Captions and Visual Information Record Identification Numbers (VIRINS)

Transcription

1 Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course Captions and Visual Information Record Identification Numbers (VIRINS) A picture is worth a thousand words. This is a common expression and in most cases it is true, but if we add a caption it will rlay the message we intend to give. Often we need a few words to complete the story and describe what is happening in the photo. Writing a sentence or two will help your photo communicate much more to the reader. BAGHDAD -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen on the flight line of Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 25, Clinton is making an unannounced visit to meet with U.S. military leaders and top Iraqi government officials. Clinton also will hold a town hall meeting to visit with U.S. service members and Iraqi civilians. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier, U.S. Air Force/Released) Caption Information Caption Types Writing Guidelines VIRIN The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 1

2 Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course Captions A caption (also known as a cutline) is a written summary that briefly explains a photograph. In this course you will always write two-sentence captions. 1. A caption includes who, what, when, where, and sometimes why and how of a photograph. Look at any publication with photos and you will see this very same information under the image. Captions are required for DoD imagery submitted to the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC). Even the best photos will not be seen without having a proper caption. 2. The first sentence of a caption describes who is doing what in the photo, using the present tense. It also states where and when the photo was taken. The second sentence of a caption provides background information on the photo or describes why the photo is significant. 3. Captions must follow DINFOS writing guidelines. 4. Captions follow the AP Stylebook. WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY Caption Information Caption Types Writing Guidelines VIRIN 2 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

3 Caption types There are three basic types of captions: normal, skeleton and name-line. Normal caption The components of a normal caption include a dateline, identification, action, background and credit line. This is the caption format required for images submitted to any military service website. y Datelines are used for photographs that are released externally and follow AP Stylebook format. Datelines tell readers where the action took place and from where the photo was filed. y Identification satisfies the readers demand to know who is in the picture. In most cases, it will tell the reader the person s service, rank, full name, job title and unit. You will not use courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., and Ms. In captions about sporting events you identify servicemembers by position in sport/on team, name or jersey number instead of rank. There are three ways to identify a subject: action, obviousness and position. Action works when you don t have more than one person performing the same action. Obviousness is the subject most easily recognized in your photo. Identifying a subject by position refers to the words such as left, right, or in the forground. Action is the most preferred way to identify a subject. y The action the subject is performing is always in the first sentence. This links the photo to the caption. Use active voice and present tense to describe the action even if the event took place a year ago. Use strong active verbs to describe the event. Do not state the obvious. y The writer should provide the reader with information that is pertinent and interesting, but not readily apparent in the photograph. Often the background answers the why or how. y The credit line identifies the photographer. For external release photos, you must always include the branch of service with the rank and full name of the photographer. Use only rank and full name for internally released photos. When working in a joint environment, this guideline could differ. Skeleton captions are most often used with photos that accompany an article. The components of a skeleton caption include identification, action and credit line. Name-lines are used to identify the subject of a mug shot. A name line has two components, identification and job title. (The photo credit line is usually placed on the side of or directly underneath the photo.) The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 3

4 Writing guidelines Some simple guidelines to follow when writing captions. y Identify where you took the photo in the dateline. (Always use a dateline for this course) y Write your caption while looking at your enhanced photo. y Remember, some of your readers may not be familiar with all the military jargon. Write your caption in simple, easy to understand language. y Be direct and don t add fluff, or pad your caption. y Use facts that can be verified by others and always double check. y Don t editorialize; your opinion should not be in any caption. y Don t write exactly what is occurring in the photo. Be as descriptive as possible. y You will have many opportunities to write captions and have them critiqued before having them graded and recorded. Take this time to perfect your writing style. This abbreviated form of story writing will become a great asset by enhancing your photographs. FORT DIX, N.J. -- Army soldier from N.Y., 442nd Military Police National Guard Company sprints to the other side of a simulated down High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle while participating in mobilization training in Fort Dix, N.J., April 8, Fort Dix is one of the main training stations for soldiers deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Charles Smith) 4 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

5 Incorrect Staff Sgt. Peter Cuadros, with HQ 1st Bn., 5th Reg., hands out newspapers to Afghan kids here today. The newspaper provides locals with updated information about their government. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is a ground combat elementsdeployed with RCT 7, which conducts counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. (Marine photo by LCpl. Jeremy Harris) Correct NAWA, Afghanistan -- U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Peter Cuadros, with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, hands out newspapers to Afghan kids in the Nawa district of the Helmand province, Nov. 3, The newspaper provides locals with updated information about their government. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is a ground combat element deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7, which conducts counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Harris) The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 5

6 Captions & VIRINs Visual Information Record Identification Number (VIRIN) You must have a VIRIN when submitting photographs to all Department of Defense image archives such as the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center, the Defense Visual Information Center and the American Forces Information Service. This VIRIN is used to identify the photographer and the date the photo was taken. Photographs can be keyword linked so they can be recalled by operation, location, date or photographer s name. 6 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

7 Note: For this course you will use the last four numbers of your social security number. DOD is currently reviewing this policy, and changes are expected, but the timeline for any changes is not yet known. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 7

8 Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course Conclusion Being a photojournalist is just another way to tell the your service s story. If your photo captions are top notch, they will spark interest. If they spark interest, then your stories will get read. You have the power to inform your readers both photographically and with the written word. A good photograph can become a great photo with just some effort put into writing your captions. 8 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

9 References London, B., Upton, J., Kobre, K., and Brill, B. (2001). Photography (7th ed.). Prentice Hall Tompkins, A. (2004). The accidental photojournalist. The Poynter Institute. Retrieved May 11, 2009 Hurley, G. & McDougall, A. (1975). Visual impact in print. Kobre, K. (2000). : The professional a approach, Fourth edition. Focal Press Upton, B. & Upton, J. (1981). Photography. Little, Brown & Co. Morely, D. (1978). The focal guide to action photography. Focal Press, London England Kerns, R. (1980). : Photography with a purpose. Prentice Hall (1987) SECNAVINST A: Public affairs policy and regulation. Retrieved May 04, 2009 Nikon D70 owners manual SB800 Flash Manual BPASC Handbook (2009) The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 9