JPH09189851A - Device and method for picking up image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device constituted so that a large blurring state and an inproper exposure state occurring when a fetching area is inadvertently continuously moved because AF and AE actions are inhibited when the fetching area is moved and the AF and the AE actions are not executed forever are evaded. SOLUTION: A camcorder is provided with a line-of-sight detection circuit 123, a microcomputer 123, an AF evaluation value processing circuit 122 and a focus compensation lens driver 126. Then, line-of-sight detection coordinates (X and Y) are fetched from the detection circuit 123 and it is discriminated whether present line-of-sight detection positions (X and Y) are equal to last line-of-sight detection positions (X1 and Y1) or not. When they are equal, the normal AF action is executed. When they are not equal, it is discriminated whether a large blurring of a picture is caused or not. In the case that a large blurring is caused, the normal AF action is executed. In the case that a large blurring is not caused, a focusing motor is stopped. Thus, since the AF action is executed in the case of a large blurring even while the fetching area is moved, the blurring of the picture is not kept as it is even when the fetching area is continuously moved by a photographer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus which designates a region into which a video signal is captured and which adjusts focus and exposure of the designated region.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of consumer image pickup devices such as video-integrated cameras, various measures have been taken in order to easily obtain higher quality images. In recent years, standard autofocus (A
F) and automatic exposure adjustment (AE) eliminate the inconvenience of adjusting the focus and exposure each time a picture is taken, and are just examples of functions that serve the purpose of easily obtaining a good image. I can say.

By the way, the AF or AE is a mechanism for an image pickup device such as a camera to judge the shooting condition "arbitrarily" and adjust the lens position and the diaphragm to a state suitable for the situation. It also occurs when the intention of shooting is not reflected in the image. For example, when a distant subject and a near subject coexist in the imaging screen, performing an AF operation on the information of the entire imaging screen will focus on one of the plurality of subjects. However, it is impossible for the image pickup device to judge whether or not it is the main subject to be focused on.

Similarly, when a main subject is photographed against a bright sky, if the AE operation is executed based on the information on the entire screen, the aperture is adjusted according to the brightness of the sky, and the main subject is blackened. Will result.

In order to avoid such a situation as much as possible, it is general to take a method of focusing and measuring light on an object in the center of the image pickup screen and executing AF and AE based on the result. Is. This is based on the fact that the photographer often places the main subject in the center of the screen when photographing. Then, this method has a problem that when the main subject is placed in a place other than the center of the screen, the focus and the exposure may not be appropriately adjusted with respect to the main subject.

To address this problem, the applicant of the present application selects the main subject with his line of sight so that the photographer looking at the viewfinder can obtain the optimum focus and exposure regardless of where the main subject is in the image pickup screen. An image pickup device that can be used is proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-154165). According to this photographing apparatus, the position of the main subject can be freely changed while limiting the distance measurement and photometry areas.

In this case, the photographing device detects the line-of-sight position of the photographer, and immediately moves the distance-measuring and photometric regions corresponding to the detected positions to perform optimum focusing and exposure on the region. At this time, regardless of the photographer's intention, the distance measuring and photometric regions may momentarily move to other than the subject intended by the photographer. Distance measurement and photometry data may change due to movement of the distance measurement and photometry areas, and if AF or AE is performed accordingly, it may appear to be malfunctioning. Therefore, AF and AE are not executed during the distance measurement and movement of the photometry area.

[0008] As described above, conventionally, when changing the capture area of the AF and AE information, the AE and AF are prohibited.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned conventional examples have the following problems, and improvements thereof have been demanded. That is, in the AF operation, when the subject distance changes significantly, the screen is greatly blurred and becomes pure white. Then, the photographer tries to find the subject, and the line of sight continuously moves in the screen, and the AF does not operate during that time, so that the blurring state continues all the time.

