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Every image should have a good image caption. An image caption is a short description explaining the photo's subject and the location, and what is happening in the picture. Image captions are essential in geography, nature, botany, zoology, research, industry, medicine, science, etc. Even images that might seem self-explanatory, such as lifestyles or business situations, should be submitted with a clear and descriptive caption to help customers quickly understand what is shown in those images.
The image caption must contain all of the relevant or essential information in all kinds of images. The information should be clear, precise, and factual. Use proper punctuation and logical order to avoid a mass of confusing information. Be as concise as possible so that the client can find important information very quickly. Good captions are those that identify the subject of the picture and provide context for it.
All images should include information about the location where they were taken. Location information may help the customers, even if the place is not the main focus of the image. Such information may be omitted in studio shots, abstract imagery, etc.
Besides following these general principles, each image category demands some specific information.
All captions must be supplied in English. Buildings or landmarks with common non-English names (e.g. "Gamla Stan," "Grote Markt") are recommended to be captioned in both English and non-English names ( e.g. "Gamla Stan (Old town)," "Grote Markt (Grand Place)").
If you are using a translator to translate descriptions from your native language into English, make sure that you are not translating untranslatable names of people or places and rendering them unidentifiable (e.g. avoid translating proper names like "José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero", former Spanish prime minister, into "José Luis Rodríguez Shoemaker").
Finally, please be sure that your information is accurate. Use reliable sources, and if in doubt, it is better to give less information than provide information that might be incorrect. A cathedral from the 12th century cannot be baroque, nor is an Iranian the same as an Arab or Sardinia part of France. If you're not sure about your facts, it is better that you don't include them. Or better still, make sure you verify in Wikipedia that what you say is correct. Understandably, clients don't like to buy photos that are labeled with misleading or false information. This principle also applies to the keywording information that you add.
If you have any doubts, or need further information, please contact
photodepartment@agefotostock.com.