to find a file. For example; Large blue beach ball or Black cat with green eyes.
4. Briefly describe the meaning or purpose of the image; give an indication of its significance. For example, The first Eurostar train leaving Waterloo Station, London, for Paris.
5. A surprising amount of detail is uncovered if you describe the subject and its attributes, or layout. For instance; Small yacht with sails against storm clouds in rough seas.
6. Include location information. For example; Students graduating at the Senate House, Cambridge University.
7. Include timing information such as reference to a season of the year, time of day, or specific instant. Examples include; Autumn forest, The London Eye by night or May 1, 2014.
In general, all photos will have a date stamp from the camera, which will be searchable too, so only add timing data to the caption if it clarifies or improves the meaning of the caption.
