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The old saying that the best camera is the one you have with you is true enough, but sometimes what you really want is a way to share those great photos that's easy, free and really does them justice. In this tutorial we'll be walking through Animoto, a web service and iPhone app that allows you to select photos, add titles and a soundtrack and then apply a style which includes custom backgrounds, animations (think picture in picture, that kind of thing) as well as transition effects. The free version has a limit of 12 pictures but that's more than enough to create a fancy electronic postcard of- for example - your holiday or a night out and then share it with friends either directly or via Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networks.

What You Need:

Discover How to Use Animoto (Step-by-Step Guide)

The Video Tool

Download and install Animoto (it's Free) and then tap the icon to start. When the main screen loads, tap the green Create Video button to begin and then, at the next screen tap the Video Tools button at the bottom right to open this menu. Then tap Add Photos to continue.

Choosing Photos

You can snap a new photo or select ones you've already taken (as many as 12 in the Free version); just open the relevant photo library and then choose photos by tapping on them so a green tick appears. All finished? Tap the Done button at the top right to see thumbnails of your photos displayed in date order.

Add a Title

Open the Video Tools menu and choose Add Text. Type in a heading and sub-heading for the slideshow and tap Done and then Add Text. Back at the thumbnail viewyou'll see Animoto has added the title to the end. Pick it up with your finger and drag it to the start. (All slides can be re-arranged in the same way).

Choose Some Music

Open the Video Tools menu again and choose Change Song. Animoto has a library of licensed songs you can use - select either Albums, Artists or Genres and see what takes your fancy. Audition tracks by tapping the play button and choose one by tapping it and then tapping the Select button at the top right.

Choose A Style

The free version of Animoto includes eight built-in styles - open the Video Tools menu and choose Change Style and then swipe through them, tapping View Sample to see a preview of the included style and effects. Found one you like? Tap Select Style. Back at the thumbnail screen, tap Preview to see what it looks like.

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