Abstract: A camera module includes: a first lens module having a first optical axis; a second lens module having a second optical axis; a first optical path converting member configured to convert a path of incident light to a first optical path connected to the first optical axis and a second optical path connected to the second optical axis; and a first driving device configured to drive the first optical path converting member such that one optical path among the first optical path and the second optical path is selected.

Abstract: A ground-based visual-inspection system includes a ground-based visual-inspection apparatus and a control system. The ground-based visual-inspection apparatus includes a mobile base, an actuatable arm coupled to the mobile base, and an effector coupled to the actuatable arm. The actuatable arm is locatable in a three dimensional space. The end effector includes a camera configured to capture images of a structure, such as an aircraft. The control system is configured to determine location information of the camera relative to a reference location and associate the location information with the images.

Abstract: A system for adjusting an optical path length includes a camera body having a camera body opening, an image sensor coupled to the camera body, and an optical device movably coupled to the camera body. The movable coupling of the optical device to the camera body includes a first coupling position of the optical device relative to the camera body and a second coupling position of the optical device relative to the camera body. In the first coupling position, the optical device is located at a position that intersects a path between the image sensor and the camera body opening. In the second coupling position of the optical device, the optical device is located at a position that does not intersect the path between the image sensor and the camera body opening.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a device attachment configured to releasably attach to and provide infrared imaging functionality to mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. The device attachment may include an infrared imagining module and a non-thermal imaging module that cooperate with one or more of a non-thermal imaging module in an attached device and a light source in the attached device for capturing and processing images.

Abstract: Dual-lens assemblies and cameras including dual lens-assemblies that include a first lens barrel securing a first lens having a first optical axis and a second lens barrel securing a second lens having a second optical axis are disclosed. In one dual-lens assembly, the first optical axis is approximately parallel to and spaced from the second optical axis by a lateral offset, axial lengths of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel are approximately equal, and the first lens and the second lens are oriented in opposite directions at opposing ends of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a camera and a retaining member. The camera includes an objective portion configured to collect light from a subject, a sensor portion reversibly separable from the objective portion, an alignment-sensing system configured to sense a state of alignment between the objective portion and the sensor portion, an actuator configured to move the objective or sensor portion, and a computer configured to control the actuator responsive to output of the alignment-sensing system, so as to bring the objective and sensor portions into alignment. The retaining member is configured to couple the objective portion to the sensor portion when the objective and sensor portions are aligned and when the objective portion is separated from the sensor portion.

Abstract: Illumination methods and apparatus are described. In some embodiments a lighting device includes one or more lighting modules. At least some but not necessarily all lighting modules include a light source, e.g., LED or bulb, a collimating lens positioned in front of said light source for generating a beam of light from light output by said light source and a beam flattening lens for flattening the beam of light in at least a first direction as it passes through the first beam flattening lens. In some but not necessarily all embodiments lighting modules are controlled based on which portion of a scene is being captured at a point in time thereby avoiding the need to illuminate the entire scene for the full duration of an image capture period. The lighting device may be used in combination with a rolling shutter and a sensor used to capture one or more images.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an image pickup optical system, an evacuating optical system movable between a shooting state and an evacuating state, a first urging member, a first moving member, a second moving member including a sliding portion and a first, second, and third cam follower portions, and a first cam cylinder member including a plurality of first cam portions. The first, second, and third cam follower portions follows the plurality of first cam portions. A second urging member urging in a redial direction of the second moving member is attached to the first cam follower portion. In a case where the evacuating optical system is the evacuating state, a straight line extended in a direction, where the evacuating optical system works on the sliding portion by the first urging member, intersects with a line segment between the second and third cam follower portions.

Abstract: A light adjusting apparatus including first and second substrates that include openings and are disposed parallel to each other at a predetermined distance, a rotating shaft member rotatably attached to the first and second substrates, a drive section that rotates the rotating shaft member, an incident light adjusting section that has a light adjusting function and is joined to the rotating shaft member so as to rotate integrally therewith, and a ring-shaped protruding portion for increasing a junction area of a joint portion between the rotating shaft member and the incident light adjusting section, in which the incident light adjusting section is rotated by the drive section via the rotating shaft member to be displaced to an inserted position located in the optical path of the incident light that passes through the openings or a retracted position to thereby adjust the incident light.