Further, in the AE operation, since the AE operation is not performed during the movement of the capturing area, a remarkably inappropriate exposure state continues.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the AF and AE are prohibited when the capturing area moves, the capturing area continues to move carelessly, and the AF and AE operations are not performed forever, resulting in large blurring and improper exposure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that avoids

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup device according to claim 1 of the present invention divides the captured image into a plurality of areas, and a display means for displaying the captured image. Based on the generated state signal; dividing means; capturing means for capturing the video signal in the divided area; generating means for generating a state signal indicating a focus state from the captured video signal; Focus adjusting means for performing focus adjustment, changing means for changing the area into which the video signal is captured, input means for specifying the changed area, and the focus adjustment while the changing means is changing the area. An image pickup apparatus including a prohibiting unit that prohibits the focus adjustment, and a determining unit that determines a focus degree of the image, and a focus by the prohibiting unit according to the determined focus degree. Prohibition of adjustment Characterized by comprising a releasing means for releasing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device, wherein display means for displaying a captured image, dividing means for dividing the captured image into a plurality of areas, and capturing means for capturing a video signal in the divided areas. Means, generating means for generating a status signal representing an exposure state from the captured video signal, exposure adjusting means for performing exposure adjustment based on the generated status signal, and changing an area in which the video signal is captured. Image pickup including a changing unit that specifies the area to be changed, and a prohibiting unit that prohibits the exposure adjusting unit from performing the exposure adjustment while the changing unit is changing the area. The apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with a determination unit that determines the exposure state of the image, and a release unit that releases the prohibition of the exposure adjustment by the prohibition unit according to the determined exposure state.

An image pickup method according to a third aspect of the present invention displays a captured image, divides the captured image into a plurality of areas, captures a video signal in the divided area, and extracts the captured video signal from the captured video signal. A state signal representing a focused state is generated, focus adjustment is performed based on the generated state signal,
In an imaging method of changing an area in which the video signal is captured to a designated area and prohibiting the focus adjustment while changing the area, a focus degree of the video is determined, and the determination is performed. It is characterized in that the prohibition of the focus adjustment is released according to the degree of focus thus obtained.

An image pickup method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention displays a captured image, divides the captured image into a plurality of areas, captures a video signal in the divided area, and extracts the captured video signal from the captured video signal. A state signal representing the exposure state is generated, and exposure adjustment is performed based on the generated state signal,
In a photographing method of changing an area in which the video signal is captured to a designated area and prohibiting the exposure adjustment while changing the area, the exposure state of the video is determined, and the determination is made. It is characterized in that the prohibition of the exposure adjustment is released according to the exposed state.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an image pickup apparatus of the present invention will be described. The image pickup apparatus in this embodiment is applied to a video integrated camera. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a video-integrated camera according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 101 is an eyeball looking through the viewfinder of the video-integrated camera. Reference numeral 102 denotes an infrared light emitting diode (IRED) that irradiates the eyeball 101 with infrared rays in order to detect the line-of-sight position of the eyeball 101.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a sensor for receiving infrared rays from the infrared light emitting diode 102 reflected by the eyeball 101, and 104.
Is a driver for driving the infrared light emitting diode 102, 12
Reference numeral 5 is a driver for driving the sensor 103, 105 is an amplifier, and 106 is an eyeball 10 according to an output signal of the amplifier 105.
2 is a visual axis detection circuit that analyzes the visual axis position of No. 1.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a subject, 108 a fixed first lens group, 109 a variable power lens, 110 a diaphragm, 111 a fixed third lens group, 112 a focus adjustment and a focus plane movement correction function at the time of zooming. It is a combined focus competition lens.

Reference numeral 113 is an image sensor, 114 is an amplifier, 11
Reference numeral 5 is a camera signal processing block that processes the output signal of the amplifier 114 to form a television signal, 116 is an amplifier, 117 is an LCD display circuit that drives a liquid crystal monitor LCD in the finder, and 118 is a finder to display a captured image. It is an LCD monitor. Reference numeral 119 denotes an aperture control circuit for adjusting the aperture 110 from the output signal of the amplifier 114 to appropriately maintain the image pickup light amount, and includes a gate circuit for sampling only a predetermined portion of the video signal set by the frame generation circuit 124.

