JP2014006304A - Imaging device, imaging system, and illumination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust distribution of light of an illumination device set at a distant position from an imaging position.SOLUTION: An electronic camera 11 captures an image of an object 16 illuminated by a master flash 12. A remote flash 13 is set in the periphery of the object 16. The remote flash 13 synchronously illuminates the object 16 with illumination of the master flash 12. The electronic camera 11 acquires information on the current illumination position and illumination direction from the remote flash 13 by wireless communication and calculates change information to change the illumination position and illumination direction of the remote flash 13 on the basis of a test image acquired by carrying out preliminary imaging. The calculated change information is transmitted to the remote flash 13 by wireless communication. The remote flash 13 changes the illumination position and illumination direction on the basis of the received change information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, and an illumination method.

  Conventionally, when shooting lighting photos or commemorative photos in a studio, etc., multiple flash photography has been performed by placing multiple flashes on the left, right, front, top and bottom of the subject and irradiating the subject with flash light from multiple directions. Has been done. In multi-flash photography, the shadows created on the subject can be finely adjusted by adjusting the irradiation position and direction of multiple lighting devices, and high quality commercial images that express the texture and stereoscopic effect of the subject can be obtained. Can be obtained (Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-32618 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to adjust shadow positions by adjusting the irradiation positions and irradiation directions of a plurality of lighting apparatuses after performing a test photographing and performing light distribution confirmation. This operation is very troublesome because it is necessary to go to the positions of a plurality of lighting devices one by one.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, an imaging system, and an illumination method that can easily adjust the light distribution of an illumination device installed at a location distant from the imaging position.

  An aspect of an imaging apparatus illustrating the present invention is an illumination information that acquires information about an imaging unit that images a subject, an illumination position of an illumination unit that illuminates the subject at a position away from the imaging unit, and information on an illumination direction from the illumination unit. An acquisition unit; and a change information calculation unit that calculates change information for changing the illumination position and the illumination direction of the illumination unit based on a test image acquired by executing pre-shooting by the imaging unit. Is.

  In the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust the light distribution of the illumination means installed at a location distant from the photographing position.

It is a top view which shows the outline of the illumination system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of an illumination system. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic camera, master flash, and remote flash which comprise an illumination system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of an illumination system. 5 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation procedure described in FIG. 4. (A) shows a test image displayed on the display unit, and (B) shows a state in which a range to be shaded or brightened in the test image is designated.

  An imaging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic camera 11, a master flash 12, and a plurality of remote (slave) flashes 13 to 15 as shown in FIG. I do.

  The electronic camera 11 is installed substantially in front of the subject 16 using a tripod or the like. The master flash 12 is an external type that is attached to a shoe provided in the electronic camera 11 and functions as a main illumination. The remote flashes 13 to 14 receive the light emitted from the master flash 12 by the light receiving sensor, and the light emission start and the light emission stop are controlled in synchronization with the light emission start and light emission stop of the master flash 12. The plurality of remote flashes 13 to 15 are installed around the subject 16 and function as, for example, fill-in light or accent light. The electronic camera 11 is an example of an imaging unit, and the remote flashes 13 to 15 are examples of an illumination unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote flash 13 includes a support unit 18, a position change unit 19, and an irradiation direction change unit 20. The support portion 18 includes, for example, a tripod that supports the remote flash 13. The irradiation direction changing unit 20 is attached to the support unit 18 and changes the irradiation direction of the remote flash 13 vertically and horizontally. The position changing unit 19 changes the direction of the cart that holds the support unit 18, the plurality of wheels provided on the cart, the drive unit that drives some of the wheels before or after, and the part of the wheels. A direction control unit is provided to freely change the position of the remote flash 13. Since the remote flashes 14 and 15 have the same mechanism as the remote flash 13, they are omitted in FIGS. The position changing unit 19 may include a rail provided on the ceiling and a moving unit that moves the remote flash using the rail as a guide.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote flash includes a transmission / reception unit 22, a light receiving sensor 23, a flash unit 24, a ROM 25, and a position information acquisition unit 26 in addition to the position changing unit 19 and the irradiation direction changing unit 20. Controlled by the unit 27. The transmission / reception unit 22 performs wireless communication with the electronic camera 11. The light receiving sensor 23 receives light emitted from the master flash 12. The position information acquisition unit 26 includes a GPS function, and calculates the current global position information based on information obtained from the GPS satellite 28. The flash unit 24 stores electric power supplied from a battery (battery) in a light emitting capacitor, and emits flash light from the flash light emitting unit through the light emitting surface using the electric power stored in the light emitting capacitor. The ROM 25 stores in advance flash performance such as a guide number, an identification number, and the like.

