SLIDESHOWS - how long?

[highway0691]

I'm using Proshow Gold to make slideshows of wedding photos as part of a package to give clients. Obviously not all photos are included as it'd be too long. My question is how long would you consider the ideal duration of a slideshow? Lately I've been using two music tracks - so they go for about 7 minutes. Anything more than this seems a bit too long. I'd be interested in hearing what other photographers are doing.

cheers

damian

[tim1960]

I've made a couple of slideshows for a high school baseball banquet and they range from 10 to 12 minutes. I feel like you, the shorter the better. I try to use the "mini-skirt" rule; long enough to cover the subject but short enough to make it interesting!

[Woolburr]

Lots of studies on adult learners have shown that 5-7 minutes is about the maximum attention span for this type of presentation. Some people could probably watch longer segments...but there will also be folks that get antsy at 3 minutes.

[fredlef]

There is usually so much material. We try to break it down into 3 or 4 short shows of 5 to 10 minutes each. Pre-Wedding, Flower Girl, Ceremony, Reception etc. Doing it this way they get to pick which show they want to watch without having to sit through the whole thing.

[highway0691]

There is usually so much material. We try to break it down into 3 or 4 short shows of 5 to 10 minutes each. Pre-Wedding, Flower Girl, Ceremony, Reception etc. Doing it this way they get to pick which show they want to watch without having to sit through the whole thing.

Very good idea! I must see if Proshow can do this - I'm sure it can.

[amccomis]

I've done slideshows for weddings & bar/bat mitzvahs for geesh, going on about 12 years now. The magical number seems to come in around 12-13minutes. I say "4 short" or "3 longish" songs, and that's about how it works out...

Mine are usually done for the purpose of being presented at the wedding reception...

They usually go first song=him, next song=her, last song=together (or for the 4 short songs, last 2 songs together).



Doing a "of the wedding" show, I don't usually do these.

[-MasterChief-]

i do two. a very small collection that will fit on one song (usually its a song of the B&G choice), arranged very much like a music video and a long one about 10-15 minutes -- a collage of the "best pics".

[fredlef]

Damain - Proshow can certainly do it - as that's what we use - and it will give you a nice icon for each show that you can separately select - or if you include the "Play All" item on the menu screen it will play one after the other when selected.