JP5962974B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program.

  In recent years, high-power zoom including super-resolution mode has become one of the important specifications of digital cameras. By the way, when trying to shoot by hand at the time of high magnification zoom, even if a slight camera shake, the through image is greatly shifted, and it is difficult to shoot at the target angle of view.

  Therefore, for example, in order to obtain an image with less blur, a technique for preventing image blur caused by camera shake by moving the image sensor so as to cancel the vibration based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection sensor has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in an imaging apparatus including a plurality of imaging units, a plurality of imaging units are simultaneously driven to capture a predetermined number of consecutive images, and a single composite image is created by superimposing these images. Thus, a technique for creating an image in which camera shake and noise are suppressed has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-184787 A JP 2007-208704 A

  However, although the above-described prior art can reduce camera shake and the like, there is a problem that the composition that is the positional relationship between the subject and the background cannot be a desired composition.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program that can capture an image with a desired composition.

According to the present invention, a pre-shot image is captured by the imaging unit in response to an instruction operation for pre-shot shooting during live view display. Pre-shot photographing means for storing a photographing direction detected by the direction detecting means when photographing a shot image, and stopping the live view display after the pre-shot image is photographed by the pre -shot photographing means, display image, and the subject specifying means for specifying the position of the object on the display the pre-shot image, and the position of the specified object using the object specifying means, the pre-shot image stored by the pre-shot photographing means based on the photographing direction upon shooting, the there is a designated object to be And the subject direction specifying means for specifying a body direction, the said object direction identified by the object direction specifying means, based on the photographing direction detected by the direction detecting means when taking the image by the image pickup means An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control unit that controls imaging of the main image.

The present invention includes a step of detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit, a step of shooting a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation during live view display, and when the pre-shot image is shot. storing a photographing direction, a step of said stop live view display after the pre-shot image is captured to display the pre-shot image, to specify the position of the object on the display the pre-shot image, Identifying the subject direction in which the designated subject is located based on the position of the designated subject on the pre-shot image and the photographing direction when the stored pre-shot image is photographed; wherein the identified the subject direction, the imaging direction based on the time of taking the image by the image pickup unit There are an imaging method which comprises the steps of controlling the photographing of the main image.

According to the present invention, a pre-shot image is captured by the imaging unit according to a direction detection function for detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit and a pre-shot shooting instruction operation during live view display on a computer of an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit. In addition, the pre-shot shooting function that stores the shooting direction detected by the direction detection function when the pre-shot image is shot, and the live view display is stopped after the pre-shot image is shot by the pre -shot shooting function. Te and displays the pre-shot image, the object specifying function for specifying the position of the object on the display the pre-shot image, and the position of the specified object using the object specified functions, stored by the pre-shot photographing function the based on the photographing direction when photographing the pre-shot image, the designated of Subject object direction identification function that identifies the subject direction in which, and the subject direction specified by said object direction identification function, a photographing direction in which the detected by the direction detection function when taking the image by the image pickup unit On the basis of the above, a program for executing a photographing control function for controlling photographing of the main image is executed.

  According to the present invention, there is an advantage that photographing can be performed with a desired composition.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement (marking operation | movement) of the digital camera 1 by this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement (continuous shooting operation | movement) of the digital camera 1 by this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement (extraction operation | movement) of the digital camera 1 by this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement (synthesis | combination & trimming operation | movement) of the digital camera 1 by this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A. Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a digital camera 1 includes an imaging lens 2, a lens driving unit 3, a diaphragm shutter 4, a CCD 5, a TG (Timing Generator) 6, a unit circuit 7, an image processing unit 8, a CPU 11, a DRAM 12, a memory 13, and a flash memory 14. , An image display unit 15, a key input unit 16, a card I / F 17, and a memory card 18.

