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Re: Annotated images

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From: Patrick Lauke
Date: Feb 9, 2007 6:50AM

> Chris Price

> In the pages of a new website I'm placing images, each of which has a
> brief description below it plus the photographer's name.
>
> If I leave the 'alt' attribute empty, the accompanying
> description will
> mean nothing if the image isn't displayed. However, if the image is
> described (in the 'alt') it just adds to the clutter for
> those who don't
> see the image.
>
> The images provide a visual handle on the text but aren't
> necessary to
> understand the text.
>
> Any thoughts?

I'd say leave out the alt (or rather, go for a null alt, alt=""), as the caption serves as alternative for the image already - though I think JF may disagree on this ;)

At a stretch, if you're concerned about situations in which images are not displayed, you could put an alt="Photograph" or similar, but I wouldn't get more descriptive than that.

P