JP2000056371A - Photographing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly obtain a high-quality image in the case of photographing a slender subject by moving a camera to photograph the different parts of the subject and synthesizing the image of the subject from the individual obtained images. SOLUTION: The optical axis of an electronic camera 1 is horizontally extended, and the upper half of the body of a subject Ob is photographed with the face of the subject Ob as center. The camera 1 converts the optical image with the face as center into an image signal and transmits it to an image processor 2. The processor 2 temporarily stores the 1st image signal in an inside memory. Then, the camera 1 is rocked and the optical axis is extended downward and the lower half of the body of the subject Ob is photographed. The optical image is converted into the image signal and transmitted to the processor 2. The processor 2 temporarily stores the 2nd image signal in the memory. The processor 2 calls the 1st and the 2nd image signals stored in the memory and synthesizes them and thereby, the images are connected to form the synthesized image all over the body image of the subject Ob.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing technique for dividing an elongated object such as a person into an image and photographing the object, and synthesizing the image of the object based on images obtained from the individual images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is a common practice to take a full-length image or a group photo of a person using an electronic camera or a normal optical camera that exposes a silver halide film (hereinafter, referred to as a silver halide camera). I have. By the way, each of the general cameras has a lens for forming an image of a subject, but an imaging element and a film surface on which an optical image is formed are usually flat. Therefore, such a camera has a characteristic (peripheral dimming characteristic) that the peripheral portion of the optical image formed via the lens is darker than the vicinity of the optical axis based on the optical positional relationship. . This characteristic will be specifically described.

[0003]

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the peripheral dimming characteristic. In FIG. 4A, a light beam that is perpendicularly incident on the lens L forms an image on a point RO on the light receiving surface R. On the other hand, the light beam obliquely incident on the lens L forms an image at a point RP shifted from the point RO. At this time, the amount of received light E ′ at the point RP is obtained by calculating the amount of received light at the point
And when the angle between the vertical line of the lens L and the incident light is θ, it can be expressed by the following equation. This is called the cosine fourth law. E ′ = E / (cos ⁴ θ)

[0004] In FIG. 4B, the above equation is shown by a graph with the vertical axis representing brightness and the horizontal axis representing the distance from the optical axis. It is clear that the amount of light has dropped.

On the other hand, there is also a problem of marginal distortion called marginal distortion due to the characteristics of the lens. The marginal distortion is a distortion in which, when a three-dimensional object is photographed with a lens, a subject located around the center of the image is large or bent.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining marginal distortion. The marginal distortion will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. For the lens L,
It is assumed that there are a subject A, a subject B, and a subject C at each position. When optical images of these objects are formed on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device, the respective images are as shown in the figure. The subject image obliquely incident on the lens L is larger than the subject B image input at a right angle to the lens L. In other words, even though the subject A, the subject B, and the subject C have the same size, when an image is formed on the light receiving surface, the image of the subject A and the subject C is larger than the image of the subject B. Such image distortion is referred to as marginal distortion.

[0007] Such peripheral dimming and marginal distortion often do not cause a serious problem when photographing a subject having an aspect ratio of about 1: 1. However, when photographing a vertically long subject such as a full-body image of a single person, or when photographing a horizontally long subject in a group photo with a large number of people, vignetting and marital distortion are remarkable. Tends to appear.

On the other hand, an image signal obtained by imaging with an electronic camera can be corrected by image processing software or the like, so that the quality can be further improved by appropriately supplementing the amount of light in the periphery or correcting distortion. Image can be obtained. However, processing by such image processing software takes time, and depending on the degree of correction, the reproducibility of the subject in the image may be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a photographing method and a photographing apparatus capable of rapidly obtaining a high-quality image when photographing an elongated object.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a photographing method according to the present invention is a photographing method for photographing an elongated object, the method comprising: photographing a part of the object using a camera; Moving the camera, and photographing a different part of the subject using the camera, wherein an image of the subject is synthesized from individual images obtained based on the photographing of the camera. It is characterized by the following.

[0011] A photographing method according to the present invention is a photographing method for photographing an elongated object, wherein a step of photographing a part of the object using a first camera and a step of photographing a different part of the object by a second camera. And capturing an image using the first and second cameras, wherein an image of the subject is synthesized from individual images obtained based on the images captured by the first and second cameras.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus for photographing an elongated object, comprising a first optical system for forming an image of a part of the object and a second optical system for forming an image of a different part of the object. And a single image forming unit that forms an image of a subject based on the two optical images formed via the first and second optical systems.