  The imaging lens 2 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like, and a lens driving unit 3 is connected thereto. The lens driving unit 3 includes a motor for driving the focus lens and the zoom lens constituting the imaging lens 2 in the optical axis direction, a focus motor driver for driving the focus motor and the zoom motor according to a control signal from the CPU 11, and a zoom motor driver. It is configured.

  The diaphragm 4 includes a drive circuit (not shown), and the drive circuit operates the diaphragm 4 in accordance with a control signal sent from the CPU 11. The diaphragm 4 controls the amount of light that enters from the imaging lens 2. The CCD (imaging device) 5 converts the light of the subject projected through the imaging lens 2 and the diaphragm 4 into an electrical signal and outputs it to the unit circuit 7 as an imaging signal. The CCD 5 is driven according to a timing signal having a predetermined frequency generated by the TG 6.

The unit circuit (CDS / AGC / AD) 7 is a CDS (Correlated) which holds the imaging signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling.
Double Sampling) circuit, AGC (Automatic) for automatic gain adjustment of the imaged signal after sampling
(Gain Control) circuit and an A / D converter for converting an analog image pickup signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal. The imaging signal of the CCD 5 is sent to the image processing unit 8 as a digital signal through the unit circuit 7. The unit circuit 7 is driven according to a timing signal having a predetermined frequency generated by the TG 6.

  The image processing unit 8 performs image processing (pixel interpolation processing, γ correction, generation of luminance and color difference signals, white balance processing, exposure correction processing, composition processing, etc.) of the image data sent from the unit circuit 7 and compression of the image data. Processing of decompression (for example, compression / expansion in JPEG format, M-JPEG format, or MPEG format), processing of combining captured images, and the like are performed. The image processing unit 8 is driven according to a timing signal having a predetermined frequency generated by the TG 6.

  The CPU 11 is a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part of the digital camera 1. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the zoom magnification is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the subject direction designation mode is selected, the CPU 11 performs pre-shot shooting that is temporary shooting when the shutter is half-pressed, and the main subject in the pre-shot image. Control, such as continuous shooting of the main shooting when the shutter is fully pressed, image extraction based on the amount of deviation between the shooting direction of the main shooting and the specified subject direction, and composition of the adopted image.

  The DRAM 12 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent to the CPU 11 after being imaged by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 11. The memory 13 stores a program necessary for controlling each part of the digital camera 1 by the CPU 11 and data necessary for controlling each part, and the CPU 11 performs processing according to this program. The flash memory 14 and the memory card 18 are recording media for storing a pre-shot image captured by the CCD 5, a main image, a combined main image, and the like.

  The image display unit 15 includes a color LCD and its driving circuit, and displays the subject imaged by the CCD 5 as a live view image when in an imaging standby state, and when reproducing a recorded image, the flash memory 14 or a memory card. The recorded image read from 18 and expanded is displayed. The key input unit 16 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter SW, a zoom SW, a mode key, a SET key, and a cross key, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's key operation to the CPU 11. A memory card 18 is detachably attached to the card I / F 17 through a card slot (not shown) of the digital camera 1 main body. The gyro sensor 19 detects the direction (shooting direction) of the digital camera 1 during pre-shot shooting and main shooting. Instead of the gyro sensor 19, a triaxial acceleration sensor or the like may be used. The CPU 11 detects the shooting direction during pre-shot shooting or main image shooting from the detection output of the gyro sensor 19.

B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described.
2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. 4A to 4C are conceptual diagrams for explaining the operation (marking operation) of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation (continuous shooting operation) of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation (extraction operation) of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the operation (compositing & trimming operation) of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the power is turned on and the photographing mode is set, as shown in FIG. 4A, live view display is started in which an image captured from the CCD 5 is displayed in real time on the image display unit 15 (step S10). Then, it is determined whether or not the shutter is half-pressed in the live view display (step S12). If the shutter button is not pressed halfway (NO in step S12), step S12 is repeated to continue the live view display. On the other hand, when the shutter button is half-pressed (YES in step S12), it is determined whether or not the zoom magnification is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S14). If the zoom magnification is not above the predetermined value (NO in step S14), the influence of camera shake is small, and the process proceeds to normal shooting processing (step S18).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, if the zoom magnification is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (YES in step S14), it is determined whether or not the subject direction designation mode is set (step S16). The subject direction designation mode is a mode for designating the position of the subject at the shooting angle of view (positional relationship between the subject and the background: composition). If it is not the subject direction designation mode (NO in step S16), the process proceeds to a normal photographing process (step S18).

