2020

ASSIGNMENT

Submitted by: Zubia Syed

Roll No: 17271516-023

Department: BS Mass Communication

Semester: 7th

Submitted to: Miss Zerish

[PHOTO JOURNALISM]
  Definition:
Caption is a short (usually one-line) title/explanation for the Photo.

OR

Captions are the little “headlines”, the words describing the photograph.

“Pictures need words. Words need pictures”

Photo caption are a few lines of text used to explain and elaborate on published photographs.
Caption is text that appears below an image. Most captions draw attention to something in the
image that is not obvious, such as its relevance to the text. A caption may be a few words or
several sentences. Writing good captions takes effort; along with the lead and section headings,
captions are the most commonly read words in an article, so they should be sufficient and
informative.

 Types of Captions:
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 luting of everyone in a group photo.

Manage Caption: In a photo montage, photos are numbered and captioned and cutline
according to space available.
  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 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 caption should be written in complete sentences and in the present tense. The present
tense give, 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.

Caption must be written in such manner that attracts reader’s attention. So that readers can
understand what a picture tries to explain.

Reader behavior:

First, the reader looks at the photo, mentally capturing all or most of the most obvious visual
information available. Often this reader took is merely a glance, no 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 caption 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? (dad, in most case, 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 do he/she/it/they look that way?
 How did this occur?

Simply stated, outline 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.

For example:
  Here are some things, to watch out for:
Don't he vague in your caption, and make sure names of people and places arc correctly
identified and spelled. Be accurate. Photojournalists are 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.

De not use verbs or verb Phrases such as "looks on" or "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 "fortunate survivor.." The reader should he given the facts and
allowed to decide for her or himself what the feelings or emotions arc.

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 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.