Choose photos
Select one or more image files from your computer. This is ideal when you want full control over the exact pictures included in the final slideshow.
Complete user guide
How to create a slideshow video
Use this guide to import photos, choose the best settings, understand every transition style, apply Ken Burns motion and create a polished video slideshow.
Quick start
Create a first video in a few simple steps, then fine-tune the details using the advanced options below.
Install Slideshow Maker
Open the Chrome Web Store page and add the extension to your browser. The app opens in a dedicated window, so it feels closer to a small desktop-style slideshow tool.
Import your photos
Choose individual photos, select multiple image files, load a folder or drag and drop images into the Slideshow Maker window.
Choose the slideshow style
Set photo duration, transition duration, video format, cover title, background style and whether images should fit inside the frame or fill the entire frame.
Add motion and transitions
Select transition effects and Ken Burns photo motion to make the final video more dynamic and less static.
Preview music
Listen to the available background music tracks with the preview button, then choose the one that best matches the mood of your slideshow.
Create and save the video
Start video creation and save the exported slideshow file when processing is complete.
Import and photo selection options
Slideshow Maker is designed to work with local photos stored on your computer.
Choose folder
Load a folder of images when you already have a complete album prepared. This is useful for trips, events, product galleries or family photo collections.
Drag and drop
Drop images directly into the app window for a faster workflow. It is a convenient way to build a slideshow while browsing local files.
Max Photos
The Max Photos setting limits how many imported images are used. It can help keep the video shorter and reduce memory usage when working with very large folders.
Video timing and layout settings
These settings control the pace, shape and quality of the exported slideshow.
Photo Duration
Controls how long each photo stays visible before the transition starts. Short values such as 3 or 4 seconds create a faster video, while longer values work better for detailed photos, memories or presentations.
Transition Duration
Controls how long the change from one photo to the next lasts. A 0.5 second transition feels quick, 1 second is balanced, and 1.5 or 2 seconds creates a softer cinematic pace.
Quality / Bitrate
Higher bitrate can improve video quality, especially with detailed photos and motion effects. Lower bitrate creates smaller files. Medium is a good general choice, while High or Ultra is better for important final exports.
Fill Frame
When enabled, photos fill the video frame completely. This avoids borders but may crop the edges of some images. When disabled, the full photo is preserved inside the frame.
Transition effects explained
Transitions define how one photo changes into the next. Random mode chooses different effects automatically for a more varied result.
Fade
A clean crossfade between two photos. This is the safest and most elegant transition for family albums, travel videos and professional presentations.
Dissolve
A soft fade-style transition. Use it when you want a simple, unobtrusive passage between photos.
Fade + Zoom
Combines a crossfade with a subtle zoom movement. This creates a more polished and cinematic transition without becoming too aggressive.
Slide Left / Right / Up / Down
Moves the current photo out of the frame while the next one enters from the opposite direction. Good for energetic videos and modern social clips.
Zoom
The current image zooms away while the next image enters with a zoom movement. It adds energy and works well when photos have strong central subjects.
Cross Zoom
A stronger zoom-based transition where both images overlap with a more dramatic movement. Best for dynamic videos rather than slow emotional slideshows.
Wipe Left / Right / Up / Down
The next photo is revealed progressively from one side of the screen. Wipe transitions are clean and readable, especially for presentations or product images.
Circle Reveal
The next image appears through an expanding circle from the center. This is a more creative transition that can highlight the middle of the photo.
Blur Fade
Uses blur during the crossfade to create a softer, more atmospheric passage between photos. Useful for emotional or cinematic albums.
Flash Fade
Adds a brief light flash during the transition. It can work well for upbeat event videos, party photos or fast highlight reels.
Random
Automatically selects from the available transition effects. Use it when you want variety without manually choosing a single transition style.
Recommended choice
For the most professional general result, start with Fade, Fade + Zoom or Blur Fade. Use Random for lively albums and Slide or Wipe for cleaner presentation-style videos.
Ken Burns photo motion explained
Ken Burns effects add slow zoom or pan movement while each photo is displayed, making static images feel more like video footage.
None
Keeps photos static. Use this when you want a very simple slideshow or when the photos already contain a lot of detail that should not move.
Zoom In / Zoom Out
Slowly moves closer to or farther from the photo. Zoom In works well for portraits and central subjects; Zoom Out is useful for landscapes and wide scenes.
Pan Left / Right / Up / Down
Moves across the photo while keeping a slight zoom to avoid empty borders. Use horizontal pans for landscapes and vertical pans for tall subjects or portrait images.
Pan Diagonal Down / Up
Moves diagonally across the image for a more cinematic sense of motion. This is useful when you want more variety than a simple horizontal pan.
Zoom In + Pan
Combines a slow zoom-in with movement left, right, up or down. This creates a focused camera-like movement toward the subject.
Zoom Out + Pan
Combines zoom-out movement with a directional pan. This can reveal more of the image over time and works well for landscapes, architecture and group photos.
Alternate Zoom
Alternates between Zoom In and Zoom Out from one photo to the next. It is a simple way to avoid repeating the same movement.
Alternate Pan
Cycles through pan movements, including horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. Good for varied albums where you want motion without too much zoom.
Cinematic Mix
Uses a controlled sequence of camera-style movements such as Zoom In + Pan Right, Zoom Out + Pan Left, diagonal pans and vertical pan combinations. This is a strong default for professional-looking slideshows.
Alternate All
Cycles through all available Ken Burns effects in order. It gives variety while remaining predictable from photo to photo.
Random
Chooses a random motion effect for each photo. Use it for informal, lively videos where variation matters more than consistency.
Ken Burns Intensity
Controls how strong the movement is. Subtle is about 5%, Normal about 10%, Strong about 15% and Dramatic about 20%. Use Subtle or Normal for a clean professional result.
Cover slide, music and export tips
Small settings can make the final slideshow look more intentional and professional.
Cover slide
The optional cover appears at the beginning of the video and can include a title and subtitle. It is useful for naming a trip, event, family album, product collection or presentation.
Cover style
Choose a background color or visual style that matches the mood of the video. A simple dark or gradient cover often looks clean and keeps the title readable.
Background music
Use the preview button next to each track to listen before exporting. For emotional albums, choose softer music; for travel or event reels, a more upbeat track may work better.
Best settings for most users
Try Photo Duration 4 seconds, Transition Duration 1 second, Transition Effect Fade + Zoom or Random, Ken Burns Cinematic Mix and Ken Burns Intensity Normal.
Start with your own photos
Install the extension and create a slideshow video from your local photo collection.