  The electronic camera 11 includes a camera unit 30, an image processing unit 31, an operation unit 32, a transmission / reception unit 33, a flash communication unit 34, a display control unit 35, a display unit 36, a RAM 37, a ROM 38, a position information acquisition unit 39, and a change information calculation unit. 40, a recording unit 41, and a control unit 42 for comprehensively controlling them.

  The camera unit 30 obtains image data by imaging the subject 16 imaged by the taking lens with an imaging element. The image processing unit 31 performs image processing on the image data acquired by the camera unit 30. The image processing unit 31 is an image processing unit that automatically performs image processing such as white balance on the image data acquired by the camera unit 30, and a photographer selectively performs image processing such as changing brightness. And an image processing unit. The recording unit 41 records the image data subjected to the image processing that is automatically performed on a recording medium such as an internal memory or an external memory.

  The operation unit 32 includes a release operation unit, a mode selection operation unit, a cross button, a determination button, and the like. The mode selection operation unit selects any one of a shooting mode, a playback mode, and a guide mode. The guide mode is a mode in which shooting is performed by changing the position of the remote flash and the irradiation direction so that the shadow balance as intended by the photographer is achieved (so as to achieve optimum lighting). The operation unit includes a touch operation unit provided on the display surface of the display unit 36. The transmission / reception unit 33 performs wireless communication with the remote flash 13.

  The flash communication unit 34 is connected to the camera communication unit 43 provided in the master flash 12, acquires flash performance information, identification information, and the like from the master flash 12, and sends a light emission start signal, a light emission stop signal, and the like. The display control unit 35 controls the display unit 36 according to the control of the control unit 42. The display unit 36 displays a through image, a captured image, and the like. Various programs and the like are stored in the ROM 38. The RAM 37 is used as a work area for executing various programs and temporarily stores test image data and the like. The position information acquisition unit 39 has the same function as the position information acquisition unit 26 described in the remote flash 13.

  The change information calculation unit 40 determines a condition (change information to be a desired shadow balance) based on the current position and irradiation direction of the remote flash 13 and the test image acquired by the pre-photographing performed before the main photographing. ) For example, conditions such as the position of the remote flash 13 and the irradiation direction are obtained. Based on the change information calculated by the change information calculation unit 40, the control unit 42 sends position information as a movement destination and information on the irradiation direction after the change to each remote flash 13. Note that the change information calculation unit 40 is not limited to the calculation, and for example, the optimal position and irradiation direction of the remote flash 13 based on the current position and irradiation direction of the remote flash 13 and the conditions that have been known so far. It may be predicted. The change information calculation unit 40 is an example of a change information specifying unit.

  The master flash 12 includes a camera communication unit 43, a flash unit 45, a ROM 47, and a control unit 46. The flash unit 45 has the same function as the position information acquisition unit 26 described in the remote flash 13. The camera communication unit 43 is connected to the flash communication unit 34 on the camera side via the shoe of the electronic camera 11 and exchanges signals with the electronic camera 11 side. The ROM 47 stores flash unit performance information in advance. This information is sent to the electronic camera 11 via the camera communication unit 43. The control unit 46 controls the light emission of the flash unit 45 based on the light emission start signal and the light emission stop signal received by the camera communication unit 43.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera 11 is installed in front of the subject 16 using a tripod or the like. The master flash 12 is attached to the shoe of the electronic camera 11. Thereby, the flash communication unit 34 and the camera communication unit 43 are electrically connected. Finally, the remote flash 13 is installed around the subject 16. In FIG. 1, three remote flashes 13 to 15 are illustrated. However, in order to simplify the description, the remote flash 13 will be described below.

  The power supply of the remote flash 13 is turned on. The position changing unit 19 and the illumination direction changing unit 20 are set so that the initial position of the remote flash 13 is the position and orientation at which the subject 16 is substantially illuminated. The master flash 12 is turned on. Then, the electronic camera 11 is turned on (S-1). Then, the composition is determined while viewing the subject in the through image displayed on the display unit 36. Thereafter, the guide mode is selected by operating the mode selection operation unit of the electronic camera 11 (S-2).

  In response to the selection operation of the guide mode, the control unit 42 controls to display a screen for inputting the number of remote flashes 13 on the display unit 36 (S-3). On this screen, a numeric keypad is displayed, and the number of remote flashes 13 is input by touching a numeric button constituting the numeric keypad. Thereafter, the control unit 42 establishes a connection with each remote flash 13 via the transmission / reception unit 33, and acquires information such as identification information and flash performance in order from the remote flash 13 with which the connection has been established (S- 4). The control unit 42 stores the acquired information in the RAM 37. In addition, identification information is given to a signal exchanged between the electronic camera 11 and each of the remote flashes 13 to 15. Both devices that send and receive signals identify from which device the signal is based on the identification information.

