You’re a still shooter, looking for new ways to show the work. You can always put them in a PowerPoint presentation (oops, I think I threw up a little in my mouth at that thought). iMovie or Studio 14 provide many different ways to present still images. The most notable technique is called the “Ken Burns” effect. Using either of these programs you could combine the stills with music and create a rather compelling presentation. Add video and you’ve kicked it up a notch.
There’s a service I recommend looking at. Animoto is a web based interface that takes stills, video, text and music, adds transitions and effects producing a video presentation in a very unique and compelling visual presentation. Take a look at the video that Don Johnston just did from his Mercedes shoot.
Animoto has several advantages. It supports a variety of formats. Utilizing a web based service relieves you of having enough processing power in your computer to accomplish these tricks in a reasonable amount of time. Because you push the “magic button” you can let the software worry about all the timing issues etc. A business account removes any of the Animoto branding. Finally, they also support HD and offer an option to burn the completed video to DVD.
This could be a great added value differentiator or additional income stream. For example, if you’re a portrait or wedding photographer combining selects and casual outtakes tells the story of the entire photo shoot as an event. By capturing candids as well, adding music and transitions putting it on an HD DVD and you have vastly exceeded your client’s expectations.
Exceeding expectations, now that’s something everybody likes.
Mike Morawski
Chief Instigation Officer
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