Pure design: Photograph captions

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mario garcia

Photograph captions After 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. 

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pure design

Powerful story enhancers: Photo captions prove to be the storyteller’s best ally in guaranteeing that information is read by lots of readers. 31


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