What is an Audio Visual?

©Graham Phillips

Audio Visuals are often called ‘AVs’

An AV is the use of images and a soundtrack to create an interesting way of using photos and images that is so much more than a slideshow

AV’s can be about a place, a person, an event, a trip or an issue. They can be serious, humorous, informative, challenging or inspiring.

Do I need special software? Yes, there are special software programs such as PTE AV Studio 11 or you can use programs you may have, such as PowerPoint

An AV can utilise many images that otherwise might just remain in computer files

An AV can be transferred to people anywhere quite easily, enabling you to share an experience with friends or family

An AV can be any length, but a competition AV is usually 3 to 7 minutes in length (maximum 12 minutes), using around 30 to 70 images.

Why create an AV?

Many of us have an overwhelming number of photographs, but what can we actually do with them?

Photos can be used in albums, photobooks and slideshows. They can be hung on the wall, entered into competitions, put on social media or a website.

But what about creating a story?

When linked into a sequence with added music and commentary, our photos will tell a story.

The key elements of a story told by an AV are the combination of images, transitions, animations, music and narrative.

©Graham Phillips

What to consider when creating an AV

Images

  • The most common image size to use is the 16:9 (1920:1080) jpeg format.

  • The quality of the images does not have to be of competition standard.

  • It is better to use images in landscape format rather than portrait format.

  • While AV competitions have rules about the use of videos and third party images including those generated by AI, all of them can be used to a limited degree in an AV.

Music

Narrative

AVs can be created using a logical sequence of images (storytelling) and music.

Adding a narrative will require writing a script. The narrative can be delivered in text form or spoken word.

The speaking part can be performed by either the author of the AV, a third party or an AI generated voice.

AV Competitions accessible in Australia

Competitions are held by:

  • The Australian Photographic Society of Australia (APS)

  • The South Australian Photographic Federation (SAPF)

  • The AV Club of South Australia

  • Multiple international competitions

Related Material

Making an AV 2026 by Suzie Kirby

Judge’s Tips by Richard Venus

When creating AVs for public use and display, much consideration needs to be given to the copyright of the music. Breaches of copyright attract heavy fines, but royalty free music an be downloaded from websites and channels such as :

Sound effects can also be included in an AV and could be sourced from websites such as Sounddogs.com

AVs published on YouTube or entered into competitions need to acknowledge the author of the music and the performers irrespective of copyright status.