This information is for members preparing image files for the Port Now! exhibition.
Types of captions
We require two types of captions for the exhibition
It's not mandatory that both captions are identical. For example, the small caption doesn't have to be the first paragraph of the large caption. If you think a different style or content is appropriate for the small caption, feel free to write it that way.
About writing captions
Do your best to write comprehensive captions for each purpose: the
booklet and the gallery card. These things will look much better if a worthwhile
caption is present, rather than a few lonely or redundant (See Informative
captions please) words on a large blank space.
Don't worry too much about finessing the words. Members of the Committee will edit and fine tune the words if necessary. However, it's up to each photographer to research and provide enough information and facts to make the captions worthwhile. Remember that we are not just running a photography exhibition, we are creating an historical document in the form of the Port Now! booklet. A booklet that can sell beyond the exhibition period - the sales of which will benefit our club. Every booklet sold will return some profit to the club because the printing has been funded by a grant.
Please have a genuine go at writing your captions and embedding them in your files. It will save a lot of work for the few responsible for pulling the project together.
Informative captions please
Don't simply describe the photograph or say something like "This photo
was taken at..." The gallery cards and booklet will become tedious to read.
Include information that cannot be gleaned by just viewing the photograph. This
adds value to the document, especially for visitors to the area and prospective
purchasers of the booklet.
Just as club members become annoyed with judges who simply describe the competition image being viewed (We can all see, for example, that's it's a photo of a man fishing on the beach!), viewers of the exhibition and readers of the booklet won't find that the captions add any value if they simply describe what is visible to all viewers.
This is a poor caption: This photo was taken from Gaol Point overlooking Town Beach.
This is a better caption: The antique gun at Gaol Point was donated to the people of Port Macquarie by…xxxxx. It is a relic of the ship xxxx. The landmark was named Gaol Point because it was the site of…xxxxx These days, rather than signifying a place of incarceration, the Gaol Point lookout provides views of some of Port Macquarie’s most well known and used playgrounds – Town Beach, the breakwall and the Hastings River. Etc. etc.
Known individuals
If people in the photograph are known to you - or you've made it your
business to find out about them for the exhibition image - try to obtain a quote
from them that is relevant to the subject of the photograph.
Example
Ferry driver, Neil Sinclair.
Ask questions like...
The answers to questions like those above will provide great caption fodder.
Photo essays
If you have a series of photographs that constitute a photo essay, it's not
necessary to have a large (booklet) caption for each one. It's only necessary
to have a large caption for the first (introductory) image in the photo essay.
However, all images in the photo essay require at
least a short caption of a sentence or two.
Photographer's note
Here's a great idea for building value into your large captions. Add a photographer's
note at the end.
If you find it difficult to write a large caption about the image, you'll probably find it an easier matter to talk about what inspired you, as a photographer, to make the image: or something about the technique used to capture the image.
If talking about technique, keep it informative but not too deep. By and large, readers will be interested in the ideas or general technique behind the image but not so much in the brand of camera or model of the lens. Such information is esoteric and not appropriate for the booklet. Art books don't describe the brands of brushes used!
Here's an example of a photographer's note to add value to the large caption:
Photographer’s note: “For me as a photographer, the loss of the old sheds in Limeburners will mean that this area - which reminds me of scenes in the bayous of Lousiana - will forever lose its special character and appeal. It’s time to document these historic buildings before they are taken. In its current state, the area is a treasure trove of subjects for black and white photography”.
Note: If adding photographer's notes to your captions, please start the paragraph with the words 'Photographers note' and a colon, like this - Photographer's note: - and include your words in quotation marks.
Another example of a photographer's note.
Photographer’s note: “What appeals to me about street photography at the Town Green is the constant variety of activity. Locals and holidaymakers alike enjoy relaxing by the river or eating a meal of fish and chips in the cool of the evening. Lady Nelson Wharf attracts anglers, kids on scooters and families with young children. It's a place where a lot of quality time is spent. We're fortunate to have this great facility in Port”.