JP4133245B2 - Automatic photo creation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic photo creation apparatus that takes an illuminated user with a camera and outputs the photographed image as a photograph.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a game photo creation device that takes a user with a camera and outputs the shot image as a photograph. Such a game photo creation device selects an image to be combined with a captured image (hereinafter referred to as an “additional image”) from a variety of background images and foreground images prepared in advance according to the user's preference. In addition, a device has been devised to enhance game or entertainment such as a configuration in which a user can freely draw using a pen-type input means such as a touch pen. In addition, conventional game photo creation devices are equipped with a lighting device such as a flash that emits a bright flash to illuminate the user at the time of shooting, and a fluorescent lamp that illuminates the user by always lighting it. The device for imaging below is made.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the illumination device included in the conventional game photo creation device has a fixed installation position and cannot illuminate from an arbitrary position according to the user's preference. In addition, the lighting device included in the above-described game photo creation device is provided to provide an appropriate lighting environment at the time of imaging, and it is not originally planned to provide a lighting environment that enhances gaming or entertainment. .
[0004]
Therefore, in the present invention, an automatic photo creating apparatus including a lighting device that allows a user to arbitrarily determine the position of the lighting device in accordance with his / her preference and can perform lighting that enhances game play or entertainment. The purpose is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
A first aspect of the invention is an automatic photo creation device including a photographing unit that photographs a subject in a predetermined photographing region, and an output device that outputs a photographed image obtained by the photographing unit or a composite image including the photographed image as a photograph. There,
It can be moved to an arbitrary position near the subject, and is supported at the position by being held by the user as the subject at the time of photographing by the photographing means. Connect to the main body where the above-mentioned photographing means is provided as much as possible with a cord only The illumination means for illuminating the subject is provided.
[0006]
According to the first invention as described above, the user can adjust his / her preference. For example, hold it with your hand It is possible to arbitrarily determine the position of the lighting device , Lighting that enhances playability or entertainment A gaming photo creation device can be provided.
[0007]
According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The illumination means is a front Notori It includes a shutter unit that determines an imaging timing when operated by a user.
[0008]
According to such a second invention, for example, the shutter button is provided in the illumination means that can be gripped by hand, so that the user can perform an imaging operation without losing the position or posture.
[0009]
According to a third invention, in the first or second invention,
The illumination means includes
Flash means for emitting a flash toward the subject;
Color determining means for determining the color of the flash emitted by the flash means;
It is characterized by including.
[0010]
According to the third invention as described above, the color determination means can select the illumination color according to the user's preference, so that it is possible to perform illumination that enhances the game performance or the entertainment property. Can be provided.
[0011]
According to a fourth invention, in the third invention,
The flash means includes a plurality of light emitting units that emit flash,
A plurality of the color determination means are provided corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units so as to determine different colors,
The illuminating means further includes selection means for allowing a user as the subject to select which of the light emitting units emits the flash.
[0012]
According to a fifth invention, in the third invention,
The color determining means includes a plurality of color regions for determining the color of the flash by transmitting the flash, and transmitting the one color region selected from the plurality of color regions to the flash. Features.
[0013]
The sixth invention is the invention according to any one of the third to fifth aspects,
The illuminating means further includes a light projecting means for continuously illuminating the subject by projecting light in a direction substantially the same as a projection direction of the flash light to be emitted by the flash means.
[0014]
According to such a sixth invention, the user can confirm in advance which place the flash by the flash means will illuminate while observing the place illuminated by the light projected by the light projecting means. .
[0015]
A seventh invention is an automatic photo creation method including a photographing step of photographing a subject in a predetermined photographing region, and an output step of outputting a photographed image obtained in the photographing step or a composite image including the photographed image as a photograph. There,
It can move to any position near the subject Thus, at the time of photographing by the photographing means, the user as the subject grips and is supported at the position. And an illuminating step of illuminating the subject by illuminating means.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<1. First Embodiment>
<1.1 Overall Configuration of Apparatus According to First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a gaming photo creation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the gaming photo creation device according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0018]
This game photo creation device includes a shooting room 2 in which a user U enters and a main body 4 that generates a composite image including a shot image of the user U and outputs it as a photo, for example, as a photo sticker or a photo card. ing.