  On the other hand, if the subject direction designation mode is selected (YES in step S16), pre-shot (low resolution) shooting is executed (step S20), and the shooting direction (camera direction) is determined from the output of the gyro sensor 19 during the pre-shot shooting. Is detected and stored (step S22). The detected shooting direction (camera direction) may be an absolute azimuth or a relative direction. In other words, since it is only necessary to know the angle difference between the shooting direction at the time of pre-shot shooting and the shooting direction at the time of the main shooting performed thereafter, the shooting direction at the time of pre-shot shooting is used as a reference (stored as an angle of 0 °), Based on the gyro sensor 19 or the triaxial acceleration sensor, the deviation angle from the reference may be always grasped. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the live view display is stopped, and the pre-shot image is displayed on the image display unit 15 (step S24).

  The user confirms the pre-shot image displayed on the image display unit 15 and touches the main subject. The main subject refers to a person who is important to a user who takes a picture, or a person who is paying attention, or a building or a landscape. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the user designates a person from the pre-shot image as a main subject (marker M: black circle). At this time, the main subject does not need to be located at the center of the pro-shot image (view angle), but may be within the view angle.

  In the digital camera 1, it is determined whether or not a position designation operation has been performed on the pre-shot image (step S26). If there is no position designation operation (NO in step S26), the process returns to step S10 and the live view display is continued. That is, the user can take a pre-shot image again until a desired subject is captured in the pre-shot image.

  On the other hand, if there is a position designation operation (YES in step S26), the amount of deviation from the center C of the pre-shot image (double circle in FIGS. 4A to 4C) to the marker M at the designated position is calculated. Based on the current zoom magnification, it is converted into a displacement amount (such as a displacement angle) in the direction (step S28).

  Next, in step S22, the subject direction is specified by adding the converted shift amount to the stored shooting direction at the time of pre-shot shooting (step S30), and the live view display is restarted (step S32). . Next, it is determined whether or not the shutter is fully pressed (step S34), and the live view display is continued until the shutter is fully pressed (NO in step S34). On the other hand, when the shutter is fully pressed (YES in step S34), the main photographing for capturing the picked-up image with high resolution (set resolution) from the CCD 5 is executed (step S36).

  The CPU 11 detects the shooting direction (camera direction) at the time of actual shooting from the output of the gyro sensor 19 (step S38), and the deviation amount between the detected shooting direction and the subject direction (marker M) is within a predetermined range. Whether or not (step S40). The detection of the shooting direction (camera direction) during the main shooting may be an absolute direction as described above, but may be a relative direction. That is, when the shooting direction at the time of pre-shot shooting is used as a reference (when stored as an angle of 0 °), the reference is continuously integrated based on detection information from the subsequent gyro sensor 19 and the triaxial acceleration sensor. The shift amount (shift angle) may be the shooting direction at the time of actual shooting. If the deviation between the detected shooting direction and the subject direction (marker M) is within a predetermined range (YES in step S40), the image obtained in the main shooting is employed as the main image (step S42). .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the adopted main image is the second or later image (step S44). If it is not the second image or later (NO in step S44), the full press of the shutter is released (released). It is determined whether or not (step S50). If the full press of the shutter is not released, that is, if the full press of the shutter is continued (NO in step S50), the process returns to step S36 to execute the next main photographing.

