Focused description ... ???

Descriptions sell files Sean.  People remember your pics because they have cool, interesting descriptions, especially if you incorporate keywords into them.  I've bought photos before because the description was a dramatic monologue, and I just couldn't forget that photo as I looked through the others.

I've also see buyers complain about a lack of descriptions for editorial work where they want to put something in the caption.  I'm convinced description-writing is part of the art of stock. 

What is enough description, then?

"Man with phone"
"Businessman with phone"
"Businessman with cel phone"
"30-something businessman with cel phone"
"Businessman standing in urban area talking on phone"
"Executive businessman on a corner in Los Angeles being upset that his call isn't connecting"

I mean, all that stuff should be in the keywords (and visually in the image). If someone thinks the description is going to be searched at some point in the future, I'll write a page or two about each image, but if someone's already at the image, I don't want to waste time with elaborate text nobody cares about.

This is one of those things where something that was fine in the past in practice has suddenly changed without warning.

I'm not talking about editorial shots. These are generic model in a situation shots. Doesn't matter where it is, when it is, etc.

Any of these would be fine. How much your put in is entirely up to you, the more detailed the more helpful it will be to someone at some stage.

Thanks Sirimo.  I'll be sure to be more specific in the future.  It's also good to learn more about how the inspection process works, too.

Unfortunately, that view is not based in reality. I can't remember when I cared about a generic description. Places, odd locations, curious objects, yes, I'd love a description. For a woman with a phone, I couldn't care less unless there is something really exciting about that particular woman (natural blonde! model released! now comes in nudes!).

While it's a good marketing tool, for linking multiple images of the same model or location or type, as a buyer the words "woman with phone" are ultimately useless and I don't bother with them.

Context is pretty important!

If someone has a big description, it may get linked through Google differently from the keywords, and boost views and possibly sales. If that's the reasoning, then let's say so, mmm?

* Performs search for "now comes in nudes!" *


For artistic reasons, obviously.