Video Photography System

Abstract

A video photography system includes a video camera system and a background lighting system. The video camera system is configured to capture photographs of a subject positioned between the video camera system and a background. The background lighting system is configured to generate background lighting conditions on the background. The background lighting conditions include at least a first lighting condition and a second lighting condition.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of capturing photographs, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device, a first input from a photographer;   in response to receiving the first input:
 capturing photographs of a subject with a video camera operating in a pre-recording mode, the pre-recording mode having a buffer that stores a subset of the photographs captured over a predetermined period of time; 
   receiving a second input from the photographer, wherein the second input is received while the video camera is operating in the pre-recording mode; and   in response to receiving the second input, storing at least the subset of the photographs captured before receiving the second input in a computer readable storage device.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one of the photographs is stored in a buffer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the buffer is configured to store a plurality of photographs captured over a predetermined period of time, the method further comprising:
 in response to the receiving the first input:
 after recording has occurred for the predetermined period of time, discarding photographs in the buffer that were captured more than the predetermined period of time ago. 
   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 continuing to capture photographs for a second predetermined period of time after receiving the second input; and   storing the photographs captured after receiving the second input in the computer readable storage device.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 discarding photographs in the buffer that were captured more than the predetermined period of time ago.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 in response to the receiving the second input, discarding a subset of the photographs received before receiving the second input.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the subset of the photographs that are discarded were captured at least a predetermined period of time prior to receiving the second input. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 transferring, over a wireless network, the stored subset of the photographs captured before receiving the second input to a computing device.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising capturing an audio signal while capturing photographs in the pre-recording mode. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising receiving a third input to identify a user selection of a photograph from the stored subset of photographs. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising in response to receiving the third input, discarding photographs in the subset of photographs that are not identified. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising generating a still photograph using the identified photograph. 
     
     
         39 . The method of claim  23 , wherein the first input and second input are received via a touch screen of a smartphone. 
     
     
         40 . The method of claim  23 , wherein the second input is received in response to touching a button displayed on a user interface generated by the smartphone. 
     
     
         41 . A video camera system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least processor, cause the at least one processor to:
 capture photographs of a subject, wherein at least a subset of the photographs captured over a first predetermined period of time are stored in a buffer; 
 receive a capture input from the photographer; and 
 in response to receiving the capture input, store a subset of the photographs captured before receiving the second input. 
   
     
     
         42 . The video camera system of  claim 41 , further comprising a touchscreen, wherein the capture input is received through the touchscreen. 
     
     
         43 . The video camera system of  claim 41 , further comprising a video camera operable to capture the photographs, and a computer readable storage device operable to store the photographs. 
     
     
         44 . The video camera system of  claim 43 , wherein the video camera includes an image sensor, and a lens, and wherein the video camera is shutterless. 
     
     
         45 . The video camera system of  claim 41 , further comprising a network interface. 
     
     
         46 . A smartphone comprising:
 a video camera configured to record a video of a subject, the video including a plurality of photographs;   a computer readable storage device;   at least one processor; and   memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least processor, cause the smartphone to:
 receive a first input from a photographer; 
 in response to receiving the first input:
 capture photographs of a subject; and 
 store at least a subset of the photographs captured over a first predetermined period of time in a buffer; 
 
 receive a second input from the photographer; and 
 in response to receiving the second input, store at least the subset of the photographs captured before receiving the second input in the computer readable storage device.