Caption Writing

Pen and pad are just as essential as the camera for a photojournalist. Getting an image is only the beginning, and in some cases the easier part of the job. Writing a caption must contain all the necessary information, while being factual and creative. This information must include the 5 W's and the H, and should be in a particular order depending upon the importance of the information.
When writing a caption, the photojournalist also must be aware of the rules of grammar that are particular for “caption-writing.” These can vary from newspaper to newspaper, but for the most part, are universal. Where to put a comma, how to portray the time of day, and what should be capitalized are a few of the particulars that are important.
A photojournalist takes only a moment to capture the image, after setting up the shot by adjusting the camera's settings (iso, shutter speed, lighting, metering etc.) and planning the location, perspective and availability of the subject.
The photographer must also gather all the information that will be included in the caption. Getting the correct spelling of a name and the placement of that person in the image, are extremely important for the photojournalist. These details can make the difference between the image going in the editor's garbage pail and being used for the next edition.