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1. Don’t overuse them #

Readers will easily start ignoring your audio slideshows if they’re continuously overused and the content is mediocre. Figure out which stories are best suited for a slideshow (i.e. a city council meeting may not be the most appropriate time). Sometimes a slideshow or video is better. Your audio slideshows will have more meaning if they’re used sparingly and effectively. #

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2. Send out the real photographers #

It’s great to have the emphasis on “the backpack journalist” who can do it all, especially for breaking news. But, if you can get your hands on a staff photographer, do it; an inexperienced reporter using a point and shoot won’t always do the trick. If you send out a real photographer, the reporter can focus on getting good audio without having to figure out how to use the camera. #

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A word of caution: make sure the photographer and reporter actually work together.   Send them out as a team and let them discuss the focus of the slideshow, goals for photos and audio and even let them edit it together. It’ll make the entire production more cohesive. #

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3. Use text slides #

If the audio doesn’t tell the full story, use text slides as transitions between sources, topics, locations, etc. A simple, powerful look is a black slide with plain white text over it, which you can make in Photoshop. Don’t get too fancy; keep words to a minimum so readers aren’t forced out of the slow pace in which they’ve been watching your slideshow. If you have a lot of text, break it up over multiple slides. #

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4. Make good use of ambient/environmental noise #

It’s easy to forget about ambient noise and it’s hard (if not impossible) to go back to the scene to capture good ambient noise. What am I talking about? Cheering crowds, a clanking hammer, dripping water. Anything that adds to the feel of the environment and captures what your photos and interviews cannot. #

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5. Humanize your subject #

The best audio slideshows introduce your viewers to a new person, just like a good feature story. Even if you’re covering an event, make the speaker a human among the crowd or show how the audience is made up of many individuals instead of being one big group. #

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It seems abstract, but you can do it with photos that capture emotions and audio that goes beyond the standard, “Today’s event was really successful, we had a huge turnout,” quote. If you go into the project with a goal of humanizing your subjects, it’ll be easier to look for those stories that really stand out. #

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If you’ve never made an audio slideshow, it’s a piece of cake. The quickest way to do it is using Soundslides, which you can download and purchase online. Multimedia Shooter has a video tutorial that covers all the basic functions of Soundslides Plus. For good examples, see the National Press Photographers Association’s winning audio slideshows.  #

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Have good tips? Share them in the comments. #

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