How to create a Slideshow
Slideshows have many different names like - Professional Slideshow, Custom Slideshow, Video Montage, Photo Montage.
Knowing where to start in creating a slideshow, photo montage is half the battle. Let me give you some tips that will make the process less stressful. Take these few steps prior to creating a slideshow:
Knowing where to start in creating a slideshow, photo montage is half the battle. Let me give you some tips that will make the process less stressful. Take these few steps prior to creating a slideshow:
Your Audience.
Knowing your target audience is important. You want to use photo’s that are relevant for that event. 100 photos of you as a baby for your wedding reception might not be what your quests want to see. Now a few pictures of both bride and groom growing up along with pictures of the bride and groom together would be more appropriate.
Slideshow Length.
This depends on your target audience and how many pictures you want in your slideshow. Start by determining how long your slideshow should be. Then how many pictures you would like to include. A slideshow of 100 pictures is approx 8-12 minutes long depending on the tempo. This is great for wedding receptions. This usually works out to about 3 – 4 songs. I can adjust the time length to fit your need. To do this I can speed up the temp or put 2 or more photos together.
Choose Quality Photographs.
While digital photos look great, we all have older photo’s that have seen better days. I will make sure that the lighting and red eye problems are corrected along with cropping unwanted edges. If your photo has any creases, torn edges or spots, I will do my best to edit them so they will look good. Although digital software as improved over the years, there is only so much that can be corrected. But don’t be afraid to bring a treasured photo that has been damaged to see what I can do.
Video clips.
Video clips are a great way to enhance the feel of a slideshow. It can break up the photo montage and engage your audience. Adding one or two 10-15 second video clips in the middle of the slide show is great.
Music.*
Music is a great way to set the tone and tempo of a slideshow. Choose music that has meaning to you, and that goes well with the pictures. We can clip the music to just the length you want so don’t be afraid to incorporate what you feel will work.
Motion and transitions.
I have hundreds of effects and transitions. Your Slideshow will not be static like on PowerPoint and other consumer level software that typically just go from one picture to the next. Your slideshow will be one of a kind and one your friends and family will not forget.
Don’t forget to Test.
Are you planning on showing your video montage or slideshow at an event like a wedding reception? Test ALL the equipment before that big day. Make sure your projector, television, DVD Player or Laptop, and sound is all working. We always check each DVD before it goes out. But if you do have a problem, let us fix it before the day of the event!
Knowing your target audience is important. You want to use photo’s that are relevant for that event. 100 photos of you as a baby for your wedding reception might not be what your quests want to see. Now a few pictures of both bride and groom growing up along with pictures of the bride and groom together would be more appropriate.
Slideshow Length.
This depends on your target audience and how many pictures you want in your slideshow. Start by determining how long your slideshow should be. Then how many pictures you would like to include. A slideshow of 100 pictures is approx 8-12 minutes long depending on the tempo. This is great for wedding receptions. This usually works out to about 3 – 4 songs. I can adjust the time length to fit your need. To do this I can speed up the temp or put 2 or more photos together.
Choose Quality Photographs.
While digital photos look great, we all have older photo’s that have seen better days. I will make sure that the lighting and red eye problems are corrected along with cropping unwanted edges. If your photo has any creases, torn edges or spots, I will do my best to edit them so they will look good. Although digital software as improved over the years, there is only so much that can be corrected. But don’t be afraid to bring a treasured photo that has been damaged to see what I can do.
Video clips.
Video clips are a great way to enhance the feel of a slideshow. It can break up the photo montage and engage your audience. Adding one or two 10-15 second video clips in the middle of the slide show is great.
Music.*
Music is a great way to set the tone and tempo of a slideshow. Choose music that has meaning to you, and that goes well with the pictures. We can clip the music to just the length you want so don’t be afraid to incorporate what you feel will work.
Motion and transitions.
I have hundreds of effects and transitions. Your Slideshow will not be static like on PowerPoint and other consumer level software that typically just go from one picture to the next. Your slideshow will be one of a kind and one your friends and family will not forget.
Don’t forget to Test.
Are you planning on showing your video montage or slideshow at an event like a wedding reception? Test ALL the equipment before that big day. Make sure your projector, television, DVD Player or Laptop, and sound is all working. We always check each DVD before it goes out. But if you do have a problem, let us fix it before the day of the event!
*Music
The overall feel of the slideshow.
Is the show upbeat? Then choose faster paced music. Is the show personal, for someone special? Then you might want to pick some of their favorite music. For a wedding, you would want to pick romantic music. For a Legacy or older person, you would want music from their time period.
Who is your audience?
Being considerate of who will be watching the slideshow helps to ensure everyone will have an enjoyable experience. Choose music that is appropriate for the audience who will be watching it.
Mix the music styles.
Switching up the music styles where appropriate will keep your audience engaged in your slideshow. Using music from different artist helps to keep the audience for engaged too. The beat and tempo can also change throughout the slideshow. Using music with a different beat adds interest in the slideshow.
You don’t need to use the full song.
You don’t have the use the whole song. The music can be edited to fit only the part that is needed. Some songs are very long, or have long introductions. These can be trimmed to the fit just what is needed.
Remember - It’s Your Slideshow.
At the end of the day the slideshow you are creating is for you (or someone you’re creating it for). Make sure to choose music you like and you’ll enjoy each time you play it.
Is the show upbeat? Then choose faster paced music. Is the show personal, for someone special? Then you might want to pick some of their favorite music. For a wedding, you would want to pick romantic music. For a Legacy or older person, you would want music from their time period.
Who is your audience?
Being considerate of who will be watching the slideshow helps to ensure everyone will have an enjoyable experience. Choose music that is appropriate for the audience who will be watching it.
Mix the music styles.
Switching up the music styles where appropriate will keep your audience engaged in your slideshow. Using music from different artist helps to keep the audience for engaged too. The beat and tempo can also change throughout the slideshow. Using music with a different beat adds interest in the slideshow.
You don’t need to use the full song.
You don’t have the use the whole song. The music can be edited to fit only the part that is needed. Some songs are very long, or have long introductions. These can be trimmed to the fit just what is needed.
Remember - It’s Your Slideshow.
At the end of the day the slideshow you are creating is for you (or someone you’re creating it for). Make sure to choose music you like and you’ll enjoy each time you play it.
Click on a link below to see some music suggestions