You can find almost any musical composition on the Youtube site, moreover, most of them are uploaded by fans, accompanied by alternating images. Combining music and photos into a video is easy. You will need images, a music file, and a simple video editing software.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: How to Make a Music Video from Scratch
Step 1. Select the song for which you want to make a video
A copy of the song needs to be downloaded to your computer. The desired music file can be purchased or downloaded directly from the Internet.
Step 2. Select the desired type of images
Images are often used such as illustrations, photographs of the performer of the song from rehearsals, recreation and live performances, as well as photographs that fit the meaning of the lyrics. At some points, you can even add lines from a song. There are no inappropriate images, but consider your associations with the music and lyrics of such a song.
- The most popular videos use shots that blend seamlessly with the selected music. Choose the topic or story you want to tell in advance.
- You can use your photos or images from the Internet. It is illegal to profit from someone else's work, so only use approved materials to avoid trouble.
Step 3. Upload all photos to a separate folder
Create a Music Video folder on your desktop and store your favorite photos in it. If everything is in one place, then you will save yourself the complexity. Where to find good photos:
- sites with stock photos;
- your photo collections;
- search for photos online;
- page with biography or photos of musicians.
Step 4. Start the video processing software and import the song
You can use any program of your choice - from Windows MovieMaker and iMovie to Avid and Final Cut, since the videos with music do not require complex actions. Almost every special application can handle them. Even the latest version of PowerPoint in Open Office will work, since the presentation can be saved in movie format. Click and drag the song onto the work bar to select the length of the video.
Step 5. Select and drag all images to the work panel next to the song
This process is slightly different in different programs, but as a result, the images should be located within the timeline of the video. The first photo must coincide with the beginning of the song.
Usually files can be dragged into the program directly from the folder. If it doesn't work, then click "File" → "Import" and find the photo. After importing, select and drag the snapshots onto the movie scale
Step 6. Divide the number of seconds of the song by the number of photos to find out how long each photo will be shown
To find the number of seconds, multiply the number of minutes in the song by 60 and add the remaining seconds. For example, a 2:40 song includes 160 seconds (60x2 = 120, + 40 = 160). Divide this number by the number of photos to calculate the total length of each frame. Therefore, if you select 80 photos for a song lasting 160 seconds, then each photo will be shown in the video for two seconds.
If some photos need to be shown longer, then use such calculations as a hint. Start with an average number of seconds and manually change the values for the required shots
Step 7. Select all pictures and set the duration of the video
Select all images with the mouse or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A (you need to hold them down). Right-click the mouse to select "Set video duration" and set the time in accordance with the previously performed calculations.
- The item may not be titled "Set video duration", but it is very similar. There are options such as "Duration", "Clip duration" or "Movie time".
- Programs like iMovie let you change the default times for all shots in the Options menu. Set the "Image Duration" as you wish.
Step 8. Save the finished video in MP4 or MOV format
When the video is ready, click “Save As” or “Export” and choose MP4 or MOV (Quicktime). Such formats are exactly supported by YouTube and do not take up much space.
Upon export, your project will be converted into a full-fledged video. If there is no MP4 option in the “Save As” window, you will need to export the project
Step 9. Upload the video to Youtube
You will need to create an account. After that, select the "Add" item to upload the clip to the Internet. Choose a suitable icon for your video to make it easier for users to find your video, and include the artist and song name in the title field.
Youtube has strict copyright laws, so your video may be removed if you do not own the rights to the song. In the worst case, you may be blocked if the problem reoccurs
Method 2 of 2: How to Make Youtube Slideshows
Step 1: YouTube slideshows are for work, not fan videos
If you want to use the built-in program on Youtube, then you should know that it is illegal to publish other people's materials (music or photos) for personal gain. Family photo slideshows or personal use videos will be perfectly legal.
When creating a video, you cannot use your own song. The audio track will need to be selected from the YouTube library
Step 2. Click "Slideshow" on the Youtube upload page
Click Download in the corner of the screen and then select Create for Slideshow.
Step 3. Drag and drop photos from your computer
A pop-up window will allow you to select the required number of shots. Add all photos in any order.
You can also automatically download selected albums from Google+
Step 4. Arrange the pictures in the desired order
Just drag and drop photos to arrange the images correctly.
Step 5. Select music
In the "Audio" item, select the desired song. Only songs from the YouTube library are available for selection. It is not possible to upload your song.