An image capturing apparatus communicates with a strobe device used for image capturing and acquires preliminary light emission result information performed by the strobe device. A light control process for determining a light amount of main emission by the strobe device for main image capturing is executed based on the acquired preliminary light emission result information. In a case where an image capturing frequency for repeating image capturing is higher than a threshold value, information which is different from information on the light amount of main emission and is used for settings of preliminary light emission or main light emission is communicated by dividing the information into information acquired by a first communication processing before preliminary light emission and information communicated by a second communication processing after preliminary light emission.

Introduced here are computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for determining reflectance of an image on a per-pixel basis. More specifically, a characterization module can initially acquire a first data set generated by a multi-channel light source and a second data set generated by a multi-channel image sensor. The first data set may specify the illuminance of each channel of the multi-channel light source (which may be able to produce visible light and/or non-visible light), while the second data set may specify the response of each sensor channel of the multi-channel image sensor (which is configured to capture an image in conjunction with the light). Thus, the characterization module may determine reflectance based on illuminance and sensor response. The characterization module may also be configured to determine illuminance based on reflectance and sensor response, or determine sensor response based on illuminance and reflectance.

An electronic device with a camera and a display that can output light to achieve a desired appearance of skin tone is provided. The display outputs light having a color temperature for lighting during picture taking. The electronic device analyzes a color temperature value of a capturing environment and compares that value with a preset value, calculates a difference value according to the comparing, and controls the display to adjust the color temperature of the light accordingly. A color temperature adjusting method of the electronic device is also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a flash generator for providing power supply to a flash tube so that the flash tube rapidly provides a light output adapted to FP-sync, Flat Peak. The flash generator comprises a capacitor bank, an output and a switch configured to switch a current flow from the capacitor bank via the output to provide a variable power via the output. The flash generator further comprises a controller for controlling the switch, whereby by controlling the on time of the switch, the generator is operative to provide, during a time period of 100 to 2000 μs during a peak time period within the time period, an average power at least 4 times higher than the average power provided during the other time period within the time period, whereby the flash tube during the peak time period becomes fully ignited.

The present disclosure relates to a flash generator for providing power supply to a flash tube so that the flash tube rapidly provides a light output adapted to FP-sync, Flat Peak. The flash generator comprises a capacitor bank, an output and a switch configured to switch a current flow from the capacitor bank via the output to provide a variable power via the output. The flash generator further comprises a controller for controlling the switch, whereby by controlling the on time of the switch, the generator is operative to provide, during a time period of 100 to 2000 μs during a peak time period within the time period, an average power at least 4 times higher than the average power provided during the other time period within the time period, whereby the flash tube during the peak time period becomes fully ignited.

An image pickup apparatus that is capable of performing suitable automatic irradiation direction control in a case where the automatic irradiation direction control for a lighting device is operated by a plurality of operation members. The lighting device that changes an irradiation direction of a light emitting section is mounted or is attachable to the image pickup apparatus. A first operation member starts automatic irradiation direction control that drives the light emitting section to direct in a determined irradiation direction, and starts photographing preparation. A second operation member starts the automatic irradiation direction control. A control unit continuously performs the automatic irradiation direction control in operation without stopping when the second operation member is operated during the automatic irradiation direction control owing to the operation of the first operation member.

An image pickup apparatus that is capable of performing suitable automatic irradiation direction control in a case where the automatic irradiation direction control for a lighting device is operated by a plurality of operation members. The lighting device that changes an irradiation direction of a light emitting section is mounted or is attachable to the image pickup apparatus. A first operation member starts automatic irradiation direction control that drives the light emitting section to direct in a determined irradiation direction, and starts photographing preparation. A second operation member starts the automatic irradiation direction control. A control unit continuously performs the automatic irradiation direction control in operation without stopping when the second operation member is operated during the automatic irradiation direction control owing to the operation of the first operation member.

A technique for strobe shooting using automatic irradiation direction control. A strobe device includes a light emission section that emits light, and a drive unit that changes an irradiation direction of light emitted from the light emission section. Exposure conditions set to the camera are notified to the strobe device, and light emission conditions are set according to the exposure conditions. The irradiation direction of light emitted from the light emission section is determined based on the exposure conditions and the light emission conditions.

Techniques related to spatially adjustable flash exposures for imaging devices are discussed. Such techniques may include adjusting region transparencies of a flash filter panel adjacent to a flash module of the image device based on flash filter panel control parameters and exposing the scene by providing a flash light from the flash module and through the flash filter control panel.

Techniques related to spatially adjustable flash exposures for imaging devices are discussed. Such techniques may include adjusting region transparencies of a flash filter panel adjacent to a flash module of the image device based on flash filter panel control parameters and exposing the scene by providing a flash light from the flash module and through the flash filter control panel.