  On the other hand, if the detected shift amount between the shooting direction and the subject direction (marker M) is not within a predetermined range, that is, if the shift amount between the shooting direction and the subject direction (marker M) is greatly shifted (in step S40). NO), the image obtained by the actual photographing is discarded (step S48), and it is determined whether or not the shutter is fully released (released) (step S50). If the full press of the shutter is not released, that is, if the full press of the shutter is continued (NO in step S50), the process returns to step S36 to execute the next main photographing.

  If the adopted main image is the second or subsequent image (YES in step S44), the position is combined with another adopted main image (step S46). The shift amount in this alignment is calculated by performing a process opposite to that performed in step S28 on the difference in shift amount (shift angle) from the reference at the time of shooting each main image. Next, it is determined whether or not the full press of the shutter has been released (released) (step S50). If the full press of the shutter is not released, that is, if the full press of the shutter is continued (NO in step S50), the process returns to step S36 to execute the next main photographing.

As described above, when the shutter is fully pressed, a plurality of images IMG01 to IMG06 are taken at predetermined time intervals, for example, by a series of processes in steps S36 to S50 as shown in FIG. If the amount of deviation between the shooting direction and the subject direction (marker M) is greatly deviated, the image is discarded, and an image with a deviation amount within a predetermined range is adopted as the main image. In the illustrated example, the main images IMG03 and IMG04 are discarded, and the main images IMG01, IM02, IMG05, and IMG06 are adopted as the main images. The adopted master images IMG01, IM02, IMG05, and IMG06 are shown in FIG.
Note that the threshold value of the deviation amount for determining whether to discard the image may be arbitrarily set by the user. Alternatively, the value may be set beyond the shooting range.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the images are sequentially combined with other adopted main images while performing image alignment. That is, the adopted main images IMG01, IM02, IMG05, and IMG06 shown in FIG. 6 are synthesized by matching the positions of the captured images. Finally, by trimming at a predetermined size so that the position of the designated mark M is at the center of the view angle, as shown in FIG. 7B, the center of the view angle is not affected by camera shake. Finally, a main image IMG having a composition in which the mark M is located at the center, that is, a composition in which the main subject is located in the center is obtained. In the present embodiment, the synthesized image is recorded after being trimmed, but may be recorded without being trimmed. Further, although the adopted main image is synthesized to finally create one main image IMG, the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the adopted main images may be recorded.

  According to the above-described embodiment, even when shooting at a high magnification where it is difficult to capture the subject at the center of the shooting angle of view due to camera shake, it is possible to obtain a desired at least toward the end of the shooting angle of view by pre-shot shooting. If the subject is captured, it is possible to specify the subject position slowly and accurately on the reproduced pre-shot image, and to perform photographing processing using this accurate subject direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any electronic device having an imaging function can be applied to a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and the like.

As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, The invention described in the claim, and its equal range are included.
Below, the invention described in the claims of the present application is appended.

(Appendix 1)
The invention described in Appendix 1 includes imaging means;
A direction detection unit that detects a shooting direction by the imaging unit, and a pre-shot image is shot by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation, and is detected by the direction detection unit when the pre-shot image is shot. A pre-shot photographing means for storing a photographing direction to be recorded, a pre-shot image photographed by the pre-shot photographing means, a subject designation means for designating a subject to be photographed on the displayed pre-shot image, Based on the position of the subject to be photographed designated by the subject designation means and the photographing direction when the pre-shot image stored by the pre-shot photographing means is photographed, the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is determined. Subject direction specifying means to be specified, and the shooting direction specified by the subject direction specifying means. A photographing control means for controlling photographing of the main image based on a subject direction in which the subject is present and a photographing direction detected by the direction detecting means when photographing the main image by the imaging means. It is the imaging device characterized.

(Appendix 2)
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the subject direction specifying unit designates the position of the subject to be photographed by the subject designation unit, the deviation amount from the center of the pre-shot image to the designated subject to be photographed. The imaging apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein a subject direction in which the subject to be photographed is specified based on a photographing direction when the pre-shot image is photographed.