Abstract: A camera set up for fitting on board a motor vehicle. The camera has an electronic sensor, a multifocal, particularly bifocal optical device, an optical lens focused in long-range field, the multifocal optical device and the optical lens being set up to be able to form a first image (IM1) on the sensor, focused in long-range field, and a second image (IM2) focused in close-range field, these first and second images extending into respective distinct regions of the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a camera apparatus including a lens apparatus which is attachable thereto and detachable therefrom, the camera apparatus including: an optical system; and an optical element which is insertable to and removable from an optical path of the optical system, in which: the optical element includes a surface having positive refractive power; and the optical system includes a surface having negative refractive power.

Abstract: In a lens barrel including an image pickup optical system containing plural lens groups and a barrel member for holding the image pickup optical system and conducting protruding and retracting, the lens frame holding a prescribed lens group of the image pickup optical system is swung so that the prescribed lens group is moved to a position where the optical axis is different from those of other lens groups at the time of the retraction, and in the process of changing from the protruded state to retracted state, the lens frame is swung by engagement with a cam-shaped portion of a first engagement member, and is then engaged with a second engagement member.

Abstract: An image capturing system and a lens module thereof are provided. The lens module includes a first barrel, a second barrel, a lens, a swing lever and a connecting shift. The first barrel has a bump. The second barrel is disposed inside the first barrel. The swing lever has a first end and a second end. The lens is disposed at the first end. The connecting shift connects the swing lever and the second barrel. The swing lever is rotated around the connecting shift. The bump is used for pushing the second end of the swing lever.

Abstract: A webcam with an optical lens that can manually be moved into a position in front of the camera lens. The lens may slide or be rotated to a position in front of the camera lens. The optical lens may be a zoom lens, such that, in combination with the lens of the camera, a fixed zoom or magnification function is provided. Alternately, at least a second lens may also be provided, such as to provide two fixed zoom positions. The two lenses could be moved together with a single mechanical structure, or separately with two different manual controls.

Abstract: Introduced is an optical arrangement for varying an imaging ratio and/or a refractive power including at least one optical axis, having at least two optical elements, which can be pivoted into and/or pivoted to and/or switched into and/or switched to the optical path, which encompass in each case a refractive power and an optical axis and the optical axes of which can in each case be made to be substantially congruent with the optical axis of the arrangement or are substantially congruent with the optical axis of the arrangement. The optical path between the optical elements, which can be pivoted into and/or pivoted to and/or switched into and/or switched to, undergoes at least one change in direction and/or vergence.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element supported on a support structure by a suspension system comprising a plurality of resilient flexures. A shape memory alloy actuator drives movement of the movable element on contraction. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element in the opposite direction. Rather than using the resilient flexures of the suspension system as the sole biassing means, an additional Massing element biasses the movable element against the SMA actuator. When the moveable element is held against the end-stop, the force applied by the biassing element is greater than the force applied by the flexures of the suspension system. This reduces the design constraints, for example allowing a greater range of movement.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element suspended on a support structure by a plurality of flexures which are non-uniformly configured to apply forces having differing components perpendicular to the movement axis generating a net moment around the center of mass of the movable element in an opposite sense from the moment generated by the actuation force. A shape memory alloy wire is coupled between the support structure and an intermediate body engaging the movable element through a pivotal contact to avoid lateral force transfer. Also coupled between the support structure and the intermediate body is a resilient biassing flexure plastically deformed in a partial region thereof. The shape memory alloy wire is crimped by a crimping member fixed to the support structure holding the shape memory alloy wire against a curved surface from which the shape alloy memory wire extends to the movable element.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image taking optical system, an optical filter into which the light from the image taking optical system enters, an image pickup element electrically converting the optical image formed by the light that has passed through the optical filter, an image pickup element holding member holding the image pickup element together with the optical filter, and a lens holding member holding an image surface side lens unit disposed closest to the optical filter. The lens and image pickup element holding members are moved relatively to each other in an optical axis direction, and include dust-proof walls that surround a space between the image surface side lens unit and the optical filter and mutually overlap in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction in an entire range where the lens and image pickup element holding members are relatively moved.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes: a zoom ring having a cylindrical shape, and comprising an inlet portion formed in a boundary of one end thereof and a first protrusion; a guide ring disposed around the zoom ring, and comprising a first guide hole through which the first protrusion passes, and movably supporting the zoom ring in an axial direction, and a second guide hole; and a cylinder disposed in the zoom ring, for moving and rotating between a position where the cylinder is accommodated in the zoom ring and a position where the cylinder moves away from the zoom ring in the axial direction, and comprising a second protrusion that passes through the second guide hole, accommodated in the inlet portion at the position where the cylinder is accommodated, and pressing one end of the inlet portion when the cylinder moves away from the zoom ring.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes interchangeable lenses to adjust a zoom level of the optical module.