  The control unit 42 determines whether or not the remote flash 13 that has established the connection matches the number of input remote flashes from the acquired information (S-5). Here, if they do not match, there may be a case where there is an input error, a case where there is a remote flash 13 in which connection is not established due to reasons such as radio not reaching, or a case where there is a remote flash 13 which is not used. If there is an input error case or there is a remote flash 13 for which connection is not established, the procedure may be returned to the procedure for inputting the number of remote flashes 13 again (S-3). If there are remote flashes that are not used, a selection screen such as “Do you want to continue, although the number recognized and the number entered is different?” Is displayed and the photographer is asked to “Yes” or “No”. It is desirable to select (S-6).

  Thereafter, the control unit 42 displays a selection screen as to whether or not to perform image processing after multiple-lamp photography (S-7). This image processing is processing that cannot be performed by lighting alone, for example, processing that brightens a part or processing that shades a part. When “Use image processing together” is selected, the control unit 42 turns on the flag (S-8). Thereafter, the control unit 42 displays a screen for inputting the position of the remote flash 13 on the display unit 36 (S-9). On this screen, a screen for selecting either automatic input of position input automatically or manual input manually is displayed (S-10). When automatic is selected, the control unit 42 communicates with the remote flash 13 and acquires position information from each remote flash 13 (S-11).

  If manual is selected, position information of each remote flash 13 is input (S-12). As this input method, for example, the distance between each electronic flash 11 and each remote flash 13 may be input three-dimensionally in x, y, z coordinates. For example, the plan view shown in FIG. As described above, a map (plan view) around the electronic camera 11 may be displayed on the display unit 36, and the pattern of the remote flash 13 may be moved and determined on the map by a touch operation. It is preferable that the map information, for example, information such as a plan view of the building, is acquired from the data server by wireless communication. The position of the subject 16 on the display can be specified based on the subject distance obtained from the distance measuring unit provided in the electronic camera 11. When all the inputs are completed (S-13), the initial position information of the remote flash is determined (S-14).

  For example, the control unit 42 displays a message for prompting pre-shooting such as “please perform test shooting” on the display unit 36 (S-15). After confirming this display, the photographer operates the release operation unit to perform pre-shooting (S-16). The pre-shooting is performed by multi-flash shooting using the remote flash 13 and the master flash 12 at the specified initial position. At this time, the electronic camera 11 performs automatic dimming exposure control based on the light amount ratio set according to the number of slave flashes 13 so that the optimum light emission amount is obtained.

  The control unit 42 temporarily stores image data acquired by pre-shooting in the RAM 37 and displays an image (test image) read from the RAM 37 on the display unit 36. The photographer views the test image and gives an instruction for image correction such as shading or brightening the desired range so as to obtain the desired lighting (S-17). For example, when the test image is the image shown in FIG. 6A, this instruction indicates that the shadow or brightness correction range of the test image is 2 on the diagonal as shown in FIG. This can be done by touching a point or by sliding. Since the “add shadow” and “brighten” buttons are displayed, one of the buttons is selected and operated (S-18).

  When the flag is off (S-19), the change information calculation unit 40 shades the set range or sets the irradiation position and irradiation direction of the remote flash 13 so that the set range becomes bright. calculate. At this time, it is preferable to display the changed positions of the plurality of remote flashes 13 with respect to the electronic camera 11 based on the calculated position on the display unit 36 in a diagram viewed from a plane as shown by arrows in FIG. .

  When the flag is on, the change information calculation unit 40 shades the set range, or the position of the remote flash 13 after using image processing so that the set range becomes bright, and The irradiation direction is calculated (S-20). Also in this case, based on the calculated position of the remote flash 13, it is preferable to display the change position of the remote flash 13 with respect to the electronic camera 11 on the display unit 36 in a diagram viewed from a plane as indicated by an arrow in FIG. It is.

  The control unit 42 sends the information of the result calculated by the change information calculation unit 40, that is, the changed position information and the irradiation direction information to the corresponding remote flash 13 via the transmission / reception unit 33. Each remote flash 13 receives position information and irradiation direction information from the electronic camera 11 by the transmission / reception unit 22. The control unit 27 of the remote flash 13 controls the position changing unit 19 and the irradiation direction changing unit 20 based on the received position information and irradiation direction information, and the position of the flash unit 24 and the light emitting surface 24a. The direction is changed (S-21).

  Each remote flash 13 sends a completion signal to the electronic camera 11 in response to a change in the position of the flash unit 24 and the direction of the light emitting surface 24a. The electronic camera 11 receives the completion signal from each remote flash 13 and confirms that the change has been made (S-22). At this time, the control unit 42 of the electronic camera 11 displays a display on the display unit 36 indicating that all the remote flashes 13 have been changed through visual or auditory sense, such as lighting or blinking of an OK mark or a display lamp, or a buzzer. It is preferable to do this (S-23).

