Writing/ B1 Writing lessons and / Describing a photo – B1+ English writing
How to Write Detailed & Engaging Descriptions
In this lesson, you will learn how to write clear, vivid, and engaging descriptions of photos in English. You’ll discover how to:
Check out the example below to see these techniques in action!
Photo prompt: A group of people sitting on benches along a paved path in a park, with trees and grass surrounding them, and a person walking nearby.
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 the foreground, there is an empty bench on the left. In the background, a silver car is partially visible, and a woman appears to be pushing a pram while talking on the phone. Behind the benches is a row of trees, and a woman is walking peacefully towards the camera.
I chose this picture because it captures a peaceful and relaxing moment in nature, and I found it beautiful to see all those people sitting together in a row. It looks as if they haven’t seen the sunlight in a long time, as they are all sitting quietly, enjoying the warmth.
In the middle of the picture, sitting on two separate benches, two small old ladies are quietly facing the sun with their eyes closed, just like two little sunflowers. Next to them, a woman in a pink jacket is looking directly at the camera. She looks serious and seems to be waiting for someone, as she has saved a seat next to her by placing her backpack on it. Towards the end of the row, two old men are chatting, so I think they might have arrived together. The others, however, look like strangers who just happened to be at the park at the same time. They could all be expecting something to happen, perhaps a game of bowls on the green in front of them.
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.
Write in a logical order: start with a general overview, then move to specific details (foreground → background, left → right, etc.).
Begin with a general statement:
Explain why you chose the photo and describe key people/objects:
End with your feelings or thoughts:
Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Colour → Origin → Material
Usually placed after the verb:
Start general, then add specific details.
Use adjectives, prepositions, and speculative language to bring your photo to life!
✨ A great photo description tells a story — even without words! ✨