GB2158266A

GB2158266A - Method and apparatus for taking a photograph

Info

Publication number: GB2158266A
Application number: GB08323658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Torquil Hector Rees Macleod
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-03
Filing date: 1983-09-03
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: GB8323658D0

Abstract

A method of increasing the amount of information on photographing a subject's face comprises placing two or more angled mirrors behind the subject so that both the subject and the reflected images are simultaneously recorded. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for taking a photograph This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for taking a photograph.

Conventionally photographs comprise a single view of the object photographed from one direction, normally as seen directly by the camera lens. One object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for taking a photograph such that on one photographic recording medium are formed separate images of the object seen from different angles.

In a preferred form the invention will provide means for taking a photograph of a person's face in which a front view and at least one profile view are recorded simultaneously side by side on the same photographic medium e.g. negative.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a method of taking a photograph which comprises arranging at least one reflective surface in relation to an object and a camera such that the picture received by the camera includes two images of the object seen from different angles, preferably one front view being a direct image of the object as seen by the camera and one side view being reflected to the camera.

The invention extends to a photograph taken by such a method and particularly to a photograph of a human's head which comprises arranged side by side, a front view and a profile from at least one side and preferably two profiles from opposite sides of the head.

In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for taking photographs comprising a camera and at least one reflective surface arranged in relation to the camera and to an object positioned so that the picture received by the camera lens will comprise side by side views of the object from different angles.

In a preferred form two reflective surfaces are arranged substantially at right angles to one another on opposite sides of the object position and within the field of view of the camera whereby the camera will receive three side by side images comprising a front view and two side views of the object.

The left side of a person's face is very rarely an exact mirror image of the right side and a photograph which shows a front view and both profile views carries useful information, particularly for example for police work or scientific investigation.

With advantage, where the photograph is being used for scientific investigation and it is useful to know the exact size of various parts of the head, a scale may be associated with the reflector mounting so that the scale will also appear on the photograph.

In one form means may be arranged to operate the camera to take a photograph when the object is in the correct position in relation to the reflector means. For example where it is required to take a photograph of a human head, switch means can be associated with the reflectors which will be operated by the correct positioning of the head between the reflecting surfaces. Such a switch could be a simple spring contact switch operated by pressure of the head or a photoelectric switch.

The apparatus may additionally include flash means and the flash means is then positioned relative to the camera and reflectors so that the flash means is not directly reflected by the reflectors onto the camera lens.

Embodiments of apparatus for taking photographs will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for taking a photograph, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a photograph, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of alternative apparatus.

Fig. 1 shows a pair of planar reflecting surfaces 12, 1 3 in the form of mirrors mounted by a mounting means 14 so that they are substantially at right angles to one another and symmetrically on opposite sides of the axis 1 5 of a camera 1 6 and such that the mirrors lie within the field of view of the camera lens.

An object, in this case the head 1 7 of a person to be photographed, is positioned substantially on the axis 1 5 between the mirrors 1 2 and 1 3 so that the image received by the camera will comprise a central front view of the head and on either side thereof profile views one from each side, as seen in Fig. 2.

Where it is intended that the camera should be operated by the person being photographed, a switch may be incorporated in the mounting 14 as indicated diagrammatically at 1 8 so that when the head is correctly positioned it will automaticaily operate the switch to take a photograph.

Where it is desired that the photograph be used for scientific investigation, where measurements of the head are useful, a scale may be located on the mounting 14 within the field of view of the camera as indicated diagrammatically at 20 so that the photograph will include this scale as indicated at 21. This will enable the measurements of a person's head to be accurately assessed from the photograph, including the differences between the two sides of the head.

Where a flash is necessary this should be mounted so that the flash means is not directly reflected by the mirrors 1 2 or 1 3 onto the camera lens.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative arrangement for photographing (or merely viewing) an object so that at least two sides are seen and re corded adjacent one another. Three reflecting surfaces 22 are arranged mutually perpendicular to one another and the object 23 lies on the axis of symmetry therebetween. The camera (not shown) or viewing position will lie substantially on the same axis.

Claims

Two mirrors each roughly one foot square set in a framework at right angles to each other and placed behind the subject's head when being photographed. The result of this is that, in addition to the standard "mug shot" of the face there is, on the said photographic negative, a profile of both sides of the face in close conjunction.

With the increased use of flash photography the two mirrors serve to light up areas at the side of the face usually not well lit.

In order to preserve the right angled apposition of the two mirrors, each one touching the back of the head, a triangular support or roof is placed over the top of the frame and along the front of this may be written some means of identifying the subject.