Audio slideshows

Why should photojournalists gather audio?

• Combining photos and audio tells a more complete story
• Audio enhances the photos; photos enhance the audio
• Enables us to get to know our subjects better
• Makes photographers better journalists
• Encourages project-oriented stories

Keys to Successful Multimedia

• Plan the audio. Know the options: Ambient sound, interview, narration, or combo
• What is the best way to capture audio? Which type of mic?
• Focus the story around one subject, keep the approach simple
• Generally, it takes 12-15 photos for a simple audio slideshow
• Pay attention to ambient sounds
• Headphones are a big help when recording and editing
• Location! Location! Location!
• Avoid ambient background sound during interviews
• Ask open ended questions
• Don’t step on subject’s words and thoughts. No uhhh huuhhhh’s
• Have subjects introduce themselves
• Record interviews in short clips rather than one long 30 minute interview
• Purchase the right gear
• If the caption can’t be read in 5 seconds, it’s too long
• The goal in gathering audio is to capture clips to assemble into a package

The Ethics of Audio

• Can we loop sound? No.
• Can we ask our subjects to repeat something on mic? Yes.
• Can we mix sounds from different events for editorial impact? No.
• Can we edit sound bytes containing words such as “ummmm.” Yes.

Lawrence Journal-World Multimedia

• Immigration
• Rattlesnake Roundup
• Auctioneer
• Organic Egg Farm
• Prison Rapper

Multimedia Software

• Flash: Complex, expensive, slow learning curve. PC and Mac platforms.
• Soundslides: Simple, cheap, intuitive audio slideshow program.
• Audacity: Free audio editing program. PC and Mac platforms.
• Garage Band: Part of iLife Suite on new Mac computers. Mac only.

Multimedia Audio Equipment

• Voice recorders: Inexpensive, good for interviews, bad for natural sound.
• Stereo MP3 recorders: Expensive, clear and crisp sound, easy to download.
• Minidisc recorders: Expensive, clear crisp sound, long download times. www.sony.com
• Mics: Key to capturing clean audio.

Multimedia Links

www.mediastorm.org
www.joeweiss.com
www.magnuminmotion.com
www.nytimes.com