Abstract: An image capturing system and a lens module thereof are provided. The lens module includes a first barrel, a second barrel, a lens, a swing lever and a connecting shift. The first barrel has a bump. The second barrel is disposed inside the first barrel. The swing lever has a first end and a second end. The lens is disposed at the first end. The connecting shift connects the swing lever and the second barrel. The swing lever is rotated around the connecting shift. The bump is used for pushing the second end of the swing lever.

Abstract: A camera lens actuation apparatus for driving motion of a camera lens supported on a support structure by a suspension system. The apparatus incorporates a subassembly comprising SMA wire connected to at least one mounting member which is mounted to the support structure. At least one pair of lengths of SMA wire are held in tension between the camera lens element and the support structure at respective acute angles to the optical axis applying a tensional force having a component along the optical axis. The lengths of SMA wire in the pair are held at angle as viewed along the optical axis. There may be plural pairs with a balanced arrangement in which the forces generated have no net component perpendicular to the optical axis and generate no net torque around any axis perpendicular to the optical axis. A control circuit controls heating of the SMA wire in response to a measure of its resistance.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a fixed optical system though which a subject image enters into the lens barrel along with an optical axis, a retreatable blur correction optical system that corrects an image blur by moving within a plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis in an operating position and that retreats to a storage position from the operating position, a blur correction optical system drive unit that drives the retreatable blur correction optical system within the plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis, and a correction information recording unit at which reference position correction information is recorded, the correction information indicating a reference position for the retreatable blur correction optical system within the plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An objective comprises: a first group including a plurality of lens groups arranged at a predetermined interval; a second group composed of a single lens-group; a pressing ring which is screwed in, the pressing ring being for fixing the first group; and an outer frame accommodating the first group, the second group, and the pressing ring, wherein the outer frame includes a first hole at a position facing the second group.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: A method for driving a lens and a lens driving apparatus, the lens driving apparatus including a base in which a guide member is disposed; a lens support member comprising an installation unit disposed on one side thereof to slidingly move along the guide member, wherein at least one lens is mounted in the lens support member; a driving structure configured to move the lens support member and comprising a lead screw; a working member having one portion contacting the driving structure and another portion contacting one side of the installation unit; an elastic member for providing the installation unit with an elastic force; and wherein a predetermined space is disposed between the installation unit and the base, and wherein the installation unit is configured to be moved to the base by a means other than the driving structure.

Abstract: A taking lens consists of first to third lens groups. The second lens group is held in a lens frame that is coupled through an arm to a supporting shaft, and is able to rotate about the supporting shaft, to move the second lens group in a circular direction in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. As a movable lens barrel retreats into a camera body, the lens frame rotates to remove the second lens group from an inserted position inserted in an optical path of the taking lens to a removed position set out of the optical path. The arm is provided with an actuator that causes the lens frame to move in a lengthwise direction of the arm. Because the movement in the circular direction includes a component that is perpendicular to the lengthwise movement of the arm, it is possible to move the lens frame and thus the second lens group in any directions in the perpendicular plane to the optical axis, in order to cancel a deviation of an optical image that result from a camera shake.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module. The camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens barrel in which a lens is arranged, a close range lens provided in the housing and covering the lens at the time of shooting at close range, and a driving unit driving the close range lens to cover the lens.

Abstract: An optical element positioning apparatus capable of moving an optical element from a storage state to a use state and improving the accuracy of positioning the optical element to a use position on an optical path. A holding member that holds the optical element is guided by guide shafts to be movable between the storage state and the use state. The holding member is provided with guide-supporting and receiving portions through which the guide shafts are slidably inserted. The guide shafts are supported by holding portions. A degree of freedom in positioning the holding member at the use position is provided. Holding-member positioning parts of the guide-supporting and receiving portions are pressed by an urging device against ends of the holding portions, whereby the holding member is positioned and held at the use position.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body defining a receiving cavity therein, a camera module received in the receiving cavity, and a movable moveable lens. The camera module includes a casing and a wide-angle lens unit received in the casing. The movable lens is received in the receiving cavity and spaced a distance from the camera module. The movable lens is movable between a first position where the wide-angle lens unit is covered by and optically aligned with the movable lens, thereby the movable lens and the wide-angle lens unit cooperatively constituting a telephoto lens, and a second position where the wide-angle lens unit is misaligned with the movable lens and exposed to an exterior.

