Create slideshow with date as caption automatically

2 min read 22-10-2024

the ifix

Create slideshow with date as caption automatically

Creating a slideshow that automatically incorporates the date as a caption can be a fantastic way to showcase events, travel photos, or any collection of images you want to remember. Below, we will break down the process of creating such a slideshow using Python with the help of the PIL (Python Imaging Library) and moviepy libraries.

Problem Scenario

The initial code you provided aims to create a slideshow but lacks clarity and optimization. Here is the corrected version of the problem statement: "Create a slideshow that automatically adds the date as a caption to each image."

Original Code Snippet

from moviepy.editor import *
from datetime import datetime
import os

def create_slideshow(image_folder, output_file):
    image_files = [f for f in os.listdir(image_folder) if f.endswith('.jpg')]
    clips = []

    for image_file in image_files:
        img_path = os.path.join(image_folder, image_file)
        date_taken = datetime.fromtimestamp(os.path.getmtime(img_path)).strftime('%Y-%m-%d')
        img = ImageClip(img_path).set_duration(2)
        txt_clip = TextClip(date_taken, fontsize=70, color='white').set_position('bottom').set_duration(2)
        video = CompositeVideoClip([img, txt_clip])
        clips.append(video)

    final_video = concatenate_videoclips(clips, method='compose')
    final_video.write_videofile(output_file, fps=24)

create_slideshow('path_to_your_image_folder', 'output_slideshow.mp4')

Explanation of the Code

This code creates a slideshow from images in a specified folder. It retrieves the date each image was last modified and uses that date as the caption for each corresponding image in the slideshow.

Import Libraries:
- The moviepy library is essential for video editing and handling multimedia files.
- The datetime and os libraries help in managing file metadata and paths.
Create a Function:
- create_slideshow(image_folder, output_file) is the main function.
- It takes an image_folder containing images and an output_file path for the final video.
List Image Files:
- The code lists all .jpg images in the specified folder.
Loop Through Images:
- For each image, it retrieves the last modified date.
- It creates an ImageClip for the image and a TextClip for the date.
Composite Video:
- Combines the image and the date caption into a CompositeVideoClip.
- All clips are concatenated into a final video.
Output Video:
- Finally, it writes the complete video to the specified output file.

Practical Example

Imagine you just got back from a vacation, and you want to create a slideshow of your trip photos with the date each photo was taken. By utilizing the above Python script, you can quickly generate a captivating video that includes the dates as captions for each image.

Conclusion

Creating a slideshow with automatic date captions is not only easy to implement but also a fun way to relive memories. With the power of Python and its multimedia libraries, you can effortlessly produce a polished video to share with friends or keep for personal enjoyment.

Useful Resources

Now you can create beautiful slideshows in no time! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy coding!