Photo slide shows: advanced step-by-step

Introduction

Ideas for making a photo slide show

Birthdays: Arrange photos in chronological order for an at–a–glance look at how a person has changed over the years. Enhance your slide show by adding music from the same era.

Weddings/anniversaries: Include photos of the couple "then and now," along with the song they first danced to at their wedding.

Graduations: Highlight the graduate's major achievements through photos.

Sports: Make a slide show of a sports team's proudest moments to display at an end-of-the-season party.

Make it a keepsake or a gift: Save your slide show to a disc and send to friends and family in lieu of a traditional holiday card. Learn how to create a DVD or CD label for your disc using an HP Photosmart printer.

How to create a slide show

Step one: Import your photos

Step two: Arrange your photos

Slide photos left or right on the Timeline to determine the length of time each photo appears on the screen.

The default time is five seconds per photo, but you can shorten or lengthen that time depending on the mood you are trying to convey.

• Assemble your slide show like you would a short story—include a few simple, introductory photos and work your way up to a climactic finish with bright colors and lots of action. You can vary the length that each photo is on the screen, speeding up near the exciting ending.
  
  
• Use photos that were taken one right after the other to show action in a photo slide show. Try this technique to capture a sporting event or a child playing with an animal.
  

Quick tip: Preview your slide show

Enhance your slide show with effects and transitions

• To browse these effects, go to Edit Effects in the Tasks toolbar. Click on an Effect and press Play to preview it on a sample image.
  
• To apply the Effect to a picture in your slide show, drag it to the Timeline toolbar, and drop the effect on the image of your choice.
  
• Preview by pressing Play.

Transitions are like Effects, but they appear as you move from one picture to another. To add a Transition, select Edit Transitions from the Tasks toolbar, and drag the transition of your choice to the Timeline toolbar. Press Play to preview your slide show.

• Use visual Effects sparingly so that they enhance your photos without distracting.
  
  
• Limit yourself to one or two Transitions and use them throughout the slide show to keep it consistent from beginning to end.
  

Add text to your slide show

• Fonts: Choose a bold font that's easy to read, even from a distance.
  
  
• Colors: Select vibrant colors that match your photos. Be especially careful when placing text over photos—you may need to change the color of the text so that it remains visible.
  

Include music in your slide show

Drag the imported audio clip to the Timeline toolbar in the Audio/Music column, and press Play to preview your slide show with sound.

• Let music set the mood. Use upbeat music if you're showing the slide show at a party, or choose something with slower tempo for a business meeting.
  
• When in doubt, try instrumental music. It provides a nice backdrop to your photos without overwhelming.
  
• Pick music that complements your overall theme. If you're making a slide show for someone's birthday, for example, consider playing his or her favorite song.
  

Save and share your slide show

HP digital photo frames
Display your slide show on a high-resolution HP digital photo frame like the HP 8" df820 series Digital Picture Frame.

Simply store your slide show on a flash drive, like the HP v125w 4GB USB Flash Drive and transfer it to the frame. You can even experience your slide show audio using the frame's built-in stereo speakers.

Play your slide show on a TV
Create DVDs by saving your slide show to HP DVD-R Inkjet Printable Media and printing a custom label right on the disc using an HP Photosmart printer like the HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Fax, Copier. Learn how to create a DVD or CD label.

Print your photos
Now that you've preserved some of your favorite photo memories in a slide show, print those treasured photos on a high-quality photo paper like HP Advanced Photo Paper.so you can store them in a scrapbook or display on your wall.

Learn more

• After viewing your slide show, friends and family may want copies of their favorite photos—get quick tips for perfect prints.
• Learn how to choose the right HP photo paper for every project.
• Discover how to fix photo flaws with the basics of photo editing.