Reference numeral 120 is an IG meter drive circuit, and 121 is an IG meter for driving the diaphragm. 122 is an amplifier 11
4 is an AF evaluation value processing circuit for generating a signal for focus evaluation from the output signal of No. 4, and includes a gate circuit and a filter for sampling only a predetermined portion of the video signal set by the amplifier 124. A microcomputer 123 executes focus adjustment based on an output signal of the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122, focus correction during zooming, control of an aperture control circuit, and control of a capture frame.

Reference numeral 124 denotes a frame for defining a capture area for capturing the image information of the image pickup screen by the aperture control circuit 119 or the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122, and outputting a gate signal to the aperture control circuit 119 or the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122. A generation circuit, which also outputs a display signal for displaying the captured area to the LCD display circuit 117.

In the LCD display circuit 117, the frame generation circuit 1
The display signal from 24 is overlapped with the video signal from the amplifier 116 and output to the liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 118. 126
Is a focus motor drive circuit, 127 is a motor for driving the focus lens, 128 is a variable power lens drive circuit, 1
Reference numeral 29 is a motor for driving the variable power lens.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the line-of-sight detection unit. In the figure, the IRED driver 104 drives the IRED 102 by a control signal from the visual line detection circuit 106. The infrared light emitted from the IRED 102 is reflected by the eyeball 101, and the reflected infrared light reflects only the infrared light through the eyepiece 201. The dichroic mirror 20.
Leads to 2. Imaging lens 2 with dichroic mirror 202
The reflected infrared light whose optical path is changed toward 03 reaches the image sensor 103 via the imaging lens 203.

Reference numeral 125 denotes a circuit for driving a CCD as an image sensor. The infrared light reflected by the eyeball 101 is converted into an electric signal through the image sensor 103, and reaches the sight line detection circuit 106 again through the amplifier 105.

The eyeball 101 directs its line of sight to the liquid crystal monitor 118 which displays the image pickup screen, and the line of sight detection section can detect where the liquid crystal monitor 118 is looking. The line-of-sight detection circuit 106 detects the line-of-sight position coordinates from the output signal of the amplifier 105. Then, the detected line-of-sight position coordinate information is sent from the line-of-sight detection circuit 106 to the microcomputer 1
23 is transmitted.

The video-integrated camera having the above structure is
As the AF method, the TVAF method, that is, the high frequency component of the image pickup signal is taken out by the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122, and the microcomputer 123 causes the focus compensating lens driver 126 and the focus compensating lens motor 127 to maximize the high frequency component level. A focusing method of moving the focus competition lens 112 parallel to the optical axis is adopted.

In this AF method, since the high frequency component contained in the video signal is detected, the AF evaluation value processing circuit 1
The video signal to be captured by 22 must include an edge portion (level change portion). That is, at least 1
Although a video signal for a horizontal scanning line must be used, a capture area having a predetermined area is required for practical use.

On the other hand, in the AE system, the aperture 110 is set so that the integrated value of the brightness level of the image pickup signal becomes a constant target value.
Is opened and closed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion for performing gate processing for taking in a video signal. First, the gate timing generation circuit 309 inside the frame generation circuit 124
The microcomputer 123 transmits information about the size and position of the capture area. Gate timing generation circuit 30
Reference numeral 9 is a frame signal generation circuit 3 for transmitting a frame signal for displaying the capture area to the LCD display circuit 117 based on this information.
06, a gate timing signal is output to an AF gate pulse generation circuit 307 that generates a gate pulse corresponding to the AF capture area and an AE gate pulse generation circuit 308 that generates a gate pulse corresponding to the AE capture area.

