This invention concerns a method of filming a subject to be projected as a Pepper's Ghost image. The method may comprise filming a subject under a lighting arrangement having one or more front lights for illuminating a front of a subject and one or more backlights. The lights may be controlled such that the total brightness of the one or more front lights, as measured of the subject, is less than or approximately the same as the total brightness of the one or more backlights, as measured at the subject. The subject may be located directly above one or more floor lights such the subject is illuminated from below by the one or more floor lights.

This invention concerns a method of filming a subject to be projected as a Pepper's Ghost image. The method may comprise filming a subject under a lighting arrangement having one or more front lights for illuminating a front of a subject and one or more backlights. The lights may be controlled such that the total brightness of the one or more front lights, as measured of the subject, is less than or approximately the same as the total brightness of the one or more backlights, as measured at the subject. The subject may be located directly above one or more floor lights such the subject is illuminated from below by the one or more floor lights.

A system and method are provided for determining surface defects of an object under study. A photographic tool is employed to produce real-time blending of a series of images of a static object where each of the individual images are illuminated under a different lighting condition with respect to the static object. The achieved effect is similar to what is experienced when looking at a painted surface from different perspectives in order to see if there are any imperfections. For example, in the case of automotive photography, paint problems, sheen differences, scratches, dents, and small dings may only be visible when the vehicle is lit from a specific or correct angle.

A system and method are provided for determining surface defects of an object under study. A photographic tool is employed to produce real-time blending of a series of images of a static object where each of the individual images are illuminated under a different lighting condition with respect to the static object. The achieved effect is similar to what is experienced when looking at a painted surface from different perspectives in order to see if there are any imperfections. For example, in the case of automotive photography, paint problems, sheen differences, scratches, dents, and small dings may only be visible when the vehicle is lit from a specific or correct angle.

Systems and methods for simulating animation of an object are provided. Such systems and methods include capturing a first sequence of images of the object with a camera while in an activated lighting apparatus, importing the first sequence of images into a first stage video file having a preconfigured size and masked off such that the first surface appears over a first background, and incorporating the first stage video file into a template of a three-dimensional (3D) model by aligning the first surface with a video mask of the template such that the video mask obscures the first background of the first stage video file and superimposes a location of the first surface in the first stage video file onto a virtual surface of the 3D model.

A bowl-shaped photographic stage and photographic system is provided that produces consistent diffused lighting of an object or subject that is virtually shadow free for obtaining rotational views of the object in a time efficient manner. The bowl-shaped photographic stage may be used with a camera array, or a single camera may be moved around the circumference of the photographic stage to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject. Alternatively, the bowl-shaped photographic stage may be rotated to pass by a single fixed camera to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject.

A bowl-shaped photographic stage and photographic system is provided that produces consistent diffused lighting of an object or subject that is virtually shadow free for obtaining rotational views of the object in a time efficient manner. The bowl-shaped photographic stage may be used with a camera array, or a single camera may be moved around the circumference of the photographic stage to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject. Alternatively, the bowl-shaped photographic stage may be rotated to pass by a single fixed camera to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject.

A photo booth system for image generation of a subject, comprising: a base unit having a stabilizing base and a rotational connector rotated about a rotational axis oriented normal to the base unit and parallel to the stabilizing base; a boom having a fixed end removably connected to the rotational connector and a free end offset from the base unit by 90 degrees; a mobile device configured to control all functions of the system, the mobile device removably connected to the free end; an illumination source configured on the boom, and directed towards the subject during rotation of the boom from a first side of the subject, over and above, and to a second side of the subject; wherein the mobile device is configured to generate images of the subject, characterized by at least 180 degrees of rotation of the boom, from the first side, above, and the second side of the subject.

The invention relates to a technical stage device (1), comprising a fastening element (2), a bearing element (3) and a functional element (4), in particular a camera or a spotlight, wherein the functional element (4) is arranged on the bearing element (3) so as to be pivotable about a tilt axis (14) and wherein the bearing element (3) is arranged on the fastening element (2) so as to be rotatable about a pan axis (13), wherein a position determination arrangement is provided, which is designed in such a way that a relative movement between the bearing element (3) and the fastening element (2) as well as between the bearing element (3) and the functional element (4) can be determined. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining the correlation function of predetermined tilt and pan values of a functional value (4), in particular a camera or a spotlight, to absolute motion values of the functional element (4).

The invention relates to a technical stage device (1), comprising a fastening element (2), a bearing element (3) and a functional element (4), in particular a camera or a spotlight, wherein the functional element (4) is arranged on the bearing element (3) so as to be pivotable about a tilt axis (14) and wherein the bearing element (3) is arranged on the fastening element (2) so as to be rotatable about a pan axis (13), wherein a position determination arrangement is provided, which is designed in such a way that a relative movement between the bearing element (3) and the fastening element (2) as well as between the bearing element (3) and the functional element (4) can be determined. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining the correlation function of predetermined tilt and pan values of a functional value (4), in particular a camera or a spotlight, to absolute motion values of the functional element (4).