Photo Captions

The simplest form of photo caption is the title attribute of the HTML img tag.  Although some web browsers display alt attribute text as a pop-up caption when the mouse hovers over the photo, it is better to use the title attribute for captions.  Here is an example of alt text and title text used together:

• <img src="mallard-duck.jpg" alt="mallard duck photo" title="mallard duck">

Within an HTML table, a caption can be included above or below a photograph by specifying the caption element along with the img element, like so:

• <table>
   <caption align="top">Mallard Duck Photograph</caption>
   <tr>
    <td>
     <img src="mallard-duck.jpg" alt="mallard duck" title="mallard duck">
     </td>
    </tr>
   </table>

A caption can also be added to a photo by placing a descriptive title above it or below it, or by floating the photo to the right or left and flowing descriptive text around it, like so:

• <img src="mallard-duck.jpg" style="float:right">

The Pinterest social media site has captured the imagination of many users, with its ability to categorize and caption digital images that people find while browsing the Internet.  Here are links to three sample Pinterest accounts that highlight the use of descriptive captions:

• City Maps Pinterest Boards - maps and photos of major USA cities.
• Jane Hesterman Pinterest Boards - personal interest photographs.
• Online Atlas Pinterest Boards - maps and photos of 50 USA states.
• Zeducorp Pinterest Boards - interesting photos, grouped by subject.

For more info about writing photo captions, see this Writing Photo Captions and Cutlines article by University of Kansas Professor Malcolm Gibson.

Photo Captions - Photograph Titles and Descriptions