Picking the Right Number of Pictures and Songs for a Slideshow

Preparation is Key

When preparing for a slideshow video, it is best to first decide the maximum time length you want it to run, especially if it is for a specific event with a captive audience like an anniversary or birthday party. You want to entertain your audience, but if it is too long they may begin to lose interest.

The general rule for events such as anniversaries, birthdays, wedding receptions, etc. is 10-15 minutes. The average number of pictures used per minute is 10-12. Therefore, 100 pictures would produce a 10-12 minute video length. That’s a good rule of thumb in selecting the right number of photos.

Now, how much music do you need? It doesn’t have to be precise because music tracks can be trimmed to fit the number of photos to match a particular song. However, a good rule of thumb is 25-35 pictures per average length song (about 3-4 minutes) It works best to select a sequence of pictures and a song to match in order to break down and manage the project so it all flows together smoothly. Preparation is key to a balanced video and if you use the right strategy it will be a fun venture!