On the one hand a statement or story can be a real plus, on the other hand it can really suck and undermine the image. How many people learn photography and writing at an equal rate of proficiency? Maybe some don't want to write and prefer to let the image do the talking, so to speak. Do you look at a painting and say "where is the explaination"? Personally I like a little note about what I am looking at if it is approprate, well thought out and written. Long rambling statements like that don't get to the point, like the one I am writing now, are boring.