Writing/ A1 Writing lessons and / Describing a photograph – A1 English writing
In this lesson, you will learn important things that will help you write a description of a picture.
When you write a description of a photo, the first step is to read the instructions carefully. The instructions tell you exactly what you need to include in your description, so it’s important to follow them closely.
You can introduce your description with phrases like:
Example: “This is a photo of a day at the beach with my friends.”
Then, use the past simple to answer: When? Who took it? Where?
→ “I took this picture last weekend. We were on the beach.”
Use these phrases to describe positions:
Examples:
• “On the right is a woman with a dog.”
• “Shayne is in the middle of the photo.”
• “Todd is in the middle, on the right.”
• “There is some food in the centre, at the bottom of the photo.”
Use there is/are with prepositions (next to, between, opposite, under, etc.) to describe where things are.
Examples:
• “There is a chair next to the table.”
• “A girl is standing between the two boys.”
• “There is a man opposite the door.”
Use the present continuous to describe actions:
• “My friends and I are having a picnic.”
• “Laura is smiling.”
• “They are sitting on the beach and eating sandwiches.”
Connect your sentences with and, but, or, because, so.
❌ “John is standing on the left. He is smiling.”
✅ “John is standing on the left, and he is smiling.”
Use adjectives to describe people and things. They go before nouns or after be/look/seem.
• “It was a beautiful, sunny day.”
• “She has long blonde hair.”
• “She looks happy.”
Group of friends enjoying a picnic on the beach, with food and drinks on a picnic blanket. One man is taking a photo, a woman is smiling, and two people in the background are laughing and talking.
This is a photo of a picnic on the beach. I took the photo last weekend. My friends are sitting on the sand, enjoying the sunny day.
In the middle of the picture, on the left, my friend Emma is smiling and holding some food. She has long blonde hair and looks very happy. On the right, my friend Jack is holding his phone and taking a picture of her.
In the background, you can see Lily and Tom. Lily is wearing a purple top and holding some food. Tom is wearing a yellow shirt, and he is opening his mouth to eat the food in Lily’s hand. On the picnic blanket, there is some fruit, plates, and drinks. There is also a basket with coffee and tea next to Emma.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, and there were colorful kites flying in the sky. Everyone was so happy and relaxed. It was a great day, and I’m glad I captured this moment!