Virtual Avatar Superimposition for Portrait Photography Practice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photographers face challenges in practicing portrait photography in a desired environment without an actual model, which hinders their ability to improve their skills and knowledge.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus that superimposes and displays a virtual three-dimensional avatar on a live view screen, allowing users to practice portrait photography in any environment, with features such as communication evaluation, lighting simulation, and joint cut-off detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a photographer uses a real model for portrait photographing practice, then the photographer can practice in a real environment, but the photographer cannot arrange the model in a desired environment at any time for practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual three-dimensional avatar that copies the appearance and characteristics of a real model. This virtual avatar can be displayed on a live view screen and allows the photographer to practice portrait photographing in any desired environment without needing to physically arrange a real model. The virtual avatar maintains realistic appearance while enabling flexible environmental arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a photographer practices portrait photographing without an actual model, then the photographer can practice in any environment at any time, but the photographer cannot receive real feedback on communication and composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an analyzing unit that analyzes communication between the photographer and the virtual avatar, and a control unit that provides feedback by reflecting analysis results on the live view screen. The system evaluates communication quality and composition, providing real-time feedback to the photographer to improve their portrait photographing skills while maintaining the flexibility of practicing without a real model.
3Ease of operation
If a background image is projected onto a plain background member to create atmosphere, then the photographer can draw out desirable facial expression from the subject, but the technique is merely intended to support the photographer when performing portrait photographing of a real model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the background projection technique to serve multiple functions: creating atmosphere for the virtual avatar, providing facial expression guidance to the photographer, and enabling practice mode without a real model. The same background projection mechanism works whether the photographer is photographing a real model or practicing with a virtual avatar, making the system universally applicable to both scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus allowing a photographer to practice portrait photographing in a desired photographing environment is provided. The image pickup apparatus including a display unit that superimposes and displays an image of a virtual 3D avatar on a live view screen includes an obtaining unit to obtain first elements including information about a user and his/her surroundings, a setting unit to, in response to a user operation, set second elements including elements of the 3D avatar, which change in response to communication with the user, and elements of the 3D avatar, which do not change in response to the communication, an analyzing unit that performs analysis based on the first elements and the second elements, and a control unit that performs control so as to reflect a result of the analysis on the live view screen and the image of the 3D avatar superimposed and displayed thereon.