Last time we discussed a simple formula for getting a rough estimate of how long your slideshow is going to run, based on the number of photos in your show. Let’s review: number of photos multiplied by the time each photo is displayed on the screen (which we’ll call “duration”). The duration must include any time for transitions between photos (like dissolves, fades, wipes, etc.). However, there’s more to choosing the right music and implementing it effectively than objective formulas and precise timings. We’re using music to add emotion to our slideshows, so let’s get a little “warm and fuzzy” and “share” some more “touchy feely” ideas about music in slideshows. Cozy? Here goes.

“Dr. Pete, should I use music with or without words?” Excellent question! The answer is: yes. Since people write music and lyrics to express emotion, you’re bound to find a song somewhere with lyrics that, to some degree, match up with the story and emotions you’re trying to convey in your slideshow. Finding a perfect match, however, is rare, if not impossible. A tip: if you’re going to use a song with words, pick one in which you can understand the words. That would be nice.

Songs without lyrics, called instrumentals, can be easier to use in a slideshow. Obviously, there are no words to get in the way of your story. And, an instrumental can be more malleable if you have some editing skills and need to conform the music to time or content constraints.

Classical music, jazz, and motion picture soundtracks are good sources for instrumental music. One note on soundtrack music, however. Movie soundtracks, especially with well-known theme snippets (“Top Gun”, “Romeo and Juliet”, and “Star Wars” come to mind) may carry the “emotional baggage” of the film they were written for. They can seem cliché, and interfere with and distract from the story you’re trying to tell. On the other hand, they can be perfect, especially if you’re shooting for a “tongue-in-cheek” approach for the slideshow, or a segment thereof.

There’s also great instrumental slideshow accompaniment in popular music. You have to look harder to find it in the cookie-cutter, format-driven world of pop music, but it’s there.

So, once I’ve chosen my music, what do I do next? I listen to it. Many times. Even before I start looking at my photos in relation to it. Why? If I’m not really familiar with the music already, I need to be. I need to get a feel for the pacing, and where the emotional hills and valleys are on the music’s landscape. And, with a few glances at my watch as I listen, I can discover the real key to successfully melding image and melody.

Let’s pop back to timing for a moment. Without getting too heavy into music theory, timing is a vital part of music. Most music can be divided into repetitive segments, or phrases, that, with some variations, have distinct and equal durations (there’s that duration word again). Without this phrasing, the music would be frustrating and psychologically unsatisfying. Next time you listen to music, focus on the song’s phrasing, and try to determine the duration (in seconds) of each segment.

By now you’ve probably figured out where I’m going with this. If not, well, here’s where I’m going with this. What happens if I sync the durations of my individual photos with the durations of the phrases in my chosen piece of music? You’re right. I get a psychologically satisfying flow to my slideshow, much more than if I just click the “fit slideshow to music” button. More next time.

© 2005 Peter F. Zimowski