Help with Speech Presentation. [=O=]

[Heatseeker99]

Hey all.

I have a speech presentation Monday in my college speech class. It is an informative speech, and is to last only 5-7 minutes. As per their recommendation of picking a topic you have a passion for, I choose Photography. But to make it interesting to the class and to get them somewhat involved, I have choosen the subtopic "How you can improve your photos."

I am looking for any tips, techniques, caveats, and suggestions I could give them that they can use next time they take some pics. Remember, these are not photography students and are likey using P&S camera so technical advice is not going to be effective.

Right now I have:
Lighting. Use window light or go outside. Side lighting. Dusk & Dawn. Reduce the use of flash, increase distance if you do use one then zoom.

Technique. Foreground, background elements. Eliminate distractions. Rule of thirds. Tighter portraits, included props to give meaning of the occasion. Use portrait orientation! and take lots of pics to increase keeper rates.

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

[drparker]

Hey all.

I have a speech presentation Monday in my college speech class. It is an informative speech, and is to last only 5-7 minutes. As per their recommendation of picking a topic you have a passion for, I choose Photography. But to make it interesting to the class and to get them somewhat involved, I have choosen the subtopic "How you can improve your photos."

I am looking for any tips, techniques, caveats, and suggestions I could give them that they can use next time they take some pics. Remember, these are not photography students and are likey using P&S camera so technical advice is not going to be effective.

Right now I have:
Lighting. Use window light or go outside. Side lighting. Dusk & Dawn. Reduce the use of flash, increase distance if you do use one then zoom.

Technique. Foreground, background elements. Eliminate distractions. Rule of thirds. Tighter portraits, included props to give meaning of the occasion. Use portrait orientation! and take lots of pics to increase keeper rates.

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!



I think you have plenty there for 5-7 minutes. If you’re using a slide deck remember that it takes 1.5 to 2 minutes minimum per slide during PowerPoint. Most new speakers talk to fast and don't pause. Relax, show passion and during public speaking never apologize when things don't go perfectly.

Drew

[TLovern]

I'd add the following:

try different perspectives and angles in shots.
Look for settings that define relationships (two siblings interacting, a boy and a pet, etc.)
occasionally ignore the rule of thirds
depth of field and distortions from various focal lengths (i.e. nearer parts look larger than farther away parts of a person)

my #1 suggestion is to have fun with the pictures!

Tim

[RossW]

...remember that it takes 1.5 to 2 minutes minimum per slide during PowerPoint. Drew

PowerPoint!!!??? Oh, dear gods of rhetoric, please don't tell me college speech classes now use PowerPoint! (Although I admit it would be easier to show things of a photographic nature with some... well, pictures.):p

Here's a presentation tip from the dark ages of grad school, when I taught malleable young minds how to give an informative speech. Formulate your key point(s) by filling in the blank: "I want my audience to understand (or know, or agree, etc.) THAT ______________________________." It seems trivial, but putting "that" into such a sentence focuses your message, and avoids fuzziness in thoughts. Ex. -- I want my audience to understand that there are three principles to taking a good photo: a, b, and c. You don't necessarily have to say it to the class, but working it into the introduction certainly sets the stage. It's tell 'em what you're going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them. No PowerPoint required... it's become the biggest impediment to clear presentations in the business world ever invented.

</soapbox>

[drparker]

My 6th and 7th graders have had to do PowerPoint presentations to their classes.

[Heatseeker99]

PowerPoint!!!??? Oh, dear gods of rhetoric, please don't tell me college speech classes now use PowerPoint! (Although I admit it would be easier to show things of a photographic nature with some... well, pictures.):p

Here's a presentation tip from the dark ages of grad school, when I taught malleable young minds how to give an informative speech. Formulate your key point(s) by filling in the blank: "I want my audience to understand (or know, or agree, etc.) THAT ______________________________." It seems trivial, but putting "that" into such a sentence focuses your message, and avoids fuzziness in thoughts. Ex. -- I want my audience to understand that there are three principles to taking a good photo: a, b, and c. You don't necessarily have to say it to the class, but working it into the introduction certainly sets the stage. It's tell 'em what you're going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them. No PowerPoint required... it's become the biggest impediment to clear presentations in the business world ever invented.

</soapbox>


Thanks for your input in the actual delivery of the speech. :D My professor agrees that Powerpoint is the worst thing that happened to lecture and speech applications. However, as you said, it seems the easiest way to create a slideshow of example pics where I can easily move to the next by tapping space bar. The alternative is using a digital overhead, which I fear will create glare on the gloss of prints so..

Thanks to everyone for the comments, keep them coming.

[drparker]

Powerpoint is the worst thing that happened to lecture and speech applications It's not the tool that's the problem. It's the user and how they match slide content to their presentation. Unfortunately most PowerPoint users believe they are presenting the material on the slides, when really the slides should just be visual clues to your main points. Some people are auditory learners, some are visual and the slide can be used to help the visual learner remember your key points.

It seems that no one is taught how to properly present using this tool. During a great presentation you hardly notice that slides were used because your brain is engaged with what the speaker is saying. During a bad presentation you’re staring at slides hoping they end soon and you have no idea what the speaker said because your mind is wondering.

There's good money in being a good presenter.:lol: