iPhoto : Entertaining Backup

Digital photographs have become the most valued files on any home computer yet few people actually take time to back up their images on a regular basis. This tutorial seeks to create not only a valuable back up but also a DVD that will entertain and allow easy cataloging of your photos. This tutorial uses iDVD’s ability to add additional content to DVD disks.

Step 1 (iPhoto)
Step 1 is simple. In iPhoto 06 create a new Album and give it a relevant title. Now drag the images you want to backup from your library into this album.

Step 2 : Create the Data Backup
Now Select all of the images in this album (click on the edit menu and “select all” or A) then select export (File menu and Export). Select File export from the top tab and chose the quality of image you wish to backup, this will probably be full quality. Save these images in to a folder (we will use these later).

Step 3 : Creating the Slideshow

Again selecting all the images in your album (A) click the “slideshow” button at the bottom of the iPhoto window. This will create a slideshow (”title of your album slideshow”) use the slideshow controls to alter transitions and background music.

Step 4 : Send to iDVD
Once you are happy with your slideshow click on the “share” menu and select “Send to iDVD” this may take some time depending on the number of images in your album.

Step 5 : iDVD Menus
Select the style of menu system you desire for the DVD. Remember you can also use your iPhoto library to populate the “drop zones” in the DVD template. You can preview your DVD at any time by clicking the triangular “play button”

Step 6 : Adding the photos
Once you are happy with the DVD menus etc it is time to add the actual image files we created earlier.
In iDVD select the “Advanced” menu and click “Edit DVD-ROM Contents” Click the “add files” button and navigate to the folder you created earlier. iDVD will add these to the DVD. Close this window and simply click the “burn” button to create your DVD. DVD creation can take a long period of time depending on the number of transitions used in the slideshow and menus.

The resultant DVD will play in a stand alone player and the actual images can be accessed when the DVD in put into the computer (both Mac and PC).

You may need to experiment with the number of images you can fit on to a single disk but I think this is a nice way to be able to archive and view your photos at a later date.

Other Tutorials
iPhoto Introduction

iPhoto Top Tips

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Filed Under Software, Tutorials   | Tags: iPhoto