CatFeb 13, 2023
I see we have an influx of new accounts again, welcome!
Here on Mastodon, it's encouraged to add captions (alt-text) to your images.
I realize this can be daunting for those who are not writers, and it can feel like a "homework" assignment with no instructions on how to start.
Your friendly neighborhood transcriptionist is here to help!
I am compiling a small "library" of images with examples of bad, okay, and good image captions in this thread.
If you are struggling, you can reply to this thread with an image, and I will try my best to write you a decent example to learn from.
#AltText #CaptionTips
jaz  Jan 11, 2023

đź’ž This week's #MercherMindful is @Cat_LeFey discussion on image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist: https://pagan.plus/@Cat_LeFey/109569597946233246

#AltText is incredibly helpful to a large number of our members for many reasons, including blindness and low vision, dyslexia, and simply processing context and meaning from your uploaded content.

If you'd like to be reminded when your uploads don't have a description, follow @PleaseCaption for when you forget!

#MidWeekMindful #MastoMods #KeepTŵtTidy

Cat (@Cat_LeFey@pagan.plus)

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist: 1. Any words are better than nothing. 2. You don't need to say it's "a picture of…" screen readers will already say it's an image. 3. Start with the framing or format (i.e. close up, landscape, meme, text). 4. Think about the reason you're posting the pic and describe that first, add background details if you have time. 5. Pretend you're talking to someone on the phone and want to tell them about this cool thing you're looking at. 6. Transcribe any and all text in the image, even if it's the only thing you do. 7. If you've described the image in your post, you don't need to copy and paste it again in the caption. But again, don't leave it blank, just put something like "as described." 8. You can add small subjective notes, but don't give too much interpretation of the image in your own opinion. 9. Caption jokes are fun, as long as they still describe the image objectively. 10. Use punctuation, and capitalize words properly. A lot of us have interacted with this tech when calling customer service or talking to Siri, so keep in mind that you're writing for a computer to read, and it needs all the help it can get.

Pagan+
JeroenDec 26, 2022

@philippmichelreichold

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist:
https://pagan.plus/@Cat_LeFey/109569597946233246

Cat (@Cat_LeFey@pagan.plus)

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist: 1. Any words are better than nothing. 2. You don't need to say it's "a picture of…" screen readers will already say it's an image. 3. Start with the framing or format (i.e. close up, landscape, meme, text). 4. Think about the reason you're posting the pic and describe that first, add background details if you have time. 5. Pretend you're talking to someone on the phone and want to tell them about this cool thing you're looking at. 6. Transcribe any and all text in the image, even if it's the only thing you do. 7. If you've described the image in your post, you don't need to copy and paste it again in the caption. But again, don't leave it blank, just put something like "as described." 8. You can add small subjective notes, but don't give too much interpretation of the image in your own opinion. 9. Caption jokes are fun, as long as they still describe the image objectively. 10. Use punctuation, and capitalize words properly. A lot of us have interacted with this tech when calling customer service or talking to Siri, so keep in mind that you're writing for a computer to read, and it needs all the help it can get.

Pagan+
Show threadM EiloDec 25, 2022
@MeanwhileinCanada Alt text is a short description of the image. When you add an image it should say "no description" on it. If you tap that you can add text. It makes images accessible to blind and low vision folks. There's a great post on #CaptionTips with more guidance.
Show threadCatDec 25, 2022

Whew! Thank you all so much for the boosts, what an awesome community!

I'll take this opportunity to add clarification on some of my #CaptionTips:
2. The reason not to start with the words "image" or "picture" specifically is because the screen reader will announce it with those words, so it will sound like "image image of a cat." Not a big deal, just sounds a little odd. Instead, I suggest starting with the format (photograph, portrait, chart, Facebook screenshot, text, all of these are good!)

10. When a screen reader comes across a comma or period, it takes a little pause, to mimic natural speech. So just put commas and periods where you would naturally pause when speaking. And if you, like, use too many, it's better than not using enough. Capitalize after a period, then use caps sparingly. Capitals are read out letter by letter, so ask yourself if that's how you want them read.

CatDec 24, 2022

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist:

1. Any words are better than nothing.
2. You don't need to say it's "a picture of…" screen readers will already say it's an image.
3. Start with the framing or format (i.e. close up, landscape, meme, text).
4. Think about the reason you're posting the pic and describe that first, add background details if you have time.
5. Pretend you're talking to someone on the phone and want to tell them about this cool thing you're looking at.
6. Transcribe any and all text in the image, even if it's the only thing you do.
7. If you've described the image in your post, you don't need to copy and paste it again in the caption. But again, don't leave it blank, just put something like "as described."
8. You can add small subjective notes, but don't give too much interpretation of the image in your own opinion.
9. Caption jokes are fun, as long as they still describe the image objectively.
10. Use punctuation, and capitalize words properly. A lot of us have interacted with this tech when calling customer service or talking to Siri, so keep in mind that you're writing for a computer to read, and it needs all the help it can get.