Audio describer is part journalist, faithfully relaying the facts:

When/Where:
What time of day is it? (Light or dark? Cloudy or sunny?)
What is the location?
Who:
Who is in the image?
Names are less important than what someone looks like.
Age:
What does he/she look like?
The things you see that prompt you to think the individual is a certain age
Shortcuts are also used: Ex: in her late forties, in his sixties, preteen, teenage.
Hair/Build/Clothing:
Example:
Cropped brown hair, long blonde hair, redheaded woman.
Slim, tall, stocky,
Dressed in a white pantsuit, wearing a blue floral dress, in a bright red sweater.
Relationship:
Example:
Taller, shorter
Mother, father, son, brother-in-law
Only note a specific familial relationship if it is known or has already been established.
Characters/people:
Describe individuals by using the most significant physical characteristics.
Identify ethnicity or race, vital to comprehension of content.
Citing race of nonwhite individuals sets white as the default and is unacceptable.
Race or color of skin should be conveyed when known or if it is important to the content.
What:
Explain what is happening: what actions are most important for a clear understanding and appreciation of the images.
Describe expressive gestures and movement.
Refrain from what you think is inferred in terms of emotions.
Be specific: specificity creates images in minds’ eye to a greater degree than a general reference.
Example: how many things are there? What is the position? Is the image a photograph, is it in color or black and white?
Remember that less is more: Clarity is the main aim of audio description.
[Image being described] should be allowed to breathe from time to time. Allowing the atmosphere to come through. Weed out what is not essential.
Be clear, concise and conversational: use everyday terms, limit use of slang or jargon.
Remember point of view and narrative tense:
Deliver description in present tense.
Use third person to show neutrality and non-interference.
Consider your audience.
Consider the material: Use language consistent with content of material.
 Avoid saying “we see, notice, or view” it is a given.
Vary word choices.
Use definite or indefinite articles appropriately.
Be careful with pronouns:
Only use when it is clear to whom or what the pronoun refers.
Identify words that have multiple meanings:
Be sure the intended meaning is conveyed.
Avoid censorship:
Describers must convey all of the visual elements of the material being described, DO NOT censor any information for any personal reason.
Objectivity:
Being a “verbal camera lens” – objectively recounting visual aspects of an event.
Let listeners come up with their own interpretations on a commentary that is as objective as possible.
Example: Do not say “he is furious,” instead say, “he’s clenching his fist”.
“What you see is what you say” (WYSIWYS)
Imagination:
Describer must use language that helps others see vividly.
Describer’s must develop their ability to see beyond what is readily apparent.
Use metaphor and simile:
Describe shapes, sizes, other essential attributes of images by comparing to items, objects, or areas that are familiar to the intended audience.

Make meaning with our voices.

Pronunciation:
Prepare in advance, use transliterations to indicate pronunciation.
Enunciation/Word Rate:
Speak clearly and at a rate that can be understood.
Try speaking descriptions to yourself to make sure they flow casually.
Consonance:
Voicer’s delivery should be consonant with the nature of the material being described.
Voice should match the pace (word rate), energy, and volume of material.
Example: Language and vocal delivery to describe a fight scene will be different than that of a love scene.
Allow the performance to set the tone and rhythm of the description, remembering the performance and NOT the describer should be the focus.