Lightroom 3 enhanced its slideshow module in some big ways.
The beauty and power of the new features in the slideshow module allow users to quickly apply a template, some of which are already included with Lightroom. This provides a very good starting point but then you can customize the slideshow in a number of ways to display your photos exactly the way you want to display them. Customizability and flexibility make the slideshow module not only helpful but extremely useful, too!
With this in mind, I created some custom slideshow templates that I use often.
The first one creates a simple black background, enlarges the photograph to most of the screen, and places a nameplate or the name of your business on the bottom. I prefer the black background because I believe it allows the photograph to be highlighted without distraction. I believe this so strongly that even my website has an all black background. This first slideshow template is pretty simple and basic but sometimes that is exactly what a portfolio needs. This template is great for wedding receptions, showing proofs to clients, and displaying a slideshow online.
The next two templates are very similar. I use one or the other when I show photos in a teaching situation where I want to display the metadata for each photograph.
The first of these two templates shows the date, camera, ISO, exposure, and the focal length of the lens. This data is displayed on the right side of the photograph. The nameplate or name of your business is displayed on the lower left.
The second of these templates simply adds the title of the photograph underneath it. The metadata is still displayed on the right and the nameplate is moved to the lower right. You need to add a title to each photo you want to use in the slideshow. This is accomplished in the library module under the metadata section on the right panel. If you don’t add the title then <empty> will be displayed where the title should be showing.
These slideshow templates are just a starting point. You can download them and use them as they appear or you can enhance them even more to include exactly what you prefer to display in your slideshows.
You can download the templates here.
Give it a try and see just how powerful the slideshow module is in Lightroom.
Create! Show! Enjoy!