Abstract: A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit including a body, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a contaminant trap formed by an isolated annular space between the lens unit and the opening of the housing. In a particular embodiment, the opening of the housing includes surfaces having at least two different perimeters, the smaller of which slidably engages the outer surface of the lens unit. The contaminant trap collects and contains any contaminants before they reach vulnerable components such as the image capture device and/or other optical components within the camera module.

Abstract: A lens barrel unit including a lens barrel which has a plurality of lens groups and is set to a photographing state by moving at least a part of the lens groups to an object side and to a collapsed state by moving the at least the part of the lens groups to an image plane side and storing the lens groups, the lens barrel unit includes: a first supporting frame which retains at least one lens group of the lens groups; a second supporting frame which retains the first supporting frame movably in an optical axis direction of the lens barrel; a first supporting frame moving section which moves the first supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; and a fixed cylinder in which a main shaft which is capable of moving the second supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel is provided.

Abstract: A camera module includes a first lens assembly, a second lens assembly, an image sensor module, a first driving device and a second driving device. The first lens assembly is positioned on an optical axis of the camera module. The second lens assembly is coaxially aligned with the first lens assembly and movable along the optical axis. The image sensor module includes a first image sensor and a second image sensor at opposite sides thereof. The first driving device is for driving the second lens assembly to move backward and forward along the optical axis. The second driving device is for driving the image sensor module to move down and up along directions nonparallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a humanoid robot and a method thereof, in which a best one of lenses or filters of a camera module is selectively substituted to improve object recognition performance. The humanoid robot includes a torso, a head connected to the torso, and a camera module installed on the head, and the camera module includes at least one of a lens member and a filter member, which selectively substitutes a part thereof according to a recognition state of an object.

Abstract: A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system redirecting an optical axis of light representing an image of an object by 90° to form an image on a image sensor, and a second optical system having a movable reflection member configured to be selectively positioned on the part of the redirected optical axis of the optical axis of light passing through the first optical system, and redirecting the light representing the image of the object by 90° using the movable reflection member to form an image on the image sensor, wherein the first optical system and the second optical system share lenses and the image sensor located after the movable reflection member along an optical path.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a telescopic cylinder, at least one movable lens, and a retractable lens. The telescopic cylinder includes at least one movable cylinder that can be accommodated in a fixed cylinder. The movable lens is retained in the movable cylinder. An optical axis of the movable lens determines a reference axis of the lens barrel. The retractable lens can be retracted in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis from a photographing position on the reference axis to a retracted position off the reference axis. In a photographing state, the retractable lens is adjacent to the movable lens, and the movable lens and the retractable lens are coaxially aligned along the reference axis. The retractable lens moves to the reference axis from the retracted position immediately after the movable cylinder of the movable lens reaches a maximum protruded position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a lens frame retaining at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups; a first lens cylinder supporting the lens frame inside thereof and including a plurality of cam followers on an outer circumferential section thereof; and a second lens cylinder including a mutually parallel plurality of cam grooves in an inner circumferential section thereof and storing the first lens cylinder therein in the collapsed state, the plurality of cam grooves are engaged with the plurality of cam followers and configured to advance and retire the first lens cylinder in a direction of an optical axis by a relative rotation of the first lens cylinder, the plurality of cam grooves have a first cam grooves and a second cam grooves, the plurality of cam followers have a first cam follower and a second cam follower, the first cam follower and the second cam follower are engaged with the first cam grooves and the second cam grooves, respectively, and the first cam follower and the second cam follower are

Abstract: In a digital camera, a solid state imaging device is used to catch subject light so that an image signal is created. The digital camera contributes to effectively implementing further thinness in such a manner that a part of image taking lenses is saved to a suitable position at the time of the collapse. Both the rear elements lens and the focus lens are revolved between a position on the optical axis and a saving position coming into a hollow portion beside the CCD solid state imaging device, or between the position on the optical axis and a saving position in which the front elements lens, the rear elements lens and focus lens form a line substantially on a plane.

