Photo Montages

This is something I've been kicking around for a while. I think it would be a great add on to my shows.

I have some questions though:

What's involved besides a projector and a screen?

How long does it take to make one?

What software do you use?

How much (ballpark) do you get for something like this?

Jay, I charge $400-$500. Client gives me about 50 digital or physical photos that I scan.

I create the show in Sony Vegas although Windows Movie Maker will work if you really want to. 50 pics will get you about 2 songs to add to the show.

After the gig I have the client give me about 10-20 more pics from the event. I add them to the end of the show and the burn 2 DVD copies for them.

It used to take a long time if I had to scan the pics but I just got a new printer/copier/scanner would should speed up the process. It takes a few hours from start to finish.

WOW!!! Ya'll charge way much more than down here... Here its like $150 then $2 each additional picture... at my job.

We use Video Toaster by Newtek (or Speed Edit) It allows us to quickly throw it together in a matter of hours and then throw it onto a DVD the whole process from scanning -> Editing -> DVD Duplication takes about 3-4 hours for us. However duplication obviously can allow us to switch tasks to be productive.

All that is also needed is your dj setup :)

WOW!!! Ya'll charge way much more than down here... Here its like $150 then $2 each additional picture... at my job.

We use Video Toaster by Newtek (or Speed Edit) It allows us to quickly throw it together in a matter of hours and then throw it onto a DVD the whole process from scanning -> Editing -> DVD Duplication takes about 3-4 hours for us. However duplication obviously can allow us to switch tasks to be productive.

All that is also needed is your dj setup :)


It's not just the creation, it's also the setup of screen and projector at the gig.

I have looked into the photo montage for quite some time. My brother had one at his wedding in Ohio the company he used did not set up the projector or screen my brother took care of that himself. With only purchasing the montage he paid $450.00. I have to tell you though there was not a dry eye in the house.

I have not yet purchased the screen or projector I just have been looking because I really don't know that much about them. I am so glad that this forum has been started and thank you Basic for all the great information.

I purchased the Ulead program dvd movie factory easy to work with, however I don't think it is compatible to upload to a website. I contacted the company that made it and they told me I would not be able to do that with it.

Chris:

I've kind of added the Montage to my basic offering for weddings and here's why:

1. I get the client to do the upfront work. They scan all of the pictures because I don't want to take a chance on losing or damaging their photos. They give me up to 50 Jpegs on CD or memory bug. The pictures must be named in the order that they want them.

2. I use Sony Vegas and VASST Ulitimate S. I simply load all of the pictures into Vegas and then the music track(s) they want. I then let Ultimate S do its thing; it adds the transitions. Next I render to an appropriate file type and ba-da-bing, I'm done.

The total time it takes me is about 30 minutes.

I do give the B&G a DVD with a litescribe label. I do charge $20 for each additional DVD.

I wanted to use the montage as an add on. I had a client book me a couple days ago for a wedding in March. Locally a rental company charges $250.00 for just the screen and projector. She told me about what other companies were doing as far as including it in their packages the price increases around $250.00 to $300.00.

I am trying to put this into perspective as far as how much I would need to charge before my initial investment is paid and what people are willing to pay for the service.

OK, here's what I have:

http://www.epson.com/cmc_upload/0/000/074/003/PLS4_216x144.jpg

This is the Epson PowerLite S4 Multimedia Projector. It is an 1800 Lumen projector and can be purchased here (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63058359).

This will do for most applications.

http://www.thescreenworks.com/products/assets/ezfoldscreens.jpg

This is the ScreenWorks (http://www.thescreenworks.com/products.htm) E-Z Fold screen. I have the 4.5' by 6' screen. I bought the rear projection and front projection surfaces.

I also use Sony Vegas (http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/vegasfamily.asp) to produce the montage and Ultimate S (http://vasst.com/product.aspx?id=c8cec3c4-7ec3-43db-8d32-f703f5050400) from VASST to add in the transitions.

So, I have about $2,300 invested in the capability to do montages.

But, as indicated, they are part of my basic package.