(Appendix 3)
The invention according to attachment 3 is characterized in that the pre-shot photographing means enables re-taking of the pre-shot image until the subject to be photographed is captured in the pre-shot image. It is an imaging device of description.

(Appendix 4)
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the subject to be photographed is designated on the pre-shot image photographed by the imaging means, the subject direction specifying means captures the designated photographing from the center of the pre-shot image. Based on the zoom magnification when the pre-shot image is captured by the imaging unit, the shift amount to the subject should be converted into a shift amount in the shooting direction, and the shooting direction when the pre-shot image is captured by the imaging unit The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein a subject direction in which the subject to be photographed is specified is determined based on the amount of deviation in the photographing direction.

(Appendix 5)
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the photographing control unit is configured to determine whether the subject to be photographed identified by the subject direction identifying unit is based on a subject direction and a photographing direction detected by the direction detecting unit. The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the imaging process for a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit is controlled.

(Appendix 6)
In the invention according to appendix 6, the photographing control unit is configured to display the main image by the imaging unit detected by the direction detecting unit and the direction of the subject to be photographed specified by the subject direction specifying unit. Whether to use a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit is determined based on whether or not a deviation amount from a shooting direction when shooting is within a predetermined range. The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

(Appendix 7)
In the invention according to appendix 7, the photographing control unit is configured to display the main image by the imaging unit detected by the direction detection unit and the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is specified by the subject direction specifying unit. Whether or not to record a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit is determined based on whether or not a deviation amount from a shooting direction when shooting is within a predetermined range. The imaging apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

(Appendix 8)
In the invention according to appendix 8, the photographing control unit is configured to display the main image by the imaging unit detected by the direction detecting unit and the direction of the subject to be photographed specified by the subject direction specifying unit. Determining whether or not to use a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging means for synthesis based on whether or not a deviation amount from a shooting direction when shooting is within a predetermined range. The imaging apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4.

(Appendix 9)
The invention according to attachment 9 includes a step of detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit, a step of shooting a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation, and a step of shooting the pre-shot image A step of storing a shooting direction; a step of displaying the shot pre-shot image; designating a subject to be shot on the displayed pre-shot image; and the specified shooting on the pre-shot image The step of identifying the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is based on the position of the subject and the photographing direction when the stored pre-shot image is photographed, and the identified subject to be photographed is Based on a certain subject direction and a shooting direction when the main image is shot by the imaging unit, the shooting of the main image is controlled. Is an imaging method which comprises the steps.

(Appendix 10)
The invention according to appendix 10 captures a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a direction detection function for detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit and a pre-shot shooting instruction operation on a computer of an imaging apparatus including the imaging unit. A pre-shot shooting function for storing the shooting direction detected by the direction detection function when the pre-shot image is shot, and a pre-shot image shot by the pre-shot shooting function are displayed, and the displayed pre-shot is displayed. A subject designation function for designating a subject to be photographed on the image, a position of the subject to be photographed designated by the subject designation function, and a photographing direction when photographing the pre-shot image stored by the pre-shot photographing function Based on the subject direction specifying device for specifying the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is located The main image based on the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is specified by the subject direction specifying function and the photographing direction detected by the direction detecting function when the main image is photographed by the imaging unit. This program executes a shooting control function for controlling the shooting of the image.