The AF evaluation value processing circuit 122 basically includes a gate circuit 301 and a bandpass filter (BPF) 302.
And the detection circuit 303, and the image pickup signal is output from the amplifier 114 to B only while the gate circuit 301 is closed by the output signal of the AF gate pulse generation circuit 307.
It is supplied to the PF 302. The diaphragm control circuit 119 is basically composed of a gate circuit 304 and a diaphragm control circuit 305. The image pickup signal is controlled by the amplifier 114 from the amplifier 114 only while the gate circuit 304 is closed by the output signal of the AE gate pulse generation circuit 308. It is supplied to the circuit 305.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the AF evaluation value fetch area. FIG. 1B shows a conventional AF evaluation value acquisition area. Reference numeral 401 is an imaging screen, and 404 is an AF evaluation value acquisition area. The photographer often has an opportunity to place a subject (main subject) to be photographed at the center of the screen.
Further, in order to make it difficult to be influenced by another subject when the main subject is photographed, the capture area is generally narrower than the entire photographing screen. For this reason, the AF evaluation value acquisition area 404 is fixed at the position indicated by the dotted line.

However, the photographer does not always fix the main subject at the center of the screen for photographing, and in order to photograph the main subject that is not at the center of the screen, the AF evaluation value acquisition area 4 is used.
04 must be moved on the shooting screen. Therefore, based on the line-of-sight position coordinate information transmitted from the line-of-sight detection circuit 106 to the microcomputer 123, the microcomputer 123 sends an AF to the frame generation circuit 124 in order to move the AF evaluation value acquisition area 404 to the position viewed by the photographer. The position coordinates of the evaluation value acquisition area 404 are transmitted.

In the frame generation circuit 124, in order to move the AF evaluation value fetch area 404 to the designated position, the AF
In order to operate the opening / closing timing of the gate circuit in the evaluation value processing circuit 122 and to display the portion corresponding to the AF evaluation value capturing area 404 on the LCD 118, a display signal indicating the capturing area corresponding portion is sent to the LCD display circuit 117. L
The CD display circuit 117 superimposes the image pickup signal from the amplifier 116 and the display signal from the frame generation circuit 124 on the LCD 1.
A video signal is sent to 18. FIG. 11A shows a video image displayed on the LCD 118. Reference numeral 403 is the current position of the viewpoint of the photographer. Capture area 402 centered on this position
Is set, the gate circuit of the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122 is operated from the microcomputer 123 via the frame generation circuit 124, and the area is displayed by the frame 402. Next, for example, if the photographer moves the viewpoint to the position indicated by reference numeral 405,
By the same method, a capture area centering on the reference numeral 405 is set, and the frame display is moved.

With such a method, it is possible to focus on the subject viewed by the photographer. In this case, not only the focus but also the exposure adjustment is appropriately adjusted for the subject viewed by the photographer. Is preferable. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the frame generation circuit 124 also transmits a signal for setting the capture area to the aperture control circuit 119. As a result, it is possible to move the photometric information capturing area to the position viewed by the photographer and adjust the exposure based on the photometric information of that portion for both AE and AE.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a photographed image. In the figure, 501 is an imaging screen, and 502 is a subject. Reference numerals 503 and 504 are areas for capturing AF and AE information. For example, it is assumed that the photographer is looking at the subject 502 and the capture area is at 503. Here, if the photographer continues to look at the subject 502 and the line of sight moves and moves to the capturing area 504, the AF operation is performed due to a change in the evaluation value that has moved from the capturing area 503 to the capturing area 504 at this time. If this is done, the AF will malfunction. Therefore, if the capture area moved and was not stopped, the AF operation was stopped.However, if the focus is out of focus and the photographer constantly keeps moving his or her line of sight in order to search for the subject, AF will not operate. There is a case that it becomes blurred. Therefore, when the inside of the frame is greatly blurred, the AF is activated.

FIG. 6 is a visual axis detection circuit 1 for analyzing the visual axis position.
9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the microcomputer 123 changes the capture area based on the output of 06 and at the same time prohibits or cancels the AF operation. The visual axis detection coordinates (X, Y) are fetched from the visual axis detection circuit 106 (step S601). The center coordinates (X, Y) of the capture area and the width of the capture area are sent to the frame generation circuit 124 (step S
602).

The frame generation circuit 124 generates a capture timing signal, the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122 captures a distance measurement signal, and the aperture control circuit 119 captures a photometric signal.
The capture area is displayed on the LCD 118.

