@blakereid @ftg The problem is that I'm a photographer, not a poet. And abstract subjects (as opposed representational ones) demand poetry here.
Imagine writing alt-text for a Jackson Pollock painting. It would probably be something like "paint splattered on canvas". Now do the alt-text for a DIFFERENT Pollock. Describing one in a way that's usefully different from all the others is hard, especially without imposing an interpretation (which is something the artist may be specifically avoiding).
How about:
"Number 1, 1949" painting by Jackson Pollock
or:
"Convergence" painting (1991) by Jackson Pollock
or:
"Alchemy" painting (1947) by Jackson Pollock
"Paint splattered on a canvas" isn't helpful but you're smart enough to have known that already.
Alt text doesn't have to be perfect, but it doesn't hurt you to make an effort, at least not too much, does it?
Don't know the title? "A painting by Jackson Pollock (sorry don't know title)."
@dlauri @blakereid @ftg I never said you shouldn't include alt-text for abstracts.
However, I am pointing out that demanding meaningful alt-text from the artist is sometimes effectively asking them to create a new work in a different medium.
Do the best you can do in a few seconds. A photo you just took that's just of some paint you splattered on a canvas? "Photo I just took of splattered paint."
Alt text isn't a homework assignment, it's something useful to some people and nice of you to provide.
@dlauri @blakereid @ftg But that's the thing. Maybe what I think is important about this (hypothetical) image isn't captured by that description. In fact, I might think that applying it belittles or distracts from what I'm trying to achieve.
The point here is it's hard, and especially hard when it's the artist doing it. The alt-text becomes PART of the work.
Then put "Sorry, I can't think of alt text for this photo" or "Sorry, I don't have time to write meaningful alt text for this." At least then people know you're aware of alt text.
Or don't. I don't care enough to stop following you or to block you if you don't. But don't be surprised then if people try to tell you about alt text.
Matt Blaze
David Lauri 