01
Edit the photographs before the page
Start with a small, varied selection: one establishing view, one human moment, a close detail and a quieter image. Remove near-duplicates. A landscape and a portrait can create a more interesting page rhythm than a row of similar wide shots.
02
Use dates and places as anchors
Original image files may contain capture dates and GPS coordinates. LayoutFern reads available metadata locally, but missing metadata stays empty. Check the date and add a place name you can confirm. The newspaper does not infer a city from coordinates or from an AI guess.
03
Caption what the picture cannot say
A useful caption adds a remembered detail: why you stopped, what you noticed, or what happened just outside the frame. Avoid simply describing visible colors. If you use AI, supply your intended reader and real context, then replace generic language with your own memory.
04
Give each page a role
Let the opening page set the scene. Use an inside page for a sequence or a smaller collection of details. Read through the PDF at normal size and look for repeated images, overlong captions and abrupt changes in tone. Keep a downloaded copy outside the browser.
A few practical questions
Are my original photos uploaded for AI writing?
The editor sends compressed previews when you request AI writing. Original photo drafts stay in this browser. Raw GPS coordinates are excluded from writing requests.
Can I include camera settings?
Yes, when they are present in the original file. You can choose to show focal length, aperture, shutter speed and ISO beneath a photograph.
Do my drafts follow me to another device?
No. Signing in manages your account and credits, not cloud storage for newspapers. Drafts remain in the browser where you created them.