Learn about how to best present your photographic work in a slideshow. Presented at the November 2012 Education Meeting by Steve Ray. http://www.comoxvalleycameraclub.org

1. How to Create
An Effective Slide Show
For
ImageFest

2. Overview
 Part 1 – Creating an Effective Slide Show
 Part 2 – Technical Requirements for ImageFest

3. Tell A Cohesive Story
- Keep it Simple – KISS
- Time for just 1 Theme
- Write down your theme and keep it by the
monitor as you choose images to make sure you
are staying on target
- Imagefest is like a book of short stories

4. Tell A Cohesive Story
- Know your Audience
- Either you start with an idea and find your
audience, or you start with your audience and
find an idea.
- If audience can't figure it out they will be bored

5. Tell A Cohesive Story
- Have a interesting beginning
- “Hook” the audience
- Build the pace and quality
- Like a Wave with Peaks and Valleys
- Have a strong finish that wraps up the theme
- Leave your audience satisfied
- Leave them wanting more

6. Video # 1

7. Tell A Cohesive Story
Life Magazine photo narrative formula :
1. Introductory shot
2. Portrait
3. Interaction Shot
4. Signature Shot (sums up the whole story)
5. Detail Shot
6. Clincher or Closing Shot

8. Tell A Cohesive Story
THE LAST IMAGE
IS THE ONE THE AUDIENCE
WILL REMEMBER
THE MOST

9. Tell A Cohesive Story
Use Sequences of WS, MS & CU
WIDE Shot - location of elements
MEDIUM Shot - Interaction of items
CLOSE UP Shot - Details

10. Video # 2

11. Tell A Cohesive Story
- You want to effect the emotions
- People will remember an image that
“Speaks” to them

12. Pacing
- Audience visual attention span
- 3/4 second static image
- 2 - 4 seconds
- 3:00 (180 seconds) / 4 seconds per slide
= 45 Slides

13. Video # 3

14. Pacing
- “Rhythmic-timed” can cause audience to check
out
- Not every image needs equal time
- Build suspense and interest by ebbing and
flowing

15. TRANSITIONS (or lack there of)
- Try to avoid cheesy overused moves etc.
- Dissolves or Fades to/from Black
- I like ¼ to ¾ of a second
- If you must, use something that fits the
connection between the images
- Ripple from water scene, etc.
- soft edges help

16. Video # 4

17. Video # 5

18. SOUND
- Sound elements must “sync” with visuals
- Music or Sound effects or both?
- Sound effects can be very effective without
overpowering visual
eg. Wind, Waves, Cry of a gull, etc.

19. Video # 6

20. SOUND
- Music can steal “the Show”
- Must match content
- Pacing critical
- More than one song
- Photos then Music or vice versa?
- Edit length / Fade music to fit BEST photos

21. MOVEMENT (Within a Slide)
- Ken Burn's effect
- Speed vs Music vs Direction
- Centre of Interest
- Focus attention to specific screen location
- Can Hurt as much as Help
- Video & Stills Mixed

22. Video # 7

23. Video # 8

24. BACKGROUND & TEXT
- Neutral for Photos
- Mid Grey – doesn't effect slide colours
- Text -Off White or Yellow
- Drop Shadow or Outline
- Sanserif better than Serif
- Background Box semi-transparent
- Keep info Simple and Brief

25. REVIEW & REFINE
- Find a willing audience (Food & Beer helps)
- Need honest feedback
- Critical & Supportive friends
- Critical will find flaws & help you improve
- Supportive will also help with improvements &
boost confidence
- LESS is BEST, IF in Doubt, Leave it Out

26. TECHNICAL DETAILS
For
ImageFest

27. File Size
- Final MAX. file size 1920w x 1080h (match
Projector)
- “Landscape” will fill screen vs “Portrait”
- Have a least 1 dimension match, but don't go
over
- Shoot in 16 x 9 Aspect Ratio
- Cameras can also be set to 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, etc.

28. Colour & Luminosity
- Color space for Club Projector is sRGB
- Excellent colour reproduction
- Excellent Projector Contrast - 50,000:1
- Limited Brightness when properly calibrated (850
lumen) so try to keep images bright

29. Video File
- File codex MP4 but Quick time (.MOV) is the
File Type
- Native to MAC but have to convert PC files
-1080P best with 1:1 ratio
- 30 or 29.97 FPS
- Audio 44.1 or 48 kHZ.

30. Video File
- For music avoid MP3 – poor quality (check what
your program will import)
- AFF best audio format
- Stereo sound or put Mono on BOTH channels
- Mix music low if adding voice/SFX
- Fade in and out both Video & Audio

31. Video File
- Save as an IMAGE FILE (DATA DISC)
- DO NOT SAVE AS A DVD
(File will only be 720 x 480)
- Hand in to Committee member before deadline
as NO extensions
- Put YOUR name in the File Name

32. Review
- Tell a Cohesive Story – K.I.S.S.
- Know your Audience
- “Hook” the Audience
- Leave your Audience satisfied
- The LAST Image is the one the audience will
remember the most

33. Review
- Audience visual attention span is short
- Not every image needs equal screen time
- Try to avoid cheesy transitions
- Sound must “sync” with visuals
- Music can “Steal” the show
- Movement within a slide can “hurt” the flow
- Use simple TEXT and colours

34. Review
- Find a willing Audience & edit work
- LESS is BEST
- MAX File Size 1920W x 1080H
- “Landscape” fills better than “Portrait”
- Watch image brightness
- Video file as .MOV
- Save as an IMAGE FILE to DVD

35. Questions ??
For Help: Steve.ray09@gmail.com