Sonia Jaffe Robbins, Editing Workshop, G54.1123, WEEK VI

1. You must identify everyone prominently shown in a photo--if you can't find the name of someone, write something in the caption that acknowledges the unknown person.

2. When identifying people, indicate how the names run, usually in parentheses, e.g.: (from left), (counterclockwise from top), etc. There is a convention that since people read from left to right, names running from left to right can be assumed to correspond to people standing from left to right. This may be okay, but be careful not to lean too heavily on it. Try to see the pictures as the "unsuspecting" reader will. The caption is supposed to be informative, not a guessing game.

3. The caption should connect photo to story. You don't want information in the caption that isn't explained or referred to in the story. Unfortunately, sometimes you must write a caption to a photo that is unrelated to the story. In this dilemma, consult the slot person or copy chief.

4. Libel laws apply to captions just as they do to text; in fact, they may be more stringent. In captions you have less space to explain the full facts of a story, so it's best to be as simple as possible if you have any doubts. Simple I.D. of a person on trial, for example, is best.

5. NEVER write a caption without seeing the picture. NEVER rewrite a caption without seeing the picture.

6. Wire service photos should contain information about people and places in picture; double check whenever possible. Double check local photographers' information, if at all possible. Photographers are not known to be good spellers. If you are working as a news or photo editor, BE ABSOLUTELY SURE that I.D. info is on the back of pictures when you get them from photographers, and that information is correct. Nothing is worse than trying to write a caption from a photograph with nothing on the back, unfamiliar faces on the front, and the photographer standing next to you, saying, "Aw, jeez, I forgot to ask how she spelled her name."

7. Some pictures may have headlines as well as captions. These are usually pictures that stand alone--unconnected to a story. The caption then stands as a small story and may be three or more lines long.

8. Don't simply describe what is happening in the picture. This is the equivalent of a "dead head."

9. One caption may suffice for more than one photograph (e.g., two pix from same event; pic of scene from movie with inset of film director). BE CAREFUL that caption clearly identifies which part goes with which picture. The news editor or person responsible for final page clearance must double check that pictures have not been moved (so that what was referred to as "above" is now "left," for example).

Last revision: January 16, 2005