[0019]
The photographing room 2 includes a photographing device 10 including a camera for photographing the user U, a holding mechanism that can move the photographing device 10 up and down and that can change the photographing direction, and is held by the user U from an arbitrary position. And a hand-held flash 100 that illuminates the person U. The photographing apparatus 10 has a configuration in which a camera, a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter abbreviated as “LCD”), a fixed flash arranged at a predetermined position, and a circle fluorescent lamp are accommodated in a disk-shaped case and integrated. In addition to the handheld flash 100, the light from the circle fluorescent lamp and the fixed flash light illuminates the user U, the camera shoots the user U, and the user U sees the captured image displayed on the LCD. Can do. This camera captures a user U existing on the floor surface F in the photographing room 2 and outputs an image signal representing the photographed image. Typically, a digital camera that generates a digital image signal using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. The LCD is configured to display an image represented by the image signal, and is used for confirming a captured image obtained by the camera. The circle fluorescent lamp is an illuminating means for illuminating the shooting direction of the camera, and is always lit during the operation of the present photo creating apparatus. When the shutter button is pressed, the fixed flash flashes in the shooting direction of the camera immediately after that or after a predetermined time of about several seconds. The handheld flash 100 also flashes simultaneously with the fixed flash. The configuration of the handheld flash 100 will be described later. Then, when a flash is emitted from the handheld flash 100 and the fixed flash, an image signal representing an image captured by the camera of the user U illuminated by the flash is transferred to the control device in the main unit 4 and temporarily stored as an image file. Saved.
[0020]
The main body unit 4 is configured mainly by a computer and includes a control device that controls each unit and performs image processing, a printer, a main display device 22, and the like. The main display device 22 has a screen facing the user U. Two light pens are provided on both sides of the main display device 22. The user U can input an image to be added to the captured image displayed on the main display device 22 by operating these light pens. An operation panel 20 is also provided on the front surface of the main body 4, that is, the surface facing the user U, and this operation panel 20 is used to select a captured image constituting a composite image to be output as a photo sticker. It includes selection operation means, designation means for designating a background image or foreground image as an image (additional image) to be added to a captured image when generating a composite image, and the like. Further, the handheld flash 100 is connected to the main body 4 by a connection cord 105. Further, the main body 4 includes a lighting device (hereinafter referred to as “front lighting device”) and a coin insertion slot on the front surface, and a photographic sticker outlet 28 on the side surface.
[0021]
<1.2 Functional configuration of main part of apparatus according to first embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main part of the gaming photo creation apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the functional aspect. Functionally, the main parts of this game photo creation device are functionally the camera 52, the confirmation display unit 54, the video distribution unit 56, the capture control unit 58, the image processing unit 60, the main display unit 62, From the photo sticker output unit 64, the coin input unit 66, the operation unit 68, the illumination unit 70, the I / O control unit 72, the pen input unit 74, the pen input control unit 76, and the main control unit 80. Composed.
[0022]
In this configuration, the camera 52 and the confirmation display unit 54 correspond to the camera and the LCD in the photographing apparatus 10, respectively. The video distribution unit 56 is realized by hardware included in the control device in the main body unit 4 and is an image in a shooting direction (referred to as a “through image”) captured by the camera 52 until the shutter button is pressed. The signal is distributed to the confirmation display unit 54 and the capture control unit 58. As a result, the through image is displayed on the confirmation display unit 54 and also displayed on the main display unit 62 via the capture control unit 58 and the image processing unit 60. The capture control unit 58 is realized by hardware included in the control device and software executed by a computer in the control device, and executes a capture process. That is, when the shutter button is pressed for photographing the user U, an image signal output from the camera 52 as a signal representing the photographed image of the user U is directly (based on an instruction from the main control unit 80 ( (Not via the video distribution unit 56) and temporarily stored as an image file in the image processing unit 60. The image processing unit 60 is realized by hardware included in the control device and software executed by a computer in the control device, and based on an instruction from the main control unit 80, a captured image represented by an image file stored therein By combining the background image and foreground image specified by the operation panel 20 and / or the image input by handwriting with the light pen (hereinafter referred to as “handwritten image”), a combined image is generated. The main display unit 62 corresponds to a main display device in the main body unit 4 and displays a composite image generated by the image processing unit 60. The photo sticker output unit 64 corresponds to a printer built in the main body unit 4, and outputs the composite image generated by the image processing unit 60 as a photo sticker (or photo card) based on an instruction from the main control unit 80. .
