CaptionsA yearbook review lesson

What Should a Good Caption Do?

A good caption should identify the person or persons in the photo and tell a little about what is happening in the photo.

An even better caption provides the context for a picture by answering the who, what, when, where, why and how.

Want to see the difference??? Check out the next slide…

Very good.

Good.

Bad. (too obvious. boring)

The Hornets player goes up for the jump ball.

Going up for the jump ball, David Smith (#13) helps get the game against Tri-Valley off to a flying start. Hornets won 78-69.

3 feet off the floor and reaching his full body length, David Smith #13 captures the jump ball for the Hornets. David was a new player to the team. “I played ball at my old school,” said Smith, “and I wanted to get involved here, too.” Smith’s height was one reason the Hornets ended up with a 26-9 conference record.

Caption Rules#1 Don’t Be Obvious!

Jeannie smiles for the camera.

Jodi works hard painting scenery for the spring musical.

Well, DUH!!! We can figure these out by looking at the picture! Give us some background and info we DON’T know!!! Make the picture MORE interesting!

Caption Rules#2 Don’t Always Start with a NAME.

Jeannie smiles for the camera.

Jodi works hard painting scenery for the spring musical.

Enough said. (Sigh.)

Let’s Try Again…

Laughing as she catches sight of the camera, sophomore Jeannie Smith was looking out the office window for her mom’s car. “I’ve got an orthodontist appointment today,” explained Smith. On average 14 students leave school each day for various appointments.

Not all the stars of the show are actors. Many students used their artistic and technical talents to bring a show to life. “I’d die if I had to get out on the stage!” said scene-painter Jodi Smith, “but I love making the backdrops look really, really, amazing. I think it’s part of the magic of theater.” A backstage crew of 20 people helped paint, move scenery, collect props, and run the sound and lights.

Q: Do I Have to Write these Long (but very cool) Captions for EVERY PHOTO???

A: No, you could have a mix of short, medium and longer. But none should be obvious and boring! Like

this…

Laughing as she catches sight of the camera, sophomore Jeannie Smith was looking out the office window for her mom’s car. “I’ve got an orthodontist appointment today,” explained Smith. On average 14 students leave school each day for various appointments.

Signing Out “I go to the orthodontist

every 3 to 5 weeks,” says freshman Serena Smith, “I try to get late afternoon appointments so I miss PE instead of regular classes with homework.”Not everyone leaves for braces. Senior Nick Thompson occasionally goes to the athletic trainer’s office for an appointment. “Gotta keep my awesome muscles in shape for track season!” Can I have your

autograph? Jason Decker hands the office pen to Maddie Nelson so they can leave for appointments.

Clever Tip

Just try writing more than one sentence! And toss in a relevant quote. By the time you have 3 or 4 sentences, chances are good that you’ll have a decent caption!

What about Group or Team Photos?

Any Questions?If you still have questions, shoot an email to Ms. Harris!