how and where to put captions for publication

Rere · Aug 16, 2009

Hi,

I'm going to submit some photos along with an article I've written to some publications. Most ask for captions of the photos. I have the Photographer's Market and The Writer's Market and cannot find any instructions anywhere on where to put the captions.

I've read guidelines, done Google searches, and searched this site, but could not find the info that I need.

Is there anyone out there who can advise me or send me a link about this?

Thanks in advance
Rere

musicaleCA · Aug 16, 2009

Won't just listing off the caption for each image's filename be enough for the printer/publisher?

Rere · Aug 17, 2009

Won't just listing off the caption for each image's filename be enough for the printer/publisher?

Don't know, but guess I'll do that. Thanks for responding.

Dwig · Aug 17, 2009

In addition to the list of filenames and matching captions, I would suggest that you fill in the appropriate IPTC fields in each file's header. This can easily be done in either Photoshop or Bridge (and presumably Lightroom) using the "File Info" option. There are other utilities and applications that provide the same function.

craig · Aug 17, 2009

Dwig said:
In addition to the list of filenames and matching captions, I would suggest that you fill in the appropriate IPTC fields in each file's header. This can easily be done in either Photoshop or Bridge (and presumably Lightroom) using the "File Info" option. There are other utilities and applications that provide the same function.

Dwig has got it correct. And be sure to completely fill out all fields. I have been in the AD's chair and bounced many photographers that could not pull off this extremely important task.

Love & Bass

Josh66 · Aug 17, 2009

Dwig said:
I would suggest that you fill in the appropriate IPTC fields in each file's header.

I always thought that was akin to exif - automatic... Is that not the case?

craig · Aug 17, 2009

Fields such as camera make and model. Exposure and ocal length are automatic. You must add everything in the description field.

Love & Bass

Dwig · Aug 17, 2009

O|||||||O said:
Dwig said:

I would suggest that you fill in the appropriate IPTC fields in each file's header.

Click to expand...

I always thought that was akin to exif - automatic... Is that not the case?

Akin to EXIF? Yes. Automatic? No, how could it be? How could the camera know the wording of the caption you want?

The IPTC fields were created by and for the newpaper and magazine world. The can exist in a wide range of file types, no just digital images. There are standard fields for description, caption, keywords, creator, credit/byline, creation date, copyright status, ... .

Unlike EXIF, where the camera can know the needed info, IPTC fields can't be filled in automatically. Some applications and utilities that manipulate these fields support having "templates" that can be pre-configured with standard information that fits an individual user's needs (e.g. copyright holder's name and URL, ...).