[0023]
The coin input unit 66 is realized by a coin insertion slot in the main body 4 and hardware in the control device, detects a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot, and outputs a coin signal indicating the inserted coin. The operation unit 68 corresponds to the operation panel 20 in the main body unit 4 and various operation units included in the handheld flash 100 described later. When the operation panel 20 or the operation unit is operated by the user U, the operation content is displayed. The operation signal shown is output. The illumination unit 70 corresponds to a handheld flash 100, a fixed flash, a front illumination device in the main body unit 4, and a circle fluorescent lamp in the photographing device 10, and is dimmed by the I / O control unit 72 based on an instruction from the main control unit 80. And lighting / extinguishing is controlled. The I / O control unit 72 is realized by hardware in the control device, controls the illumination unit 70 based on an instruction from the main control unit 80, and receives a coin signal from the coin input unit 66 and an operation unit 68. The operation signal is transferred to the main control unit 80. The pen input unit 74 corresponds to the two light pens in the main body unit 4, and when operated by the user U, outputs a pen input signal indicating the operation content. The pen input control unit 76 is realized by hardware included in the control device and software executed by a computer in the control device, receives a pen input signal from the light pen, and represents an image based on the operation content of the user U. A signal is generated and transferred to the main control unit 80 as a handwritten image signal.
[0024]
The main control unit 80 is realized by the software in the computer in the control device, and instructs each unit as described above to control each unit based on the coin signal and operation signal input as described above. Put out. When a handwritten image signal is received from the pen input control unit 76, it is transferred to the image processing unit 60 as a signal of an additional image to be combined with the captured image. The computer in the control device has a timer function, and the main control unit 80 uses this timer function to determine the time from when the shutter switch is pressed until the capture process is started, and the capture process. And the time allowed to input a handwritten image with a light pen are managed.
[0025]
<1.3 Specific Configuration of Handheld Flash According to First Embodiment>
3 is an external front view showing the configuration of the handheld flash 100 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main part of the handheld flash 100, and FIG. It is the schematic which shows arrangement | positioning of each component in the principal part. Hereinafter, the configuration of the handheld flash 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings.
[0026]
The handheld flash 100 should be emitted from a flash unit 110 that is an illumination unit that emits flash light, a test light 120 that is a light projecting unit that projects light in a direction substantially the same as the projection direction of the flash light, and the flash unit 110. A selection unit 130 for selecting a flash color and a shutter button 140 for determining an imaging timing are provided. Since these components are preferably arranged at a position facing the user, they are arranged on the back side of the hand-held flash 100 as shown in FIG. Since the front side of the hand-held flash 100 is imaged together with the user, it has a shape that does not impair the entertainment or the game as shown in FIG. In addition, since the handheld flash 100 held by the user is provided with the shutter button 140, imaging is performed without losing the position or posture of the user.
[0027]
The operation of the handheld flash 100 based on the user's operation will be described below. First, the user operates the selection unit 130 to select a flash color to be emitted from the flash unit 110. For example, the selection unit 130 is configured by a dial type switch, and the user rotates one of the dials to select one of four flash colors of white (colorless), pink, orange, and blue, or the handheld flash 100. The function stop (OFF) can be selected. At that time, the user confirms which place the flash will illuminate while observing the place illuminated by the light emitted by the test light 120. Note that the test light 120 is lit from the time the coin is inserted until the end of shooting. The user holds the handheld flash 100 and moves it to a desired position to maintain that position. Alternatively, a movable stand (not shown) that holds the handheld flash 100 at an arbitrary position may be provided, and the handheld flash 100 may be held by a predetermined holder portion of the movable stand, or the holder on the wall of the photographing room 2 or the like. A portion may be provided and held by this. Thereafter, the user presses the shutter button 140 at an appropriate timing. The flash unit 110 emits a flash immediately after that or after a predetermined time of about several seconds, and the above-described imaging operation is performed.