[0013]

The peripheral dimming and marginal distortion increase with the distance from the center of the optical axis of the subject, so that a part of the subject is photographed using a camera as in the photographing method of the present invention. If there is a step of moving a camera and a step of photographing a different part of the subject using the camera, in each of the photographed images, the distance from the center of the optical axis to the end of the subject is small, so that peripheral dimming is performed. And marginal distortion can be suppressed to a small level. Thus, by synthesizing the image of the subject from such high-quality individual images, a higher-quality composite image can be obtained.

Further, according to the photographing method of the present invention, a step of photographing a part of the subject using a first camera, and a step of photographing a different part of the subject using a second camera. In the images captured by the first camera and the second camera, the distance from the center of the optical axis to the edge of the subject is small, so that peripheral dimming and marginal distortion can be suppressed.
By synthesizing the image of the subject from the individual high-quality images, a higher-quality composite image can be obtained.

According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the first optical system for forming an image of a part of the subject, the second optical system for forming an image of a different part of the subject, and the first optical system.
And a single image forming unit that forms an image of a subject based on the two optical images formed via the second optical system, so that the first optical system and the second optical system In the captured image, the distance from the center of the optical axis to the edge of the subject is small, so that peripheral dimming and marginal distortion can be suppressed to a small amount.Thus, by combining such high-quality individual images, the image of the subject is synthesized. Thus, a higher quality composite image can be obtained.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a photographing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 is arranged such that its optical axis extends horizontally toward a position directly facing the face of the person's subject Ob, that is, toward the center of the face. Further, the electronic camera 1 is swung (tilted) around an axis perpendicular to the paper surface by a drive mechanism (not shown).
The optical axis is directed to the lower body of the object Ob when swinging.

Further, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the image processing device 2 so that an image signal can be transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 is capable of performing predetermined image processing and transmitting an image signal relating to the processed image to the printer 3. The printer 3 can print an image based on the transmitted image signal.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the optical axis of the electronic camera 1 is extended horizontally, and an upper body is photographed around the face of the subject Ob. The electronic camera 1 converts an optical image of the face center into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2
Such an image signal (first image signal) is temporarily stored in an internal memory (not shown).

Next, the electronic camera 1 is swung through a drive mechanism (not shown), and its optical axis is extended downward to photograph the lower body of the object Ob. The electronic camera 1 converts an optical image of the lower body into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing apparatus 2 temporarily stores the image signal (second image signal) in an internal memory (not shown).

The image processing device 2 has the first
And calling and synthesizing the second image signal,
The images are joined to form a composite image relating to the whole body image of the subject Ob. Note that the process of joining images is already known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Subject Ob
Is transmitted to the printer 3 as necessary, and is printed as an image.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when capturing an elongated subject such as a full-body image such as a person, the image is divided into an upper body image centering on the face and an image of the lower body. By taking a picture, the distance from the optical axis in such an image can be kept small, and the above-described peripheral dimming, martial distortion, and the like can be suppressed as much as possible. Further, according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of images are photographed using the same electronic camera, it is possible to prevent a color shift or the like of the image caused by individual differences between the cameras.

In this embodiment, the upper body of the person is photographed with the face facing the center and the face as the center. The reason is that, for example, when the photograph is taken directly to the chest, the composition is such that the face is looked up from below, and thereby an unnatural image such as a large nostril is formed. This is to prevent this. . Furthermore, since the optical characteristics of the lens are often better at the center than at the periphery, it is also to maintain the image quality of the face high by photographing around the face. However, for a subject such as a mannequin that does not need to focus on the face, it is possible to photograph the upper body with the chest as the center.
Further, the electronic camera 1 is configured to swing by a driving mechanism (not shown), but may be swingable by a manual force of a photographer. Furthermore, if the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is swung (panned) around a vertical line, it is possible to take an image of a group of people or the like.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a photographing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the two electronic cameras 1a and 1b are spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the group Ob, which is a group of persons arranged in two lines, and face the group Ob. Assuming that the width of the group Ob is W, the two electronic cameras are arranged at a distance of W / 4 left and right with respect to a central person Ob1 located at the center of the group Ob.

