Informative images

How to write text descriptions for images that communicate information, convey a mood, or add to the user experience.

Part of:How to write text descriptions (alt text) in 成人快手 News articles

Contributors

  • Text descriptions working group
  • Johny Cassidy

What are informative images?

This type of image communicates information, conveys a mood, or adds to the user experience in some way.

Examples include photos of people, scenery, or objects that are closely related to the content, even if they're not directly discussed within the piece.

There may be overlap between informative images and decorative images. The more relevant the image is to the story, the more likely it's an informative image.

Example

A court sketch of prisoner Charles Bronson shows him in black suit and tie, wearing a white shirt.

Original text description: "A court sketch of prisoner Charles Bronson shows him in black suit and tie, wearing a white shirt".

This is a useful description (and yes, it is helpful to include colours).

Recommended text description: "A court sketch of a shaven headed Charles Bronson in dark glasses wearing a black suit and tie sitting at a table with a drink in front of him".

This conveys the right amount of detail and context.