[0028]
Next, the arrangement of each component in the main part of the handheld flash 100 will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, a flash unit 210 corresponding to the flash unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of light emitting units 211 to 214 that emit flash light, and the test light 220 corresponding to the test light 120 illustrated in FIG. 4. It is arranged in two rows and two stages near the lower part. 4 shows a schematic appearance of the flash unit 110, the four light emitting units 211 to 214 shown in FIG. 5 are not shown in FIG. In the direction in which the light emitting units 211 to 214 should emit flash, white (transparent) filter 261, pink filter 262, orange filter are used as means for determining the flash color corresponding to these light emitting units 211 to 214. 263 and a blue filter 264 are attached. These filters 261 to 264 attenuate wavelength components other than the color of the filter when the flash emitted from the corresponding light emitting part is transmitted, and make the color of the flash almost the same as the color of the filter. The selection unit 130 determines the color of the flash to illuminate the user by electrically selecting the light emitting unit to emit light from the light emitting units 211 to 214.
[0029]
<1.4 Effects of First Embodiment>
According to the above configuration, the user can arbitrarily determine the position of the lighting device according to his / her preference by the hand-held flash 100 as the movable lighting unit, and corresponds to the light emitting units 211 to 214. The illumination color can be selected in accordance with the user's preference by the filter provided in this manner, so that it is possible to provide a gaming photo creation device that performs lighting that enhances gaming or entertainment. Further, the configuration in which the selection unit 130 electrically selects the color of the flash can be configured such that no mechanical operation unit is generated. As a result, the handheld flash can be reduced in size and the durability can be enhanced. Further, the configuration in which the handheld flash 100 is provided with the shutter button 140 allows the user to perform an imaging operation without losing the position or posture. In addition, the configuration including the trial light 120 allows the user to confirm in advance which place the flash will illuminate while looking at the place illuminated by the light emitted by the trial light 120.
[0030]
<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a gaming photo creation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming photo creation device according to the present embodiment is configured and operates in substantially the same manner as the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above, and therefore the description of the same components and their operations is omitted. This gaming photo creation device is different in that it has a handheld flash with a different configuration in place of the handheld flash 100 provided in the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above. The configuration of the main part of the handheld flash will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0031]
The main part of the hand-held flash includes an illumination unit 350 including a flash unit 310 and a test light 320, and a rectangular filter 360 that is provided in front of the flash unit and transmits a predetermined wavelength component of flash light to be emitted. The hand-held flash further includes a base material (not shown), and the above-described components are fixed to predetermined positions on the base material. The filter 360 has four color regions arranged in one row, and these color regions include a white (transparent) region 361, a pink region 362, an orange region 363, and a blue region 364. These color regions are arranged in the vertical direction as shown in the figure. The filter 360 is slidably attached to the base material in the vertical direction, and each color region is set at a position covering the front surface of the flash unit 310 and the test light 320 in accordance with the user's selection. . In the figure, a state where the pink region 362 is set is shown. For example, the filter 360 is directly or mechanically connected to and interlocked with a slide-type switch or lever that is slidable with respect to the arrangement direction of the color regions. With this configuration, a desired color area is set on the front surface of the lighting unit 350, and the color of the flash to illuminate the user is determined.
[0032]
According to the above configuration, the user can determine the position of the lighting device and the lighting color according to his / her preference by the movable handheld flash and filter 360 as in the first embodiment. Lighting that enhances playability or entertainment can be provided. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the handheld flash can be made inexpensive with a simple structure by mechanically selecting the color of the flash by sliding the filter 360. Furthermore, since the rectangular filter 360 that is slidable in the arrangement direction of the color regions is provided, the width of the handheld flash in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (the left-right direction in the figure) can be reduced. Further, since the filter 360 also covers the front surface of the test light 320, the color of the light projected by the test light 320 is the same as the color of the flash that should illuminate the user, and the user can change the color of the flash that should be emitted. This can be confirmed in advance.
