Frequently Asked Questions  

Q.  Which photos should I choose to include in my project?

Choose pictures that are candid and show character. 
Choose a mix between close ups and group photos Choose photos that show the most important stages in someone’s life.  
Choose more horizontal shots than vertical shots. The reason for this is that TV screens are wider than they are high, so horizontal shots fill the   screen and look much better. Vertical shots will appear on  the TV screen with black borders on each side (or will need dramatic cropping). There's not a problem with the borders, but too many vertical shots one after the other won't be as pleasing to look at as horizontal ones.
Stay away from photos that are too small or out of focus.
 

Q.  What are special effect transitions?

Special effect transitions are the way the slide show moves from one picture to the next. The song you choose typically dictates which transition effect you'll use. With a slower song, a simple fade in/fade out usually looks the best.

Q.  How many photos do I need to make up a 5, 10 or 20 minute production?

• 50 photos result approximately in a 6 to 8 minute production.
• 100 photos result approximately in a 8 to 12 minute production.
• 150 photos can be 12 to 14 minutes long.
• 500 photos…more than an hour

Q.  What size pictures can I send?

We can work with any size pictures up to 8x10's.

Q.  Can I scan the pictures myself and send them to you?

You sure can!  You may scan them and burn them to a CD and mail it to us.
Contact us for further instructions.
If you are scanning the photos yourself, please keep the following in mind. The higher the resolution, the better your photos will look on the screen, so up to 300 pixels/inch is great. Unfortunately, less than100 pixels/inch will result in a very grainy picture. You need to save the images as JPEGS, please give them an identifying name or number.

Q.  Will you digitally crop my photos?

Typically we will not crop each of the photos unless it makes sense to, for a better viewing experience.

Q.  How should I choose the order for my photos?

We will prepare your project in the exact order that you send the photos to us. You can choose to organize them in two different ways.  
For wedding Slide Shows, most people will show pictures of the groom growing up, pictures of the bride growing up, and then pictures of them together.  
For other pictures you could do:
1. chronologically, for example: baby pictures, childhood pictures, high school, college, dating.   OR
2. By theme i.e.: eating, moving, vacationing, Mother's side of the family, Father's side of the family, cars he has owned, fancy dresses she has worn etc.

Q.  How long will each photo appear on the screen?

Each photo will appear for between 4-6 seconds, 6 seconds is normally the most suitable but this can vary depending on the nature of the photos, the tempo of the music and the special effect transitions we're using.

Q.  How should I choose my start and end photos?

Make these your very best shots, as often they will appear in the screen the longest, or will have titles overlaid on them.

Q.  I'm worried about sending my photos, how do I know you will return my photos in the same condition as you received them?

We can understand why you would be worried, because we know how important your photos are. It's because we know how irreplaceable photos and the memories they evoke are that we treat your photos as if they are our own. To this day, we have never damaged or lost any photo entrusted to us. We guarantee your photos will be returned to you in the same condition as we received them, unless something catastrophic happens that is out of our control.
To put you further at ease, we employ all manner of precautions in our studios to protect your photos (including no liquids or food allowed in the work room). 
Due to the shipping process being totally outside our control, we do need to ask you to sign a waiver on our order form that absolves us of
any responsibility for your materials during the shipping process.

Q. How should I protect my photos while they're in transit?

Package your photos well using hard cardboard on all sides to provide a solid shell for your photos. We also recommend you use a plastic Ziploc bag to contain each section of photographs to protect them from any spillage during the delivery process.

Q. Do I need to watch the DVD on a computer only?

No, the DVD that we create can be watched with a set-top DVD player or a computer equipped with a DVD-ROM drive. All you need to do is to insert the DVD disk into the DVD player and play to watch on the TV.

Q.  Do I have to manually forward the slides?

No, once you press play button on your DVD player, the slides will move through on their own.

Q.  Can my old black and white photographs be transferred to DVD?

We advice transferring your photo’s to DVD to digitally archive them.

Q.  Will you return my photographs and photographs?

Yes, your original source material (music & photos) will be returned to you with your order.

Q.  I have some specific questions that I want answered. How can I go about it?

You can write to us, or call us and we will be glad to answer all your questions.

Q.  How long will it take you to complete my project?

Our typically turn around time is 14 days.

Q.  How do I send in my photos and music?

See your mailing options on the order form.

Q.  Is it safe to send you my photos ?

Yes! We will return your materials, packed safely using every precaution. We treat everything you send us as if it were our own.

Q.  What if I don't organize my materials?

Please try and organize your material before you send them as it will make for the best slide show. Only you know the order you'd like the photos shown. However, if you don't organize them, we'll try our best and generally will put them in chronological order.

Q.  Can’t I create my own DVD Slideshows at home?

Yes. Many people are interested in the art of home based slide shows and digital imaging. Most new computers today come with rudimentary tools that are capable of creating a digital video production of some type. However to produce the quality of production that you will receive from us, you would need to invest a lot of time and expense that you may not wish to undertake.

Q.  What if my DVD doesn't play?

On average 98% of all players will play back our DVD’s. You can check to see if your DVD player will support DVD-R at  www.vcdhelp.com   If your DVD does not play we will do everything we can to give you a solution that will work.

Q.  Will you keep a copy of my DVD?

We will keep the master of your DVD Show on file for 1 year, for purposes of reordering unless you specify that we don’t.

Q.  What about Photo Retouching?

We will do some minor photo retouching of digital images to enhance the DVD Photographs experience. This will include color correction, cropping, straightening, red-eye correction and enhancing the detail and lighting when needed. This will be done as part of the service to insure that your DVD Slideshow is a truly moving experience.

Q.  Can I pick my own music?

You can pick your own music for inclusion on the DVD. To include copyrighted music you must own the original recording to be used in your production. Use of the track will be covered under your fair use rights of ownership.

Q.  Can I order additional copies of my video?

Yes. At the time of purchase you can order additional copies of the DVD We will also keep products on file for 1 year, which you may order at any time during that period.
The cost for additional DVD's is just $12 each   (The cost of your first DVD is part of the package price)  

Read  "Planning Guide"  on how to create your project.

Call if you need help!: 310-547-4300

back

All content © Sebastian Galleries & Art Studio  2000-2009. All rights reserved.