Slideshows and Intro to Photography

1. Slideshows and Intro to Photography Jan. 31, 2013

2. Selecting a multimedia story Considerations: What stories could be (better) understoodand told through pictures, images or audio? What subjects, places and events would provide interesting visuals or sounds? How can you use a multimedia component to add dimension to your reporting? How will it build upon written content?

3. Selecting a multimedia story Good stories don’t just happen. You need to plan. - Create an outline of your intended story. Pay attention to your available resources and time constraints. - Brainstorm potential interviewees and visuals. - Conduct preliminary interviews as needed. - Research what, if any, related content has been developed by other news entities. Determine how yours will differ. - Scan for missing pieces. What critical information is not available to you, and how will you overcome these shortcomings? - Based on the above, hone your story Create a storyboard of your project using slides/sketches and bullet points.

4. Photos Capture everything Start documenting immediately. Don’t be bashful. ~ 5 seconds per photograph 2 or 3 minute slideshow = 24-36 good images If about ¼ of the shots you take are “good” … You should take at least 100 photos. Keep your options open!

5. Photos Capture everything Start documenting immediately. Don’t be bashful. Take multiple images of key items or individuals. Use different views or angles for variety. Assume that everyone wants to be photographed. But be respectful. Pay special attention to capturing images which will serve as good introductions to your story (start of slideshow) and kickers (end). Gather a variety of types of shots.

6. Photos Shoot horizontal When creating images for your slideshow, commit to shooting your photos with one orientation. Specifically, a horizontal one. Horizontal images are almost always preferred.

7. Photos Rule of Thirds: Compose your image to place the focal point or point(s) of interest along the lines or at the intersection of the lines of a Tic Tac Toe grid.

8. Capturing images Wide shots: Establishes the location or context for the story. The scene-setter. May establish characters. Also known as the “long shot.”

9. Capturing images Medium Shots: Presents and frames subjects, often from about the waist up. The go-to image. Brings viewers closer to what was presented in a long shot. Adds depth and focus to scene-setter.

10. Capturing images Close-Ups: Show a particular part of your subject. Adds detail.

11. Capturing images Portrait: Identifies the main subjects, speakers or players in your story. Does not need to be a mugshot. Try to document the individual in his or her “natural habitat,” rather than trying to manufacture one.

12. Capturing images Action shot: Conveys movement or progress. Features people, likely your main subject. Action shots should be directly related to the story you are telling, rather than conveying information about unrelated activities.

13. Producing your video Aim for a video no longer than 2:30 seconds. 5 second rule of thumb for image rotation, but add some variety. Adjust display to compliment music. Variety! A good slideshow needs visual variety. Use creative angles. Rotating through images quickly helps convey action.

14. Producing your video If photographs are worth 1,000 words… Don’t use them to repeat words already used in text or other elements of your story.

15. Sister Judy http://vimeo.com/23760902

16. China’s Future Champions http://www.npr.org/multimedia/2008/07/china_gymnastics/gallery/index.html

17. Dinkytown Tattoo http://jerrybroeckert.com/jb_resources/ss_news/mercy/index.html

18. School construction http://jerrybroeckert.com/jb_resources/ss_news/ben/index.html

19. King Pong http://www.drakejournalism.com/NewsInternet/J102/2012/03/02/king-pong-table-tennis-league/

20. Chicago Street Musicians http://redlineproject.org/jacksonstreetmusicians.php

21. Slideshow No-No’s Slideshow is too long. Or too short. Slideshows lasting more than a couple minutes run a very high risk of boring viewers. The Too-Quick-Photo-Shuffle Images rotate too rapidly, leaving insufficient time for readers to digest the photograph or read captions.

22. Slideshow No-No’s Audio-Visual Discord Music, soundbytes or narration does not pair with images displayed. Such as images of frowning children with upbeat music. Often the result of sloppy editing and failing to evaluate the overall package after production. No captions Captions provide readers with information needed to understand the story being told. This is important when using music (rather than soundbites) to accompany your slideshow.

23. Soundslides The program: Web-based program that can be used for free on Mac or PC Resizes images (does not distort) Allows users to reorder photos once uploaded Allows users to create captions in program or import them Allows users to determine for how many seconds an image is displayed Creating a project creates an entire project folder, which will hold all relevant materials and final product But Soundslides won’t let you: Color correct, rotate or crop images Edit or shorten the audio file you upload to it (.mp3 only) Use images that aren’t in .JPG No Ken Burns-ing in the free version Adjust the length of your video

24. Soundslides Today: 1) E-mail me links to your blog and Twitter 2) Download Soundslides, images and the (one-minute) audio clip. Links are at wwoodwa.wordpress.com 3) Plan the flow of your story. Select about 12-15 images. Upload and practice organizing them within Soundslides. 4) Adjust display time of images, explore custom options 5) Practice writing captions and adjusting display options For next week: 1) Practice using Soundslides at home 2) Blog 3) Identify the story or subject for your slideshow. Conduct interviews and do research as needed. Take photographs. Lots of photographs.