There are a few key elements to describing a photo or picture. First, use "there is/are" to identify what objects are in the picture. Second, use the present continuous tense to describe what actions people in the picture are doing. Finally, locations of objects and people can be specified using prepositions like "at the top," "in the middle," "on the left," etc. Descriptions may also note things that are unclear using modal verbs.

1. DESCRIBING A PHOTO OR
PICTURE
English File Pre-Intermediate 1c

2. When we describe a picture (painting or photo)
we normally use:
There is/are to say what’s in the picture
There is a table and a vase with flowers in it.
There are two people.

3. When we describe a picture (painting or photo)
we normally use:
The presente continuous to say
what the people are doing
The woman is standing and the man is sitting.

4. Sometimes we combine
there is/are and
the present continuous
There is a woman standing near the window.

5. What is in the picture?
In the picture I can see ...There’s /There are ...There isn’t
a ... /There aren’t any ...
Say what is happening with the present continuous
The man is ...ing ,The people are ...ing, It’s raining.
Where in the picture?
At the top/bottom of the picture ...
In the middle of the picture ...
On the left/right of the picture ...
next to
in front of
Behind
near
on top of
under
If something isn’t clear
It looks like a ...
It might be a ...
He could be ...+ing
Maybe it’s a .