Cell Phone Slideshow

By Greg Bumatay

Here's a really easy way to put up a mini slideshow on your cell phone. It's pretty cool to do at weddings so people can see images from earlier that same day. I've been successful at creating a buzz during receptions with this technique. Even better, enthusiastic guests can share the slideshows by sending them to other cell phones via Bluetooth.

Requirements: Laptop and cell phone with Bluetooth capability. If you're using a Mac, you will need QuickTime Pro.

Creating the slideshow:

1. Create a slideshow in iPhoto featuring some of your best images; 8-12 pictures work great.
2. I suggest you include your logo and website info as the last image.
3. From the iPhoto menu, go to Share > Export; this will give you a QuickTime movie file (.mov).
4. Open the .mov file; it should open automatically in QuickTime Pro. Export this file as .3GP.

Uploading to Cell Phone:

1. On your Mac, open your Bluetooth preferences and select Send File.
2. Select the .3GP file that you just exported from QuickTime and click Send.
3. Make sure your Bluetooth is activated on your cell phone and set to Discoverable.
4. On your Mac, click on the Search button to find your cell phone and click Send.
5. If it requires a passkey, type 123 on both the laptop and cell phone.

Transferring from cell phone to cell phone:

1. Make sure both phones have Bluetooth enabled and searchable.
2. If it requires a passkey, type 123 on both phones.
3. Select the 3GP file to transfer on the source phone and send via Bluetooth.
4. Accept the file on the destination phone.

For PC laptop users:

1. Create your normal slideshow with whatever program you're using. You will want to create a short version with only about 8-12 pics, including your logo.
2. Convert that slideshow to MPG.
3. Download Plato Video Joiner to convert the MPG file.
4. Select output type: Cell Phone 3GP file (3GP + AMR).
5. Select output directory.
6. Select the source MPG file to convert.
7. Transfer to cell phone as detailed above.

Now the crucial thing to do if you want to create a buzz is finding that enthusiastic groomsman or bridesmaid. Upload to their Bluetooth cell phone, show them how it's done, and let them spread it around for you!

A Note on Compatible Phones

3GP is a multimedia file format designed to allow video playback on newer mobile phones. The most difficult part of this mini-slideshow trick is finding people with phones who will play 3GP videos. For example, I have experienced some trouble with the Blackberry Pearl phones. The phone in the image above is a Motorola RAZR.

With phones becoming more sophisticated every day, it's only a matter of time before most of them will be able to play slideshows. The new Apple iPhone, for example, has extensive multimedia support and can play back a number of audio and video formats.

[Editor's note: Greg is reportedly working on an updated method to take advantage of the iPhone's new features; stay tuned for more.].

Photos © Greg Bumatay

Greg Bumatay is a photographer based in La Mirada, CA. Greg specializes in weddings, though he also shoots corporate events and portraits including engagements, children and families. Together with his wife, Lilly Ann, he runs Bumatay Studio. Visit www.bumataystudio.com.

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