Bridging the Gap: Photos and Captions

Blog #4


There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. In some cases, this is true. Powerful images are used to convey a major point or purpose quite often. That being said, adding a caption to a photo allows the message to be pinpointed so that the person viewing the concept knows exactly what it is trying to say. With a description to further explain the message, there should be no confusion or doubt when considering what the purpose is.

For UNICEF, they have made some powerful imagery into a heart-felt message that does ultimately benefit children because the raw nature of the pictures really speaks to people, and sways them to donate to that organization. However, when looking at the pictures, all a viewer knows is that there is a child somewhere in the world that does not have a good life or set of circumstances. For some donors, this is enough for them to open their wallets. Others might question what exactly is going on behind the scenes. The questions they have were obviously not answered by the picture, so how can they get more background on the subject? A description, a caption. An explanation that is crucial to the understanding of the topic must be provided for optimal comprehension. 

It is almost impossible for someone to view an image and know exactly what the photographer or producer was trying to say with it. For example, on UNICEF's photo essay on the rights of a child, there are many different images. All of them seem to have a common theme, though the message remains unclear, that is, until the caption is read. The description informs the reader that in some foreign countries, there are not a lot of children's rights, but here are a few examples of what they should be, etc. Now, the viewer can put the puzzle together. The images of, for example, a little girl sitting on her bed crying with another little boy in the room, now correlate with a children's right that they should be protected from rape and abuse. This makes for a more compelling cause now that it is clear what the issue is, because you realize that the little girl was probably just raped and her state does not provide any aid to her situation, which calls the audience to action effectively.

Words do not need pictures to explain them, rather, it is the other way around. Visual aid helps in catching someone's attention and provoking emotion. Words better explain the issue more than a picture could, and thus are more effective in conveying the concept.

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