Pure design: Photograph captions

mario garcia

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Photograph captionsAfter headlines and photographs, photo captions capture the most

attention on a newspaper or magazine page. Editors with insight

realize that these small text blocks represent a powerful tool in the

storytelling process. In fact, research shows that readers seldom

move into story texts, that just scanning the other page elements

(including captions) satisfies their appetite. Knowing this, what can

one do to make photo captions more effective?

Always make caption type at least one point size bigger than the

story text.

Increase the leading, or interline spacing, of caption text. Doing so

enhances legibility.

Start each caption with a bold element. A good device is to start

with one or two words in bold written like a miniheadline.

Avoid using the caption to describe what is obvious from the photo

or what is already stated in any accompanying story's headlines.

Instead, provide additional information and enhance storytelling.

Stand-alone photos, without accompanying stories but with fully

informative captions, are particularly effective. Readers love them;

good editors use them whenever possible.

pure design

31

Powerful story enhancers: Photo captions prove to be the storyteller’sbest ally in guaranteeing that infor-mation is read by lots of readers.