1 Digital Camera 2 Imaging Lens 3 Lens Drive 4 Shutter / Shutter 5 CCD
6 TG
7 Unit Circuit 8 Image Processing Unit 11 CPU
12 DRAM
13 Memory 14 Flash memory 15 Image display section 16 Key input section 17 Card I / F
18 Memory card 19 Gyro sensor

Claims (10)

Imaging means;
Direction detection means for detecting a shooting direction by the imaging means;
A pre-shot that captures a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation during live view display, and stores a shooting direction detected by the direction detection unit when the pre-shot image is captured. Photographing means;
After the pre -shot image is taken by the pre -shot photographing means , the live view display is stopped and the pre-shot image is displayed, and the subject designating means for designating the position of the subject on the displayed pre-shot image;
The position of the object said specified by the object specifying means, on the basis on the shooting direction when it captured the Preshot image stored by the pre-shot photographing means, subject direction identification that identifies the subject direction in which the object Means,
Wherein said object direction identified by the object direction specifying means, based on the photographing direction detected by the direction detecting means when taking the image by the imaging means, the imaging control for controlling the photographing of the main image An imaging device comprising: means. The subject direction specifying means includes
When the position of the object is specified by the object specifying means, said the shift amount to the subject that has been specified from the center of the pre-shot image, based on the photographing direction when shooting the pre shot image, the designated The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a subject direction in which the subject is present is specified. The pre-shot photographing means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-shot image can be retaken until the subject to be photographed is captured in the pre-shot image. The subject direction specifying means includes
When a subject to be photographed is designated on a pre-shot image photographed by the imaging means, a deviation amount from the center of the pre-shot image to the designated subject to be photographed is determined by the imaging means. Based on the zoom magnification at the time of shooting, and converted to the amount of deviation in the shooting direction, and based on the shooting direction and the amount of deviation in the shooting direction when the pre-shot image was taken by the imaging means The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a subject direction in which the subject is located is specified. The photographing control means includes
Shooting with respect to a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit based on the subject direction where the subject to be photographed is specified by the subject direction specifying unit and the shooting direction detected by the direction detecting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is controlled. The photographing control means includes
The deviation amount between the subject direction in which the subject to be photographed specified by the subject direction specifying unit is present and the photographing direction when the main image is photographed by the imaging unit detected by the direction detecting unit is within a predetermined range. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to use a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit is determined based on whether or not the image is present. The photographing control means includes
The deviation amount between the subject direction in which the subject to be photographed specified by the subject direction specifying unit is present and the photographing direction when the main image is photographed by the imaging unit detected by the direction detecting unit is within a predetermined range. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to record a plurality of main images continuously shot by the image pickup unit is determined based on whether or not the image pickup means is present. The photographing control means includes
The deviation amount between the subject direction in which the subject to be photographed specified by the subject direction specifying unit is present and the photographing direction when the main image is photographed by the imaging unit detected by the direction detecting unit is within a predetermined range. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not a plurality of main images continuously shot by the imaging unit is used for synthesis is determined based on whether or not the image is present. . Detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit;
Shooting a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation during live view display ;
Storing a shooting direction when shooting the pre-shot image;
Stopping live view display after the pre-shot image has been captured, displaying the pre-shot image, and specifying the position of the subject on the displayed pre-shot image;
Identifying the subject direction in which the designated subject is located based on the position of the designated subject on the pre-shot image and the photographing direction when the stored pre-shot image is photographed;
Wherein the identified the subject direction, based on the imaging direction of when taking the image by the imaging unit, an imaging method which comprises the steps of controlling the photographing of the main image. In the computer of the imaging device provided with the imaging unit,
A direction detection function for detecting a shooting direction by the imaging unit;
A pre-shot that captures a pre-shot image by the imaging unit in response to a pre-shot shooting instruction operation during live view display, and that stores a shooting direction detected by the direction detection function when the pre-shot image is captured. Shooting function,
A subject designation function for stopping live view display after the pre-shot image is photographed by the pre -shot photographing function and displaying the pre-shot image, and designating the position of the subject on the displayed pre-shot image;
Based on the position of the subject designated by the subject designation function and the photographing direction when the pre-shot image stored by the pre-shot photographing function is photographed, the subject direction where the designated subject is located is specified. Subject direction identification function,
Wherein said object direction identified by the object direction identification function, based on the photographing direction detected by the direction detecting function when taking the image by the imaging unit, imaging control for controlling the photographing of the main image A program characterized by executing a function.

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