Ask Doctor Howie

Images – illustrations, photos, tables, charts August 26, 2009

Now that you’ve written your material, you might choose to add some images to complement your words.

Depending on the nature of your project, tables and charts might be most appropriate. Remember to label them clearly and consecutively and to reference them within your text.

Of course, if your project is a children’s book or an art book, then most of it will comprise images — illustrations or photos. In these kinds of projects, your words will complement or even explain the images.

Remember that images should be used sparingly and in such a way that they don’t take away from what you’re saying. Make sure they have an explanation (known as a caption and usually in a different style — set beside, above or below the image) that clearly describes what they are, unless they are completely self-explanatory.

Colour is way more expensive to print than black-and-white (also known as greyscale for B&W photos). If publishing on the internet, colour adds no cost.