In this new digital high tech computer age slideshows/slide shows/photomontages/photo montages/video albums are becoming very popular. But I have found that when I do a web search I get multiple titles. So what's the difference between a slideshow, slide show, photomontage, photo montage, or video album? After doing some research of my own, dictionary searches and web site reviews, I have come to this ultimate mind numbing conclusion - are you ready? - There is no difference in the name! I know that this may be a cause of disagreement between many, but I dare you to do the same research. Ultimately, I believe that you too will come to the conclusion that whether you call it slideshow, slide show, photomontage, photo montage, or video album they are all one and the same. However, a bit of trivia for you, I have discovered that in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, the only one word or phrase of these five that can be found is "photomontage".

So, if there is no difference in the name is there a difference in the product? The truth is whether you order a slideshow, slide show, photomontage, photo montage, or video album the difference is only with the company. Every slideshow, slide show, photomontage, photo montage, or video album creating company has their own individualized way of creating what I will call a slideshow production. - You can replace the word "slideshow" with "slide show", "photomontage", "photo montage", or "video album". It's really a personal decision. And it is highly possible that as I am writing this article a new word or phrase is being created at this very moment to replace any of the above five words. Such as... moving pictures, pictures in motion, memories in motion (that one kind of makes you dizzy) albums that move, photo movements (there's a phrase that will really move you!) - You try. I give you five minutes to come up with some of your own phrases. Go ahead be creative!

So what's my point here, or do I really have one? I guess the point is this. When you are doing a web search for - are you ready, here we go again - slideshows, slide shows, photomontages, photo montages, or video albums - type in each of these different keywords separately each time you do a web search and you will have more choices because each keyword will bring up a new search and ultimately a new company that you haven't seen before. In addition, try using specific key words. If you are planning a wedding place the word "wedding" or "wedding reception" before any of the above words. Do the same thing with a graduation slideshow, birthday slideshow, anniversary slideshow, reunion slideshow, memorial slideshow, or so on. You can also add words after the keywords listed above such as "production" " or "productions" (yes, adding an 's' makes a difference). And why let Google be your only search engine. Try other search engines such as my favorite MSN. You will get more choices because each search engine has their own way of categorizing web sites.

About the Author

Sandra Clukey, lead slideshow creator for Sands of Time Multimedia Creations http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/ See her article "12 Steps to a Successful Slideshow Production" http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/articles/12Steps.htm View some samples: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/index-1.html and experience the difference!