what to do with a washed out screen
The image is crisp. The colors are vibrant. The text is clear and easy to read.
Then you project it onto the screen. It's not the same. What happened?
I am not a technical person. But I know how disappointing it can be to go from monitor to screen. Especially if the system that your using to project your media is older, or quality was sacrificed in those last minute "budget cuts". And how do you deal with a facility that was designed with lots of windows? Who could have predicted that you would want to eventually darken the room completely? Whatever the visual ill, it seems that every church has media liabilities. But all of them seem to result in one thing.
The washed out screen.
If you happened to be blessed with inheriting a perfect system, or had the insight to install one in your building project then read no further. If you, however, are one of the many that struggle with the "washed out" screen we have a few humble tips:
1. high contrast.
Bright text with dark backgrounds or dark backgrounds with bright text. It may seem simple but it surprises me that this, so often, gets overlooked. Don't force your congregation to strain to see. You wouldn't force them strain to hear the music, would you? Larger text may be in order as well. Get used to using a drop shadow if you have that ability in your presentation software.
2. simple shapes.
An image that has lots of detail may lose its meaning when projected. If what you are trying to communicate gets lost "in the fog" you have not gained anything, in fact you may leave your congregation confused and distracted. Choose simple images that communicate clear messages.
3. test it.
Project it without an audience. Don't wait for the main event to find out that the media piece that you spent hours on looks like mush. Get used to your system's quirks and learn to adapt your images to it.
The images that are supplied on avisualplanet.com range from simple to the very detailed. Some of the more detailed may not project well if you have a "washed out" screen. Choose with care, up your contrast, and always test before you project.
IMHO.
–blair anderson, ceo avisualplanet.com
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