Images are an essential component of presentations because they evoke stronger emotions than text and help presenters engage their audience. They also remain in memory significantly longer than other content. The correct use of images can make a presentation stand out from the rest, while the incorrect or poor use of graphics can be detrimental to the presenter.

Therefore, for a professional-looking presentation, it is essential to thoroughly examine images and their impact.
What should be taken into account?

Resolution and image sharpness

To be aesthetically pleasing, images must be high-resolution and of good quality. Even if it sometimes takes longer, the search for high-quality images is worthwhile. In most cases, it's even better to forgo an image altogether than to use a low-quality one.

Due to the continuous improvement of screens and projectors, the demands on the image material used are also increasing. While lower resolutions were acceptable a few years ago, they look extremely poor on high-resolution devices.

Image size

The larger the image, the more noticeable it is. Large graphics catch the eye and remain in the audience's memory. Therefore, it's important to use large images whenever possible and integrate them skillfully into the presentation. Simply cramming as many large images as possible onto the slides isn't enough; they must fit the overall design and be coordinated with the rest of the presentation.

Those who take the time to intelligently integrate background images and other visual stylistic devices into their presentation will certainly be rewarded.

Number of images

Although images are essential for good presentations, moderation is key. An excess of images reduces the impact of each individual one. To achieve maximum effect and attract attention, each image should be carefully considered.

Some images are more important than others, and these should be given special prominence. The audience can only concentrate on these images if they are not distracted by anything else.

Proper use of multiple images at once

Sometimes it's necessary or useful to use multiple images on a single slide, for example, for comparisons or overviews. In this case, it's essential to maintain order. The arrangement and size of the different elements must be coordinated, or you risk appearing chaotic. Frames can help to clearly separate the images.

How to crop images correctly

Properly cropping and editing images is an important step, as many things can go wrong. If possible, avoid cropping too much; instead, minimize the image as a whole. It takes some practice and a good eye to properly prepare images.

Enlarge images correctly

Although it's not recommended, sometimes you have no choice but to enlarge images. However, it's crucial to pay attention to the resolution and image quality, as enlarged images can very quickly become blurry and unsightly. To avoid distorting the image, you must also be mindful of the aspect ratio.

PowerPoint presentations are primarily visual tools used to make presentations more engaging. Therefore, images are an essential, if not the most important, aspect of every slide deck. So make sure your visuals meet the high expectations of today's audience and amaze them!

For more information and tips on the topic of images in presentations, we recommend our series "Image Editing in PowerPoint":

"Image editing in PowerPoint" at a glance

• Image editing in PowerPoint – Knowledge level 1 (inserting & editing images, cropping, resolution, image effects, etc.)
• Image editing in PowerPoint – Knowledge level 2 (creating photo clip art, combining photos with shapes)
• Image editing in PowerPoint – Knowledge level 3 (Animations with images)
• Image editing in PowerPoint – Knowledge level 4 (Inserting images into SmartArt graphics, PowerPoint photo album)
• Image editing in PowerPoint – Knowledge level 5 (Creating visually unusual images, inserting maps, extra tips)