It is determined whether or not the current visual axis detection position (X, Y) and the previous visual axis detection position (X1, Y1) are equal (step S603). If they are equal, a normal AF operation is performed (step S606). As described above, the high-frequency component of the image pickup signal is taken out by the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122, and the microcomputer 123 uses the focus compensating lens driver 126 and the focus compensating lens motor 127 to perform focusing so that the high-frequency component level becomes maximum. This is a focusing method in which the compensating lens 112 is moved in parallel with the optical axis.

On the other hand, if the current visual axis detection position (X, Y) and the previous visual axis detection position (X1, Y1) are not equal,
It is determined whether or not the blur is large (step S604).
This determination is performed by checking whether the AF evaluation value is extremely small. If the blur is large, the normal AF operation is performed, but if the blur is not large, the focus motor 605 is stopped.

The current acquisition position (X, Y) is set to the position (X
1, Y1) (step S607). As a result, since the AF operation is performed even when the capture area is moving and during the large blur, the screen does not remain large blur even if the photographer constantly moves the capture area. [Second Embodiment] The mechanical and electrical configuration of the video-integrated camera in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the microcomputer 123 changes the capturing area and simultaneously prohibits or cancels the AE operation based on the output of the visual axis detection circuit 106 which analyzes the visual axis position.

The line-of-sight detection coordinates (X, Y) are fetched from the line-of-sight detection circuit 106 (step S701). The center coordinates (X, Y) of the capture area and the width of the capture area are sent to the frame generation circuit 124 (step S702). Frame generation circuit 12
In 4, the capture timing signal is generated, the AF evaluation value processing circuit 122 captures the distance measurement signal, the aperture control circuit 119 captures the photometric signal, and the LCD 118 displays the capture area.

It is determined whether or not the current visual axis detection position (X, Y) and the previous visual axis detection position (X1, Y1) are equal (step S703). If they are equal to each other, AE control is performed so that the imaging light amount is appropriately maintained (step S706). If they are not equal, the AE evaluation value and the target value are compared to determine whether the exposure is remarkably inappropriate (step S707).

If the exposure is extremely inappropriate, AE control is performed (step S706). On the other hand, if the exposure is not extremely inappropriate, the aperture control is stopped (step S70).
5).

The current acquisition position (X, Y) is set to the position (X
1, Y1) (step S707). As a result, even if the capture area is moving, A
Since the E operation is performed, even if the photographer constantly moves the capture area, the screen is no longer left with inappropriate exposure.

[0045]

According to the imaging device of the first aspect of the present invention, the captured image is displayed by the display means, the captured image is divided into a plurality of regions by the dividing means, and the divided image is divided by the capturing means. Capture the video signal in the specified area,
A state signal indicating a focus state is generated from the captured image signal by the generation unit, focus adjustment is performed based on the generated state signal by the focus adjustment unit, and a region in which the image signal is captured is changed by the change unit. When the change is made, the area to be changed is designated by the input means, and the prohibiting means prohibits the focus adjusting means from performing the focus adjustment while the changing means is changing the area. The degree of focus of the image is discriminated, and the prohibition of the focus adjustment by the prohibition means is canceled by the canceling means according to the determined degree of focus. By doing so, even if the photographer constantly moves the capture area, it is possible to avoid that the AF operation is not performed and the image remains blurred.

According to the image pickup device of the second aspect, the display means for displaying the captured video, the dividing means for dividing the captured video into a plurality of areas, and the video signal in the divided areas are captured. Capture means, generating means for generating a status signal indicating an exposure state from the captured video signal, exposure adjusting means for performing exposure adjustment based on the generated status signal, and a region where the video signal is captured. Change means for changing the area, input means for designating the area to be changed, and prohibiting means for prohibiting the exposure adjusting means from performing the exposure adjustment while the changing means is changing the area. In the image pickup device, since the image pickup device is provided with a determination unit that determines the exposure state of the image and a release unit that releases the prohibition of the exposure adjustment by the prohibition unit according to the determined exposure state, Region be moved continually uptake area photographer by which to perform the AE operation when significantly exposed state on the move is not appropriate, can be avoided AE operation remains improper exposure is not performed.

