One golden rule of presenting is that you are your most effective audio visual aid. Better still when supported by some finely crafted slides or other visual aids, no question. But the slides are there to do just that, support you, your argument, proposal, sale .. whatever it might be.
When presenting the main arguments or benefits, and in order to maximise the attention of your audience, you will often (very often in many cases) want them focused on you and what you are saying. The only feasible way of achieving this is to have no other distraction, particularly not up on the screen behind you. So, intersperse ‘blanks’ in your presentation slides when you need this full focus from them. Blank should mean something other than glaring white, but, within the context of your slides theme(s), something that in no way distracts. I prefer to use a washed out or blurred image (perhaps of the basic template design itself) that is pleasing but not distinct.
Then, when you are ready, you can move your story forward with the next summarising, explanatory or introductory slide and, crucially, everyone will be looking at it together. You retain control of the rhythm and pace and, to the greatest extent that you can, the attention of the entire audience as well.
It works. Try it next time and let me know if it worked for you.
Here’s a very short video on the same topic:
Nice post, pretty much nails it for me, cool website!