[0033]
<3. Third Embodiment>
Next, a gaming photo creating apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming photo creation device according to the present embodiment is configured and operates in substantially the same manner as the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above, and therefore the description of the same components and their operations is omitted. This gaming photo creation device is different in that it has a handheld flash with a different configuration in place of the handheld flash 100 provided in the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above. Hereinafter, the configuration of the main part of the handheld flash will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
The main part of the handheld flash includes an illumination unit 450 including a flash unit 410 and a test light 420, and a circular filter 460 that is provided in front of the flash unit and transmits a predetermined wavelength component of flash light to be emitted. The hand-held flash further includes a base material (not shown), and the above-described constituent elements are fixed in place by the base material. The filter 460 has four color regions divided into four in a fan shape, and these color regions include a white (transparent) region 461, a pink region 462, an orange region 463, and a blue region 464. The filter 460 is rotatably attached to the base material with a center point 465 as a center, and each color region is set at a position covering the front surface of the flash unit 410 and the test light 420 according to the user's selection. The In the figure, a state where the blue region 464 is set is shown. The filter 460 is directly connected to, for example, a rotatable disk whose center of rotation is aligned with the center point 465, or mechanically connected with a gear or the like and interlocked therewith. With this configuration, a desired color region is set on the front surface of the lighting unit 450, and the color of the flash to illuminate the user is determined.
[0035]
According to the above configuration, the user can determine the position of the lighting device and the lighting color according to his / her preference by using the movable handheld flash and filter 360 as in the second embodiment. Lighting that enhances playability or entertainment can be provided. Further, the configuration in which the color of the flash is mechanically selected by rotating the filter 460 makes it possible to reduce the cost of the handheld flash with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the filter 460 also covers the front surface of the test light 420, the user can confirm in advance the color of the flash to be emitted. Further, unlike the second embodiment, since the rotatable circular filter 360 is provided, the length of the handheld flash can be shortened.
[0036]
<4. Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a gaming photo creating apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming photo creation device according to the present embodiment is configured and operates in substantially the same manner as the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above, and therefore the description of the same components and their operations is omitted. This gaming photo creation device is different in that it has a handheld flash with a different configuration in place of the handheld flash 100 provided in the gaming photo creation device of FIG. 1 described above. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, the arrangement of each component in the main part of the handheld flash will be described.
[0037]
The main part of the hand-held flash includes an illumination unit 550 including a flash unit 510 and a test light 520, and a cylindrical filter 560 that transmits the predetermined wavelength of the flash that is to be emitted by storing the illumination unit 550 therein. Including. The hand-held flash further includes a base material (not shown), and the above-described constituent elements are fixed in place by the base material. The filter 560 has a rotation axis perpendicular to the projection direction of the flash light, and has four color regions obtained by dividing the outer peripheral side surface of the cylinder into four parallel to the rotation axis. These four color regions include a white (transparent) region 561, a pink region 562, an orange region 563, and a blue region 564. The filter 560 is rotatably attached to the base material so as to rotate about the rotation axis, and each color region corresponds to the front of the flash unit 410 and the test light 420 according to the color selection by the user. Is set to cover the position. The filter 560 is directly connected to, for example, a rotatable disk with its rotation axis and rotation center aligned, or mechanically connected with a gear or the like and interlocked therewith. With this configuration, a desired color area is set on the front surface of the lighting unit 550, and the color of the flash to illuminate the user is determined.
[0038]
According to the above configuration, the user can determine the position of the lighting device and the lighting color according to his / her preference by using the movable handheld flash and filter 360 as in the third embodiment. Lighting that enhances playability or entertainment can be provided. Further, the configuration in which the color of the flash is mechanically selected by rotating the filter 460 makes it possible to reduce the cost of the handheld flash with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the filter 560 also covers the front surface of the test light 520, the user can confirm in advance the color of the flash to be emitted. Further, unlike the third embodiment, since the rotatable cylindrical filter 560 is provided, the hand-held flash can be made compact.
[0039]
<5. Modified example of each embodiment>
In each of the first to fourth embodiments, four colors of flash are selectable, but the number of colors is not limited. Further, the light wavelength may not be selectively transmitted, but a plurality of brightness flashes may be selected using a filter that limits only the light amount.
