An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for photographing an image in a photo booth employing a light-emitting backdrop. For example, the apparatus comprises a photo booth including a housing having an entrance on one side with movable closure member to minimize encroachment of exterior light, a seat, a first white light source facing the subject(s) for emitting a first selected light intensity upon the subjects, a second white light emitting source facing generally the rear of the subject(s) so as to provide a light-emitting photographic backdrop, and a device for receiving a selected form of payment, or alternatively, for activating the apparatus without payment. In addition, the apparatus includes a photography unit comprising a selected camera, a program-controlled apparatus, a printer, and the first light source, for taking a digital photograph of objects within a selected frame of reference.

The invention provides, among other things, methods and systems for creating a customized colorable image of a user. An exemplary method may include receiving an indication of a selected colorable background. The method may further include capturing a real-time image of the user, where the user is adjacent to a predetermined background. An image of the predetermined background may be filtered out of the real-time image of the user to generate a filtered real-time image of the user. Then, the filtered real-time image of the user against the selected colorable background may be presented.

The invention provides, among other things, methods and systems for creating a customized colorable image of a user. An exemplary method may include receiving an indication of a selected colorable background. The method may further include capturing a real-time image of the user, where the user is adjacent to a predetermined background. An image of the predetermined background may be filtered out of the real-time image of the user to generate a filtered real-time image of the user. Then, the filtered real-time image of the user against the selected colorable background may be presented.

Systems and methods for creating and distributing professional quality pictorial souvenirs giving the illusion that guests of a facility were imaged at other locations, including making initial arrangements with guests, showing selections of background scene images at video displays and flashing chroma key images interspersed with frames of the scene images, taking key guest images in synch with the flashed key images, extracting guest image content from the key guest images and merging into selecting scene images, showing preview merges images for guest selection and providing souvenir portfolios that include merged images to guests or designees after making financial arrangements, including for payment to third parties for copyright content included in the souvenirs and with advertisers for promotional material included in the souvenirs.

Systems and methods for creating and distributing professional quality pictorial souvenirs giving the illusion that guests of a facility were imaged at other locations, including making initial arrangements with guests, showing selections of background scene images at video displays and flashing chroma key images interspersed with frames of the scene images, taking key guest images in synch with the flashed key images, extracting guest image content from the key guest images and merging into selecting scene images, showing preview merges images for guest selection and providing souvenir portfolios that include merged images to guests or designees after making financial arrangements, including for payment to third parties for copyright content included in the souvenirs and with advertisers for promotional material included in the souvenirs.

Disclosed is a system for improving chroma key compositing technique in photography and/or videography. The system comprises at least a first flashlight arranged to be directed towards an object to be photographed, a chrome backdrop in front of which the object is to be photographed, and at least a first reflecting surface arranged partly in front of the first flashlight in such a manner that part of the light from the first flashlight is directed to the object to be photographed and part of the light from the first flashlight is reflected towards the chrome backdrop. The first reflecting surface has essentially the same colour as the chrome backdrop.

Disclosed is a system for improving chroma key compositing technique in photography and/or videography. The system comprises at least a first flashlight arranged to be directed towards an object to be photographed, a chrome backdrop in front of which the object is to be photographed, and at least a first reflecting surface arranged partly in front of the first flashlight in such a manner that part of the light from the first flashlight is directed to the object to be photographed and part of the light from the first flashlight is reflected towards the chrome backdrop. The first reflecting surface has essentially the same colour as the chrome backdrop.

Images of foreground objects in a scene are generated by causing electromagnetic radiation to be emitted having a first spectral power distribution from a surface of a first foreground object, which is adjacent or at least partially obscured by a second foreground object. A first image of both of the first and second foreground objects is acquired while the first foreground object emits electromagnetic radiation with the first spectral power distribution. A second image of the first and second foreground objects is acquired while the first foreground object is not emitting electromagnetic radiation or is emitting electromagnetic radiation with a second spectral power distribution which is different to the first spectral power distribution. An alpha matte of the first and second foreground objects is generated based on a comparison of the first image and second image.

Images of foreground objects in a scene are generated by causing electromagnetic radiation to be emitted having a first spectral power distribution from a surface of a first foreground object, which is adjacent or at least partially obscured by a second foreground object. A first image of both of the first and second foreground objects is acquired while the first foreground object emits electromagnetic radiation with the first spectral power distribution. A second image of the first and second foreground objects is acquired while the first foreground object is not emitting electromagnetic radiation or is emitting electromagnetic radiation with a second spectral power distribution which is different to the first spectral power distribution. An alpha matte of the first and second foreground objects is generated based on a comparison of the first image and second image.

Embodiments are disclosed for generating an instant mask from polarized input images. A method of generating the mask includes obtaining, by a user interface manager, a set of polarized input images, the set of polarized images including background images depicting a background and subject images depicting a foreground object in front of the background and backlit by a polarized light source, the set of polarized input images including more than two polarized images, each associated with a different polarization angle, determining, by a matte optimization manager, an at least partially polarized reflection on the foreground object based on the set of polarized input images, determining, by the matte optimization manager, an alpha matte based at least on intensity values associated with each of the set of polarized input images such that the alpha matte isolates the foreground object and removes the at least partially polarized reflection, and generating, by a matte generator, an output matte based on the alpha matte.