Electronic images are not all the same and different uses require different techniques. Today, we're going to look at preparing images for insertion to a PowerPoint presentation. Before you start you should know the purpose of the presentation as well as how and when the PowerPoint will be presented. Be aware of screen size if you can. The larger the screen the more important this is as images can be distorted or appear too small/large.

1. You have your collection of images for use. The easiest format to work with is jpeg simply because it's the most common. Open your graphics software [if you have it] and look at each image on your computer screen and zoom in. If the image becomes fuzzy and over-pixelated, it's more than likely going to look like that in the presentation. The minimum DPI or dots-per-inch [dots are pixels] you need for web graphics is 72. For a PowerPoint presentation, I suggest using at least 150dpi if possible. You can check all this via the Image Properties or Statistics.

2. If you don't have graphics software installed, insert the images into your presentation and see how they look. Click on View Presentation. If they look okay, fine. If not, you won't be able to use them. If you're planning on doing a lot of presentations this is the opportune time to request a simple graphics software program be installed on your workstation.

3. 300dpi is print quality and more than you need for presentations. When requesting images from other people though, always ask for 300dpi. You can convert downward to suit your needs and memory space, but you can't go upward.

4. If you have a number of images, then to keep the memory size of your presentation manageable
you may need to reduce their size. This is done under Image - Image Size - in your graphics software. Keep the ratio locked so that when you change width, height comes along for the ride. Generally, 580 width, pixels not centimetres or inches, is a good size to go with. Aim at keeping each image under 1mb if possible.

5. If there are any sections of the image you want cropped or adjusted, do this before inserting to PowerPoint.

6. Insert your prepared image into PowerPoint by clicking on Insert - Picture - from file. When it arrives on screen, if it is too large simply reduce it down and the opposite if it comes in too small. If enlarging the image and it becomes fuzzy it will have to stay smaller or be removed. You can easily check how it might appear through viewing the presentation.

7. More than three images per slide starts to look crowded. One image enlarged to take up the whole space can look great! Try to keep each slide similar in format but with slight differences. For instance, one or two large images followed by slides with two or three images each and interspersed with text.

8. "White" space is important on your slides so try and keep the gaps between images equal. Overlapping images is fine as long as there is plenty of white space around them as a whole. This
makes viewing them easier and more interesting.

Avoid overdoing the images. Make sure they are relevant to the presentation and are good images.
That is, good composition as well as good quality. You are trying to impress and interest people not bore them to tears or send them to sleep. A little planning and preparation is all you need to give your presentation the punch it needs!