Thank you Tom! You are all that and a bag of chips :sqbiggrin: !

I read a lot of good things about the Proshow software as well...very easy to use....
I purchased a used Toshiba unit and will pick up a tripos screen. For now it will be front projection.
If I start to sell a number of these, I will look at rear projection....

Chris:

I've kind of added the Montage to my basic offering for weddings and here's why:

1. I get the client to do the upfront work. They scan all of the pictures because I don't want to take a chance on losing or damaging their photos. They give me up to 50 Jpegs on CD or memory bug. The pictures must be named in the order that they want them.

2. I use Sony Vegas and VASST Ulitimate S. I simply load all of the pictures into Vegas and then the music track(s) they want. I then let Ultimate S do its thing; it adds the transitions. Next I render to an appropriate file type and ba-da-bing, I'm done.

The total time it takes me is about 30 minutes.

I do give the B&G a DVD with a litescribe label. I do charge $20 for each additional DVD.

Which version of Vegas do you use?

I beleive mine in 6.0 Steve.

I've been doing it for a couple of years now. I think what attracts more my clients into paying for me to do the slideshow instead of them creating their own is the creative part, Just like Hanks montages:sqbiggrin: .

I have different packages available and I own 2 projectors and 2 screens.

I use Pinnacle Studio 10 and offer DVD creation only. I do a lot for school sports and graduation. I find it to be a hard sell otherwise as most people have some sort of software like imovie/windows movie maker already built in or bundled with their new camera. Also most every venue has their own power screens and projectors available for access.

It can take 4-5 hours to create a DVD and longer to render it.

I've been doing it for a couple of years now. I think what attracts more my clients into paying for me to do the slideshow instead of them creating their own is the creative part, Just like Hanks montages:sqbiggrin: .

I have different packages available and I own 2 projectors and 2 screens.

Exactly. That's the edge. The gag shows sell best for me. One groom was a big golf fan and I did an entire "mockumentary" following him through the PGA with all the pros.

I use Roxio Easy Media Creator 8.
I charge $150.00 - $200.00 for the montage
and $395 for the projector and screen.
I'm new at Montage creation so the first couple took me about 10 hours a piece. I think I'll be getting a faster scanner...that's what takes the most time.

I'm pretty new to the montage add-on but here is what I do. I've gone primarily to "one price, unlimited services packaging". For $750, the B/G gets me for as long as they need me that day, light show and video projection included. I have front and rear projection screens and a 2500 lumen Dell projector. I do charge an extra $200 to actually produce the slide shows and just use Moviemaker to get it done. I bought a cheap printer/scanner. The process takes me about 2-3 hours to scan pics and another hour to render the video.

I also use the projection system for music video's shows for school dances and parties.

I do find it hard sometimes to find good places for the screens that look decent at receptions. Do you all keep the screens up all night? I tend to throw them up...project...and tear down right away.

Typically we use a 5000 lumens projector, works better in typical higher light applications.

but also we are using a 10.5*14 da-lite fast fold deluxe screen. Some times dual.

I use several programs: adobe premier elements for my love story/photo montage segment. The windows CD slide show creator works very well and has a great effect for a free program. It and several other cool toys (image resizer) can be downloaded from this page (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) I use a couple of others as well based on my mood at the time. We also do power point presentations with pics from the wedding and from the recption, this presentation is created as the evening progresses and is constantly changing.

We charge 300.00 if we get digital copies of the pics and 400.00 if we have to scan them. We do not use a projector at all, but a 42" plasma TV mounted on our truss system.

You can see a pic at www.hhidj.com, it is too large to insert here and I can't attach a smaller one.

Jamie

You can see a pic at www.hhidj.com, it is too large to insert here and I can't attach a smaller one.

Jamie

Here ya go...

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/IMG_4694.jpg


BTW, nice setup!!!

Thanks

No problem. I see that I'm not the only one that photographers like to leave their stuff behind (flash on the right).

;)

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/ProductCategory.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=-14288

I thought this was prety cool. I want one just to have an outdoor theatre at my house.

Karl