Photofilms

From ilri-comms ilriwikis

ILRI produces photofilms, which are multimedia forms that combine photographs and audio recordings, to tell stories. Photofilms can be used to document project stories that include the voices and pictures of people and experiences in the field. They are useful for showing how research connects with people’s lives. Photofilms range from 2 to 5 minutes in length.


Required tools

  • An audio recorder to record high quality audio files of interviews and other sounds. e.g. Zoom H2 Handy Recorder
  • A DSLR camera to take photographs e.g. Canon 450d
  • Audio editing software e.g. Adobe Audition, Audacity or Soundtrack Pro
  • Compute software to organize and add effects to the final pictures and audio files e.g. iMovie (Mac computers) and Movie Maker (PCs).
  • Photo editing software e.g. Photoshop (not a strict requirement).

Making a photofilm

  • Identify a story to cover.
  • Where possible, set up a team of two to make the photofilm, i.e. in recording interviews and taking pictures.
  • Collect additional sounds and images related to the setting of the interview. e.g traditional music or farm sounds.
  • Using audio editing software, edit audio files to between 2 and 5 minutes and add background music
  • Select pictures that complement and highlight the interview (a photofilm requires at least 25 good quality photos, more pictures if longer)
  • Combine audio file and pictures in iMovie or Movie Maker.
  • Add appropriate titles and credits to the film.
  • Export the final compilation as a high quality video file for uploading to different web platforms.

Required information for finalizing a photofilm

See 'required information' guidelines for Using YouTube or view a playlist of ILRI photofilms.

For more information on using photofilms, contact Paul Karaimu or Apollo Habtamu