Further, the electronic cameras 1a and 1b are connected to the image processing device 2 so that image signals can be individually transmitted from the electronic cameras 1a and 1b to the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 is capable of performing predetermined image processing and transmitting an image signal relating to the processed image to the printer 3. The printer 3 can print an image based on the transmitted image signal.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the electronic camera 1a photographs the left half of the group Ob. The electronic camera 1 a converts the optical image of the left half into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing apparatus 2 temporarily stores the image signal (first image signal) in an internal memory (not shown).

At the same time, the right half of the group Ob is photographed by the electronic camera 1b. The electronic camera 1 b converts the left half optical image into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing apparatus 2 temporarily stores the image signal (second image signal) in an internal memory (not shown).

The image processing device 2 has the first
And calling and synthesizing the second image signal,
The images are joined to form a combined image for the entire group Ob. The image signal of the composite image of the group Ob is
The data is transmitted to the printer 3 as needed, and is printed as an image.

In the case of photographing a horizontally long subject such as a group arranged horizontally long, if the same camera is swung as in the first embodiment, the same direction as the group of the subject is arranged. Because of the angle, the photographing distance differs greatly between the persons located at both ends of the same image, and there is a possibility that the focus may not be adjusted to any one of the persons. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, one camera 1a takes a picture of the left half of the group, and the other camera 1b takes a picture of the right half of the group. At the same time, the distance from the optical axis in such an image can be kept small, and the above-described marginal dimming, martial distortion, and the like can be suppressed as much as possible. In addition, since both cameras 1a and 1b can shoot simultaneously, it is possible to prevent an image shift due to a displacement of a person, which often occurs when shooting at a time difference, thereby enabling image synthesis. Accuracy can be improved.
If the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged along a vertical line, it is possible to photograph a standing person.

By the way, when the group Ob is photographed by two electronic cameras as in the present embodiment, the image of the central person Ob1 is located in the region to be joined, and therefore the original image is synthesized. There is a possibility that it will be different. However, in group photos, group O
The central person Ob1 located at the center of b is often an important person such as a leader, and in that case, a problem may occur. Therefore, as a modified example of the present embodiment, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2, a third camera 1c disposed so as to face the central person Ob1 is provided.
By combining the three images obtained through a to 1c, especially in the central part of the group (around the central person Ob1)
It is possible to form an image with improved image quality.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a photographing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the electronic camera 10 has two optical systems. The first optical system is
The first optical system includes a first lens 11a and first mirror systems 12a and 13a, and the second optical system includes a second lens 11b and second mirror systems 12b and 13b.

The first lens 11a is arranged so that its optical axis extends horizontally with respect to a position directly facing the face of the person Ob, that is, the center of the face. The optical axis of the second lens 11b extends horizontally with respect to the lower body of the subject Ob.

The incident light from the first lens 11a passes through first mirror systems 12a and 13a to an image pickup device 14 such as a CCD.
And an optical image of the upper body of the subject Ob is formed here. On the other hand, the incident light from the second lens 11b reaches the same imaging device 14 via the second mirror systems 12b and 13b, and forms an optical image of the lower body of the subject Ob on the same.

The image pickup device 14 is connected to the image processing device 2, and can transmit the image signal converted by the image pickup device 14 to the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 is capable of performing predetermined image processing and transmitting an image signal relating to the processed image to the printer 3. Printer 3
Can print an image based on the transmitted image signal. Note that an image forming unit is configured by the imaging element 14 and the image processing device 2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, a first optical system (first lens 1)
1a, an image of the upper body centering on the face of the subject Ob is captured using the image sensor 14 via the first mirror system 12a, 13a). The image sensor 14 converts the optical image at the center of the face into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing apparatus 2 temporarily stores the image signal (first image signal) in an internal memory (not shown).

On the other hand, at the same time, the second optical system (second optical system)
The lower body of the subject Ob is photographed using the imaging device 14 via the lens 11b and the second mirror systems 12b and 13b). The image sensor 14 converts an optical image of the lower body into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2
Such an image signal (second image signal) is temporarily stored in an internal memory (not shown).

