How To Effectively Use Images In Your Next Talk by

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Slide Notes

The use of images can greatly enhance your talk, but it's not as easy as just putting up a picture instead of words.

Images have their own syntax. They require a clarity of message, and an understanding of perspective and placement. In a presentation, how an image will relate to the text on the slide is also important.

Here are my tips for using images well in your next talk.

Enjoy.

How To Effectively Use Images In Your Next Talk

Published on Aug 04, 2016

Images can enhance your talk, but it's not as easy as just putting up a picture instead of words. Like a good wordsmith, effective use of images requires thought, a clarity of message, and an understanding of how the image will relate to the text on the slide. Here are my tips for using images well in your next talk.

Enjoy.

View Outline

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Presentation

How to use images in your

Photo by Thomas Tolkien

IMAGES

Can

Photo by tpeñalver - www.tomaspenalver.es

Visual Metaphor

Ignite thinking with a

Photo by djwtwo

EMOTION

Convey

Photo by Robby Ryke

ACTION

Inspire

Photo by kriddick1908

LAUGHTER

Spark

Photo by Tiago A. Pereira

THAT CAN RUIN A PRESENTATION

But it's not just bulletpoints

Photo by matthileo

Visuals can be distracting too

When presenting important information with slides, it's all about the signal to noise ratio: loud or busy images with no connection to the idea being conveyed is just noise.

Photo by neofob

Impact

While some slides need

If the image on a slide is meant to convey an idea itself a bold image that conveys the idea can be front and center.

Photo by Thomas_Cat

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Simplicity

Others need

Not all ideas need to be represented by an image. Some core concepts benefit from a simple clean background without an image causing distraction.

Text only slides give your audience a break, and when used at the right moment, slides like this can have a visual impact all their own.

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For Big Ideas

Photo by AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

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Reduce the visual noise

Humans can only visually focus on one thing at time. It's tempting to present a big idea with a big loud background slide. In fact the opposite can be much more effective.

Photo by VinothChandar

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NEGATIVE SPACE

By choosing images with

If you do use an image to support a slide with important text, consider one with plenty of negative space like this one to keep distractions to a minimum.

The image can even be placed to draw your eye to the text as in this case rather than pull your focus away.

Photo by daspader

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SOFT FOCUS

Or with

Images do not always have to have meaning, but can suggest a mood or support the text in an abstract way. Soft focus or blurred images force the eye back to the text rather than draw it away.

Photo by B Tal

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When Framing Your Image

Framing is an important skill when using images. How you place the image on the slide can dramatically change the impact or meaning of the image.

Compare this series of sunflower slides...

Photo by dave.see

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Think Big

Images like landscapes where the points of focus are far away (as in the last slide) have less impact. Consider reducing the visual noise increasing the impact of your image by tightening the focus.

Photo by Andreas Helke

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Remember

And

Photo by a4gpa

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Placement Matters

Studies of human responses to images have shown that having a slide off center with the focus to one side is more appealing to the human eye.

Photo by vale ♡

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Rule of Thirds

Use the rule of thirds:

Divide up your image using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines, then position the important elements in your image along those lines, or at the points where they meet.

Photo by colemama

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Matters

Where you place the text also

Where you place the text matters. Text can enhance the meaning of the image or obscure it...

Photo by ericmay

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Perspective

Keep text & image in

Make sure the relationship between the text and the image support the idea being conveyed.

Photo by ericmay

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Keys to Success

Avoid being too literal

Images chosen by pulling out a key word from the slide to hang a visual image on can leave your message flat by making it all one note.

Photo by nicholaspollock

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The Message

Instead choose images that add something to

Instead focus on the message. What idea do you want people to take away from the slide.

The human mind delights in variety and flavor. Don't miss an opportunity to take your message to a higher level by forgetting about trying to match the image to the text.

Photo by cjmartin

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