Describing a photo – B1+ English writing

Describing a photo

In this lesson, you will learn how to write detailed and engaging photo descriptions in English. You’ll explore how to structure your writing, use descriptive language, and incorporate speculative phrases to make your descriptions richer and more expressive. Check the example below:

➪ Use adjectives to add detail.

➪ Use prepositions to describe position and movement.

➪ Use adverbs of manner to describe how actions are performed.

➪ Use modal verbs and verbs of the senses to speculate about what you see.

Stay organized

Write about the picture in a logical order, starting from the general view and moving to specific details.

Introduction: setting the scene

Begin by giving a general overview of what the picture shows. Mention the main elements and the setting. You can start with ‘This picture depicts/portrays/shows…’

• The picture depicts a row of benches in a park surrounded by trees and grass. Seated on the benches, people seem to be enjoying the early morning sunshine.

In this first paragraph, you can also include a general mention of what you can see in the different parts of the picture (in the foreground, in the background, on the left, etc.)

• In the foreground, there is an empty bench on the left. In the background, a silver car is partially visible…
• Behind the benches is a row of trees, …

Motivation for choosing/taking this photo, specific details and speculation

Continue by saying why you chose or took this picture. Then, begin the main part of the essay with a detailed description. Focus on notable individuals or groups of people, describing their actions, appearance, and possible motivations. Use speculative language to add depth.

• I chose this picture because it captures a peaceful and relaxing moment in nature, …

Personal interpretation and reflection

Share your thoughts or feelings about the picture. Explain why you chose it and how it makes you feel.

• I love this picture because it makes me smile, and I can’t help but think that maybe one day, that will be me—sitting in the park, watching the world go by.

Use adjectives

Adjectives add detail and colour to your descriptions, helping to paint a vivid picture for the reader.

• … a silver car is partially visible …
• I chose this picture because it captures a peaceful and relaxing moment in nature.

Adjective Order: OSASCOM

When using more than one adjective together, follow the OSASCOM order: Opinion (e.g., peaceful, beautiful), Size (e.g., small, large), Age (e.g., old, young), Shape (e.g., round, square), Colour (e.g., red, silver), Origin (e.g., Italian, French), and Material (e.g., wooden, plastic).

• … two small old ladies are quietly facing the sun with their eyes closed …
• … a large, wooden bench sits in the shade of a tall tree …

Use prepositions and prepositional phrases to describe position and movement

Describing Parts of the Picture

When describing the layout of a picture, use specific phrases to talk about different sections. These phrases help the reader understand where to focus.

• In the foreground, there is an empty bench on the left.
• In the background, a silver car is partially visible behind the trees.
• On the right, a woman appears to be talking on the phone.
• At the top, the sky is partially visible through the trees.

Describing Position

Prepositions like next to, behind, near, in front of, and between are useful for explaining where objects or people are in relation to one another.

• Next to the small old ladies, a woman in a pink jacket is looking at the camera.
• Behind the benches, there is a row of tall trees.
• In front of the benches, the green grass is neatly trimmed.

Describing Movement

Prepositions like towards, up, over, and into help describe the direction of movement in the scene. These words indicate where people or objects are moving relative to other parts of the picture.

• A woman is walking peacefully towards the camera.
• A bird is flying over the trees in the background.

Use adverbs of manner

Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. They add detail to your sentences, making your descriptions more vivid and engaging. Common adverbs of manner include peacefully, quietly, slowly, quickly, gracefully, and happily.

Position in the Sentence

Adverbs of manner are usually placed after the main verb or verb phrase.

• The woman is walking peacefully towards the camera.
• The children are playing happily on the grass.

They can also appear before the main verb for emphasis (less common).

• Two small old ladies are quietly facing the sun with their eyes closed.

Modal verbs for speculation

Modal verbs such as must, might, could, and can’t help convey different degrees of certainty:

Must: Indicates a high degree of certainty.

• They must be enjoying the early morning sunshine.

Might/Could: Suggests possibility without certainty.

• They could all be expecting something to happen, like a game of bowls on the green in front of them.

Can’t: Denotes that something is almost certainly not the case.

• She can’t be more than six years old.

Verbs of the senses

Verbs of the senses like seem, appear, and look are helpful for making observations that are not definitive:

Seem/Appear:

• The woman appears to be pushing a pram while talking on the phone.

Look:

• She looks serious and seems to be waiting for someone.
• It looks as if they haven’t seen the sunlight in a long time.