Once you get used to it, alt text is a lovely part of posting images. It's great to know that more people can enjoy them & it's also a chance to think about what's special about the image you've chosen. Describing what you love about that sunset, that fascinating building, that particular stone 😍 - ThreadSky

sarahmay1.bsky.social • 102 days ago

Once you get used to it, alt text is a lovely part of posting images. It's great to know that more people can enjoy them & it's also a chance to think about what's special about the image you've chosen. Describing what you love about that sunset, that fascinating building, that particular stone 😍

Reposted from Sarah May

Also, alt text is not a caption for a credit or a joke response to the image. It gives screen readers the info to give to their users.
You need to describe the image for people who can't see it. What do you want them to know about the image you've chosen?
Using it for jokes is doubly exclusive

Comments

naomijacobs.bsky.social•102 days ago

You make a very good point. I’ll try and make sure I’m not doing this in future. The fact that in Bluesky alt text comes up like a caption may be a problem here. But I’ll do better

sparkymarky1973.bsky.social•102 days ago

Never thought of it like this, thank you

jothehat.bsky.social•102 days ago

I wonder if some people think explaining the joke in the alt text stops it being funny. It would explain some of the not great descriptions I've seen. I encourage people to think of it like describing the image over the phone to make sure they include everything that is relevant.

sarahmay1.bsky.social•102 days ago

Yeah, I think there is a 'don't explain the joke' thing happening, or trying to communicate beyond words. But that communication still stands even if you broaden it

jimdixon.bsky.social•102 days ago

I was just thinking yesterday that it’s a good bit of practice describing buildings and features.

ladyliminal.bsky.social•102 days ago

It’s also good practice for curators, project managers, museum/gallery/heritage workers who are, or are looking to, incorporate Audio Description into their projects.
I’m currently working with the @RNIB in this respect & I’m learning lots of things that I’ll definitely be taking forward with me 🙂

sarahmay1.bsky.social•102 days ago

Ooh! That sounds interesting. And agree, People working in the culture sector really need to develop their skills on communicating in many different ways. Images don't speak for themselves, even to folks with no vision impairment

ladyliminal.bsky.social•102 days ago

Indeed
On a slightly different tangent, I’ve also been undertaking training that will enable me to help guide people who are blind or who live with sight loss, through different physical environments. I have learned so much & have already been able to put it to use whilst on the tube the other day🙂

sarahmay1.bsky.social•102 days ago

That's excellent

ladyliminal.bsky.social•102 days ago

I’m really pleased that I was offered the opportunity 🙂

sarahmay1.bsky.social•102 days ago

Exactly! If it's worth posting, you probably know what's interesting about it