  Thereafter, the control unit 42 controls the display unit 36 to display a display for instructing the actual photographing (S-24). After confirming the display, the photographer operates the release operation unit to perform the main photographing. Here, when the flag is turned on, the image processing unit 31 performs image processing on a range that cannot be rendered by lighting on the main image data (S-25). For example, the image processing unit 31 performs image processing to brighten a specific range in which the surrounding frame 51 is set, and to perform shadowing image processing to add a shadow. As the image processing, for example, when the face of the subject is shadowed by a hat, the change information calculation unit 40 determines that the face is not brightened by only the remote flashes 13 to 15 by specifying that the face is brightened. When the image processing unit 31 performs the image processing, the image processing unit 31 is controlled to perform image processing with the same brightness as that of the periphery of the face image region.

  The control unit 42 displays the image (including the image processed image) obtained after the main photographing on the display unit 36 (S-26). Here, a selection button of “correction required” or “no correction” is displayed on the display unit 36 (S-27). When the photographer selects the “correction required” button, the control unit 42 returns to the procedure for waiting for an instruction to perform shadow or brightness correction again (S-18), and changes again based on the correction instruction by the touch operation. The information calculation unit 40 calculates the position and irradiation direction information of the remote flash 13 and executes a process for performing the main photographing.

  When the “no correction” button is selected, the control unit 42 displays on the display unit 36 a “save” button for saving the change information and a “no save” button for not saving (S-28). When the “Save” button is selected, the image data and the change information are associated with each other and the recording unit saves them on the recording medium (S-29). When the “No Save” button is selected, only the image data is recorded. (S-30).

  In the above embodiment, a flash that emits a flash is used as the illuminating means, but an LED that always lights up may be used. In this case, change information can be calculated or specified using a through image as a test image.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the GPS function for acquiring global position information is used as the position information acquisition units 26 and 39. Instead, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (wireless LAN) is used. ) Or the like, and the position information of each remote flash 13 based on the wireless access point provided in the electronic camera may be acquired.

  In each of the above embodiments, the image processing performed after the lighting change is selectively performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only lighting after changing the lighting conditions of the remote flashes 13 to 15 based on the change information. If a desired image cannot be obtained, the image processing unit 31 may automatically perform image processing. In this case, a condition for determining that the image is desired may be stored and determined in advance. In each of the above embodiments, the number of remote flashes 13 to 15 is described as three, but may be four or more, or only one.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, as described in “S-17” in FIG. 5, an image correction instruction for “shading” or “brightening” is executed by looking at the test image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is configured to specify the illumination position and irradiation direction of the illumination means based on change information such as “insert catchlight”, “arrangement for gravure photography”, and “arrangement for poster photography” May be. For example, the change information “insert catch light” is information for giving a lively effect by reflecting flash light on the eyes of a person or an animal. For example, the change information for the “gravure shooting arrangement” is that the master flash bounces to a white wall or ceiling, and the remote flash irradiates from the back of the model to create a ring of light on the model outline. This is information for emphasizing the contour. The change information of “Poster shooting layout” is information for shooting the face of the model as brightly as possible.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging system 11 Electronic camera 12 Master flash 13-15 Remote flash 16 Subject

Claims (9)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Illumination information acquisition means for acquiring information on the illumination position and illumination direction of the illumination means for illuminating the subject at a position away from the imaging means from the illumination means;
Change information specifying means for specifying change information for changing the illumination position and the illumination direction of the illumination means based on a test image acquired by performing pre-shooting by the imaging means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
An image processing unit that performs image processing on an image acquired by executing actual photographing by the imaging unit when a desired image cannot be obtained only by illumination by the illumination unit changed based on the change information; An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
An image pickup apparatus comprising recording means for recording the change information in association with image data for recording. Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Illumination means for illuminating the subject at a position away from the imaging means;
Illumination information acquisition means for acquiring information on the illumination position and illumination direction of the illumination means from the illumination means;
Change information specifying means for specifying change information for changing the illumination position and the illumination direction of the illumination means based on a test image acquired by performing pre-shooting by the imaging means;
An imaging system comprising: The imaging system according to claim 4,
An image processing unit that performs image processing on an image acquired by executing actual photographing by the imaging unit when a desired image cannot be obtained only by illumination by the illumination unit changed based on the change information; An imaging system comprising: The imaging system according to claim 4 or 5,
An imaging system comprising recording means for recording change information in association with image data. The imaging system according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
An imaging system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a control signal for changing an illumination position and an illumination direction to the illumination unit. The imaging system according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
An imaging system comprising: a position changing unit that changes the position of the illumination unit; and an illumination direction changing unit that changes an illumination direction.   Based on the test image obtained by pre-photographing the subject illuminated by the illumination means installed at a position away from the imaging position, specify the change information for changing the illumination position and illumination direction of the illumination means, An illumination method for automatically changing the position and illumination direction of the illumination means based on the specified change information.

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