[0040]
In the first embodiment, the appearance of the handheld flash 100 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, but it may be any shape as long as it is easy to hold in the hand. The plurality of light emitting units 211 to 214 are arranged in two rows and two stages as shown in FIG. 4, but may be arranged in any manner such as one vertical row or one horizontal row. Further, a plurality of test lights 220 may be provided corresponding to the light emitting units 211 to 214 so that the light to be projected passes through any of the filters 261 to 264.
[0041]
In each of the second to fourth embodiments, the filter 360, 460, or 560 is configured to be mechanically moved by a user, but an electric motor or electromagnet (not shown) that drives these filters is used. A new drive unit may be newly provided, and the filter may be slid or rotated by giving an electrical instruction to the drive unit.
[0042]
In the third and fourth embodiments, the filter 460 or 560 is configured to be interlocked with, for example, a rotatable disk, but this disk may be omitted. For example, the vicinity of the circumferential portion of the filter 460 may be partially exposed to the outside of the handheld flash, and the exposed portion may be configured to be rotated in the circumferential direction by a user or the like. Similarly, the vicinity of the cylindrical outer peripheral side surface portion of the filter 560 may be partially exposed to the outside of the handheld flash, and the user may be configured to rotate the exposed portion in the circumferential direction with a finger or the like.
[0043]
In the second embodiment, the filter 360 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction, but may be configured to be slidable in the horizontal direction. Similarly, in the fourth embodiment, the filter 560 is configured to be rotatable with the rotation axis set in the horizontal direction, but may be configured to be rotatable with the rotation axis set in the vertical direction. Moreover, in 4th Embodiment, the filter 560 may be comprised as a part of cylinder which a part of outer peripheral side surface was missing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a gaming photo creation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the gaming photo creation device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an external view showing a configuration of a handheld flash according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the handheld flash according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of main parts of the handheld flash according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of main parts of a hand-held flash according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of main parts of a hand-held flash according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of main parts of a hand-held flash according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 ... Photography room
4 ... Body part
10: Imaging device
100 ... flash
105… Connection cord
110, 210, 310, 410, 510 ... flash unit
120, 220, 320, 420, 520 ... test light
130 ... selection part
140. Shutter button
211-214 ... Light emitting part
261 to 264, 360, 460, 560... Filter
350, 450, 550 ... Lighting unit
U: User
F ... Floor

Claims (7)

An automatic photo creation device comprising a photographing means for photographing a subject in a predetermined photographing region, and an output device for outputting a photographed image obtained by the photographing means or a composite image including the photographed image as a photograph,
A body part and a cord provided with the photographing means so that the photographing means can be moved to an arbitrary position in the vicinity of the subject and supported by the user who is the subject at the time of photographing by the photographing means. An automatic photo creation apparatus comprising: illumination means for illuminating the subject, which is connected only by the above.   2. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit includes a shutter unit that determines an imaging timing when operated by the user. The illumination means includes
Flash means for emitting a flash toward the subject;
The automatic photo creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a color determining unit that determines a color of a flash emitted by the flash unit. The flash means includes a plurality of light emitting units that emit flash,
A plurality of the color determination means are provided corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units so as to determine different colors,
The automatic illuminating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the illuminating unit further includes a selecting unit that allows a user as the subject to select which of the light emitting units emits the flash.   The color determining means includes a plurality of color areas for determining the color of the flash light by transmitting the flash light, and allows the flash light to transmit one color area selected from the plurality of color areas. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein   The lighting unit further includes a light projecting unit that projects the subject continuously by projecting light in a direction substantially the same as a projection direction of the flash light to be emitted by the flash unit. The automatic photo production apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 6. An automatic photo creation method including a photographing step of photographing a subject in a predetermined photographing region, and an output step of outputting a photographed image obtained in the photographing step or a composite image including the photographed image as a photograph,
An illumination step of illuminating the subject by illumination means that can be moved to an arbitrary position near the subject and is held by the user as the subject at the time of photographing by the photographing means. An automatic photo creation method characterized by including.

Images