According to the imaging method of the third aspect, the captured image is displayed, the captured image is divided into a plurality of areas, the image signal in the divided area is captured, and the captured image is captured. A state signal indicating a focused state is generated from the signal, focus adjustment is performed based on the generated state signal, an area in which the video signal is captured is changed to a designated area, and the area is changed. In the imaging method for prohibiting performing the focus adjustment in the meantime, the focus degree of the image is determined, and the prohibition of the focus adjustment is released according to the determined focus degree, so that the capture area moves. In particular, by performing the AF operation during a large blur, it is possible to avoid that even if the photographer constantly moves the capture area, the AF operation is not performed and the image remains blurred.

According to the imaging method of claim 4, the captured image is displayed, the captured image is divided into a plurality of regions, the image signal in the divided regions is captured, and the captured image is captured. A state signal representing an exposure state is generated from the signal, exposure adjustment is performed based on the generated state signal, the area in which the video signal is captured is changed to a designated area, and while the area is being changed. In the shooting method that prohibits the exposure adjustment, the exposure state of the image is determined, and the prohibition of the exposure adjustment is released according to the determined exposure state. By performing the AE operation when the condition is not proper, it is possible to avoid that the AE operation is not performed and the exposure is unsuitable even if the photographer constantly moves the capture area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video-integrated camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a line-of-sight detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion that performs a gate process for capturing a video signal.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an AF evaluation value capturing area.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a captured image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the microcomputer 123 changes the capturing area and at the same time prohibits or cancels the AF operation based on the output of the visual axis detection circuit for analyzing the visual axis position.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the microcomputer 123 changes the capturing area and at the same time prohibits or cancels the AE operation based on the output of the visual axis detection circuit for analyzing the visual axis position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Eyeball 106 Line of Sight Detection Circuit 117 LCD Display Circuit 118 LCD 119 Aperture Control Circuit 122 AF Evaluation Value Processing Circuit 123 Microcomputer 124 Frame Generation Circuit 126 Focus Compensation Lens Driver

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Display means for displaying the captured image, dividing means for dividing the captured image into a plurality of areas, capturing means for capturing a video signal in the divided area, and the captured signal. Generating means for generating a state signal representing a focused state from the image signal; focus adjusting means for performing focus adjustment based on the generated state signal; changing means for changing an area in which the image signal is captured; An image pickup apparatus comprising: input means for designating an area to be changed; and prohibiting means for prohibiting the focus adjusting means from performing the focus adjustment while the changing means is changing the area, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines a focus degree; and a release unit that releases the prohibition of the focus adjustment by the prohibition unit according to the determined focus degree. 2. Display means for displaying the captured image, dividing means for dividing the captured image into a plurality of areas, capturing means for capturing a video signal in the divided area, and the captured signal. Generating means for generating a state signal representing an exposure state from a video signal, exposure adjusting means for performing exposure adjustment based on the generated state signal, changing means for changing a region in which the video signal is taken in, and the changing And a prohibition unit that prohibits the exposure adjustment unit from performing the exposure adjustment while the changing unit is changing the region. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines a state, and a release unit that releases the prohibition of the exposure adjustment by the prohibition unit according to the determined exposure state. 3. A status signal which displays a captured video, divides the captured video into a plurality of areas, captures a video signal in the partitioned area, and indicates a focus state from the captured video signal. And performing focus adjustment based on the generated state signal, changing an area in which the video signal is captured to a designated area, and performing the focus adjustment while changing the area. In the prohibited imaging method, the degree of focus of the image is determined, and the prohibition of the focus adjustment is released according to the determined degree of focus. 4. A captured image is displayed, the captured image is divided into a plurality of areas, a video signal in the divided area is captured, and a status signal indicating an exposure state is acquired from the captured video signal. Generate, adjust the exposure based on the generated status signal, change the area into which the video signal is taken into a designated area, and prohibit the exposure adjustment while changing the area In the photographing method described above, the exposure state of the image is determined, and the prohibition of the exposure adjustment is released according to the determined exposure state.