Creating a photo documentary - combining photographs with audio

In preparation for my final piece of work, I put together a 'mini' photo documentary as part of the Isabelle project I have been working on. This was for my own personal development and not for publishing. This will be burned to disc and added to the sketch book. The piece is 42 seconds long.

Screen shot of Windows Live movie maker

Ensuring the images match with what she is discussing

Whilst putting the slide show together I came across some small hitches, therefore giving me something to consider before the final piece of work is in progress.

Points to think about:

Ensure I have all the right software to create the documentary.

As I am recording on my phone, the audio file saves as an MA4. There are limited and trustworthy sources (as far as I am aware) to convert to an MP3. I currently have a programme that gives me a 21 day trial. This may pose a problem when it comes to converting the files in the future.

Don't talk too much when interviewing people.

Trying to edit my own voice out was time consuming and a little frustrating.

Background noise can sometimes be ok.

For this instance I feel the background noise worked when interviewing Isabelle. For a more serious topic, I feel background noise should be an absolute minimum.

Audio first - photographs second.

I found when arranging the photographs on the computer difficult, as I felt like I wanted to lay them out physically first. Printing and arranging the images before putting together the final piece is something to consider.

Audio

I am using my  iPhone which does have good audio quality, but it only clearly picks up on the persons voice which is nearest to the speaker. On this piece Isabelle’s voice is quiet, although if listening to on headphones, the sound is much louder.


Transcript

''Like make videos like video star and we do, erm, like we play, we do top model and we just     like play on our phones.''
''I have pictures of my dolls on my texting. I would go on to contacts, I press add and I put like your e-mail and stuff in there.''
''Its just an e-mail only if you have an e-mail you can do it.''

Software used; 
dB Power Amp - Edit audio.
Audacity - Edit audio.
Windows Movie Maker - To compose the piece (combine photographs with audio)

Disc of the slide show has been included in the sketch book.