AV News 189 - August 2012
If you really want to have some 'movement' (rather than animation) then use soft
edge wipes. These can give the appearance of movement without the image
actually moving. In PTE go to 'Customise Slide' and set the Transition to 'Page
Effect' or similar. At the bottom of the 'effects' tab you will see a box labeled 'Own
Thickness of Smoothing Line'. The default setting is 35%, change this to a higher
number (it goes up to 200%) and you will see the difference. You will most likely
need to increase the length of the transition to get the best effect.
This brings me to timing. In both Photo Harmony and AV the sound track has
just as much importance as the images. It is not simply 'wallpaper'. Choose music
that is sympathetic to the images. Don't use fast paced music to gentle
landscapes, or slow music for racing cars, for instance. Your images need to flow
with the music, changing when the music changes, following the ebbs and flow
of the rhythm. I have seen so many sequences where the flow of the music is
ignored and every image is on screen for the same amount of time. This leads to
the viewer becoming bored, no matter how good the images, as there is no pace
to the sequence.
The default in PTE is a 2sec transition with a total of 5secs screen time. This
is just a starting point. Try giving your images longer transition times and in an
'AV' shorter screen times. Yes, in Photo Harmony the emphasis is on looking at
the individual images, so they need longer on screen. But it is also about making
them flow with the music - that is the 'Harmony' bit. Vary the pace with the music
and your sequence will come alive.
My final point, although this should really be the starting point for any
sequence, is to consider who you are making the sequence for. If just to show to
family and friends then include images and sounds that will appeal to them. You
know what they like, so entertain them. If you make your sequences to show to
camera clubs or other groups, then keep it more general as your audience will be
wider ranging with different likes and dislikes. Although it is said that the more
personal a sequence is the more appealing it will be. But this applies to the story
line and emotion in a sequence, not the individual images. Obviously if making
for competition then it becomes harder, as your sequence will be scrutanised in
detail, rather than just enjoyed.
But above all make your sequences to please yourself. Make them to the best
of your ability and minimise all distracting elements. It is after all a hobby and to
be enjoyed in all its aspects, if others enjoy them as well, then that is a welcome
bonus.
Mid-Thames AV Group
Peter Harms
With nearly 90 people seated and the usual bright weather, albeit slightly
chilly, the annual Mid-Thames AV Day at Wokingham was its usual success.
The morning was taken up with 18 attendee's sequences ranging from very
picturesque places of scenic interest to some humour and other excellent
presentations. These were well received and guest speaker Howard
Bagshaw ARPS MPAGB offered praise and constructive criticism as
appropriate to help the authors.
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