An imaging unit includes: an attachment member that is attached to a mobile terminal which includes an imaging section and a lighting section; a lens section that is disposed at a position corresponding to the imaging section of the mobile terminal and closes up a target; and an optical member that guides illumination light from the lighting section, from the lighting section of the mobile terminal toward the target rather than an end of the lens section on a side of the target.

A flash photography reflector system where a harness that is mount on to the body of a user supports a photographic flash and is used in conjunction with a white shirt worn by the user, which is the principal reflector of the system. The harness comprises of two shoulder straps that support vertical beams that in turn bear a horizontal beam. The horizontal beam rests at the waist level of the user, on whom the harness is mounted. A photographic flash is attached to the horizontal beam of the harness, with its flash head facing the user's white shirt. Light emanating from the flash strikes the white shirt and is reflected off in a wider beam and illuminates the subject being photographed with a soft light in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

An imaging system having a forward and rearward orientation and comprising: (a) one or more parabolic reflectors having a base, a focus, and a reflector axis, said one or more parabolic reflectors defining a central reflector axis; (b) at least one a light source disposed near or essentially at said focus of each of said one or more parabolic reflectors forward of its base; and (c) an imaging device disposed within said one or more parabolic reflectors, and comprising a zooming lens having an optical axis essentially coincident with said central reflector axis.

An illumination apparatus includes: a light-guiding portion including a light-introducing opening through which light is introduced from a light-emitting portion of an image pickup apparatus, a reflective surface that reflects light introduced from the light-introducing opening toward an image pickup optical axis of the image pickup apparatus, and a diffusion portion that diffuses the light reflected by the reflective surface toward an object as diffused light; and a reflective body including an opening portion allowing an image pickup opening of the image pickup apparatus to be exposed, and a reflective portion provided around the opening portion and including a reflective surface formed to expand from the opening portion toward the object, wherein the diffusion portion is disposed at a part of the reflective portion and the reflective body includes a wall portion extending to the object side at a boundary between the opening portion and the diffusion portion.

An imaging unit includes: an attachment member that is attached to a mobile terminal which includes an imaging section and a lighting section; a lens section that is disposed at a position corresponding to the imaging section of the mobile terminal and closes up a target; and an optical member that guides illumination light from the lighting section, from the lighting section of the mobile terminal toward the target rather than an end of the lens section on a side of the target.

A softbox for use with a light source has structures to collapse the softbox. These structures include a ring-support assembly. The ring support assembly includes a support ring and a light ring, both of which couple to frame arm assembly. The frame arm assembly supports the material of the softbox. When the support ring and light ring are separated, the frame collapses. The structures of the light box may be entirely disposed outside of the direct path of the light source to the target, facilitating, in part, the softbox being integrated with other light manipulating devices proximal to the light source.

A system allowing the acquisition of biometric and biographical data of an individual includes a station into which at least one of the following elements are integrated: a sensor of biometric prints, a camera for taking a picture of said individual, a feedback screen and a gantry including lighting means adapted for ensuring lighting complying with given conditions of acquisition of the biometric data. The lighting means include a curved metallic reflector fixed to the rear and to the apex of the framework of a first upper light tube placed substantially horizontally, furnished with a protection which is lowered and oriented toward said reflector, and a second light tube disposed substantially horizontally in the lower part of the framework, where the power P.sub.2 of the second lighting tube being lower than that the power P.sub.1 of the first tube.

Modular lighting systems having light heads, lighting poles or stands connected to and transferring power to the light head, a power pack connected to and transferring power to the lighting pole or stand, and a light meter in communication with the power pack. Power-transferring and data transferring modular light poles or stands, having telescoping portions, conductors of power and data therein, and first and second mounts. Power packs for modular lighting systems having casings, communication devices adapted to communicate with a light head or a flash head, and first and second mounts.

An imaging system having a forward and rearward orientation and comprising: (a) one or more parabolic reflectors having a base, a focus, and a reflector axis, said one or more parabolic reflectors defining a central reflector axis; (b) at least one a light source disposed near or essentially at said focus of each of said one or more parabolic reflectors forward of its base; and (c) an imaging device disposed within said one or more parabolic reflectors, and comprising a zooming lens having an optical axis essentially coincident with said central reflector axis.