Cutline writers should make sure that the words accurately reflect the picture. For example, was a wide-angle lens used? Or time-lapse photography? Explanations also are needed for special effects, such as the use of an inset or a picture sequence. However, the cutline should explain something about how the picture was taken if it shows something not normally observable by the human eye. If it's not evident in the photograph, your telling the reader won't make it happen. The cutline writer should avoid characterizing a picture as beautiful, dramatic, grisly or other such descriptive terms that should be evident in the photograph. The reader should be given the facts and allowed to decide for herself or himself what the feelings or emotions are.ДЄvoid the known explain the unknown. The cutline writer should never make assumptions about what someone in a picture is thinking or try to interpret the person's feelings from his or her expression. Do not point out the obvious by using such phrases as вЂњlooks on,вЂќ вЂњis shownвЂќ and вЂњpictured above.вЂќДon't editorialize. News picture cutlines should be straightforward and clear. Unlike headlines (and caption lines), they should contain all articles and conjunctions, just as do sentences in news stories. Tips and terms: Be concise be precise don't be trite Cutlines should be as concise as possible, but they should not sound like telegrams or machine guns. The cutline should give that information. For example, a picture can show a football player leaping to catch a pass, but it likely does not show that the result was the winning touchdown. It should supply vital information that the picture cannot. They need not - and should not - tell what the picture has made obvious. Simply stated, cutlines should explain the picture so that readers are satisfied with their understanding of the picture. Who is that? (And, in most cases, identify people from left to right unless the action in the photograph demands otherwise.).But for most pictures a reader wants to know such information as: Required information The specific information required can vary from one photo to the next. 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).That's when captions and cutlines must perform. When that look at the photo sparks any interest, the reader typically looks just below the photo for information that helps explain the photo.Often this reader look is merely a glance, so subtle aspects of the picture may not register with many readers. First, the reader looks at the photo, mentally capturing all or most of the most obvious visual information available.Reader behavior When writing a cutline with or without a caption, it is useful to have clearly in mind the typical reader behavior when вЂњusingвЂќ a photograph and accompanying text: Note: Not all photographs carry a caption line. See example.Д¬utlines: Cutlines (at newspapers and some magazines) are the words (under the caption, if there is one) describing the photograph or illustration. For our purposes, we will make the following distinctions.Д¬aptions: Captions are the little вЂњheadlinesвЂќ over the вЂњcutlinesвЂќ (the words describing the photograph). Note: Captions and cutlines are terms that are often used interchangeably, particularly at magazines. As with stories, they must be readable and informative. As with headlines, captions and cutlines must be crisp. It follows that standards of accuracy, clarity, completeness and good writing are as high for captions and cutlines than for other type. Of all the news content, only the titles of stories or headlines have higher readership than captions. Photo captions and cutlines are the most read body type in a publication. (but only if it's got a really good cutline, too!)

Photo analysis example