The image processing device 2 has the first
And calling and synthesizing the second image signal,
The images are joined to form a composite image relating to the whole body image of the subject Ob. An image signal relating to the composite image of the subject Ob is transmitted to the printer 3 as necessary, and is printed as an image.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an elongated subject such as a full-body image such as a person is photographed, an image of the upper body with the face at the center and an image of the lower body are divided. By taking a picture, the distance from the optical axis in such an image can be kept small, and the above-described peripheral dimming, martial distortion, and the like can be suppressed as much as possible. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the above-described shooting is performed by an electronic camera provided with two optical systems, it is possible to solve a problem such as a color shift caused by an individual difference of an image sensor. In addition, since images of the upper body and lower body can be simultaneously photographed, it is possible to prevent a displacement of an image due to a displacement of a person, which often occurs when photographing with a time lag, thereby improving the accuracy of image synthesis. Can be improved. In this embodiment, if two optical systems are arranged side by side, it is possible to photograph a group of people.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be appropriately changed or improved. is there. For example, the camera is not limited to an electronic camera, but may be a silver halide camera. The number is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided. Further, the cameras 1a and 1b shown in FIG. 2 can be used instead of different cameras, and the same camera can be moved in parallel to perform photographing.

[0039]

Since the vignetting and marginal distortion increase with the distance from the center of the optical axis of the subject, a step of photographing a part of the subject using a camera as in the photographing method of the present invention; If there is a step of moving the camera and a step of photographing a different part of the subject by using the camera, in each of the photographed images, the distance from the optical axis center to the end of the subject is small, so that the periphery is reduced. Light and marginal distortion can be suppressed to a small level. Therefore, by synthesizing the image of the subject from such high-quality individual images, a higher-quality composite image can be obtained.

Further, according to the photographing method of the present invention, the step of photographing a part of the subject using the first camera and the step of photographing a different part of the subject using the second camera are described. In the images captured by the first camera and the second camera, the distance from the center of the optical axis to the edge of the subject is small, so that peripheral dimming and marginal distortion can be suppressed. By synthesizing the image of the subject from the individual high-quality images, a higher-quality composite image can be obtained.

According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the first optical system for forming an image of a part of the subject, the second optical system for forming an image of a different part of the subject, and the first and the second optical systems. A single image forming unit for forming an image of a subject based on the two optical images formed via the second optical system, so that photographing via the first optical system and the second optical system In the image, the distance from the center of the optical axis to the edge of the subject is small, so that peripheral dimming and marginal distortion can be suppressed small.Thus, from such high-quality individual images, by synthesizing the image of the subject, A higher quality composite image is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a photographing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a photographing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining peripheral dimming characteristics.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating marginal distortion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b, 1c10 Electronic camera 2 Image processing device 3 Printer 11a, 11b Lens 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b Mirror 14 Image sensor Ob Object

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A photographing method for photographing an elongated object, comprising: photographing a part of the object using a camera; moving the camera; photographing a different part of the object using the camera. And an image of the subject is synthesized from individual images obtained based on the image captured by the camera. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is a single person. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the camera is arranged at a position directly facing the face of the person, and is capable of photographing the body of the person by tilting. Method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is a set of persons. 5. The camera, by panning,
The photographing method according to claim 4, wherein all of the gathered persons can be photographed. 6. A photographing method for photographing an elongated object, comprising: photographing a part of the object using a first camera; photographing a different part of the object using a second camera. And an image of the subject is synthesized from individual images obtained based on the images captured by the first and second cameras. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the subject is a single person. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first camera is arranged at a position directly facing the face of the person.
Shooting method described in. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the subject is a set of persons. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second cameras are arranged in parallel to a direction in which the persons to be gathered are arranged and are equidistant from the center of the gathering. The shooting method described. 11. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first and second cameras simultaneously shoot images.
11. The imaging method according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. The photographing method according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an electronic camera. 13. A photographing apparatus for photographing an elongated subject, wherein: a first optical system for forming an image of a part of the subject; a second optical system for forming an image of a different part of the subject; A photographing apparatus comprising: a single image forming unit that forms an image of a subject based on two optical images formed via the first and second optical systems. 14. The photographing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the subject is a single person. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first optical system is disposed at a position directly facing the face of the person, and the second optical system is directly opposed to a lower body of the person.
An imaging device according to item 1. 16. The photographing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the subject is a set of persons. 17. The photographing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the camera is an electronic camera.