Abstract: A camera module includes a first lens assembly, a second lens assembly, an image sensor module, a first driving device and a second driving device. The first lens assembly is positioned on an optical axis of the camera module. The second lens assembly is coaxially aligned with the first lens assembly and movable along the optical axis. The image sensor module includes a first image sensor and a second image sensor at opposite sides thereof. The first driving device is for driving the second lens assembly to move backward and forward along the optical axis. The second driving device is for driving the image sensor module to move down and up along directions nonparallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A projector device, includes: a projector unit, including a light source and a projection lens whose focal position is variable, that projects an image upon a projection surface with a light flux outputted from the light source that passes through the projection lens; an image-capturing unit, including a photographic lens whose focal position is variable, that captures an image of a subject with a light flux from the exterior that passes through the photographic lens; and a single drive source that generates drive force for changing both the focal position of the projection lens and the focal position of the photographic lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units is changed so that an optical image is formed with a continuously variable magnification, the zoom lens system comprises a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit that includes a lens element having a reflecting surface and has negative power and subsequent lens units including at least one lens unit having positive power, and the condition: 0.50<(C?S)/H<1.00(C=?(2R·dR?dR2), S is a sag of the image side surface of the most object side lens element in the second lens unit at height H, H is one-half of an optical axial thickness of the lens element having a reflecting surface, R is a radius of curvature of the image side surface, and dR is an interval between the most object side lens element and the lens element having a reflecting surface) is satisfied.

Abstract: A retractable photographic lens including a photographing optical system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least two radially-retractable optical elements; wherein the plurality of optical elements are aligned with an optical axis in an operating state of the retractable photographic lens. When the retractable photographic lens moves from the operating state to a fully retracted state, the two radially-retractable optical elements of the plurality of optical elements are radially retracted to respective radially retracted positions thereof away from the optical axis in different radial directions and moved rearward in the optical axis direction to be positioned adjacent to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly for a miniature camera, such as those used in cellular telephones and other personal electronic devices, is disclosed. One or more lenses of the zoom lens assembly are moved in and/or out of the optical path of the zoom lens assembly to change the magnification of the lens. Since the magnification does not necessarily require movement of lenses along the optical path of the camera, the length of the zoom lens assembly, and consequently of the camera as well, is substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom lens and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same. The zoom lenses comprises, in order from its object side, a positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, a positive third lens group G3, and a positive fourth lens group G4. Zooming is implemented by changing the spacing between the respective lens groups. Upon received in a lens mount, the third lens group is shifted and positioned while its optical axis is tilted at an angle of ±45° with those of other lens groups or placed substantially horizontal. At least one of lenses in the second lens group G2 or the fourth lens group G4 is configured such that a portion of that lens proximate to the third lens group being received in the lens mount is cut away. The following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.3<d×(Fnt/ft)<3.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a standard optical element used in a standard photographing operation and an insertable optical element which is selectively inserted into and removed from a photographing optical path. The lens barrel includes an accommodating driving device which moves the standard optical element and the insertable optical element rearward in an optical axis direction from a ready-to-photograph state to a retracted state; an insertable-optical-element drive mechanism which moves the insertable optical element between an inserted position on the optical axis on which the standard optical element is positioned, and a removed position off the optical axis, in the ready-to-photograph state of the lens barrel; and a forced removing device which forces the insertable optical element to move from the inserted position to the removed position independently of the insertable-optical-element drive mechanism when the lens barrel moves from the ready-to-photograph state to the retracted state.

Abstract: A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system redirecting an optical axis of light representing an image of an object by 90° to form an image on a image sensor, and a second optical system having a movable reflection member configured to be selectively positioned on the part of the redirected optical axis of the optical axis of light passing through the first optical system, and redirecting the light representing the image of the object by 90° using the movable reflection member to form an image on the image sensor, wherein the first optical system and the second optical system share lenses and the image sensor located after the movable reflection member along an optical path.

Abstract: A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system selectively redirecting at least one of two lights of representing images of object from two incident lenses into a first optical axis of light toward an image sensor by at least one reflection member, wherein, at least one optical element is disposed between an image sensor and the reflection member.

Abstract: A slidable lens retracting device is provided for retracting a lens system that include lens group units all positioned on a common optical axis when the lens system is in an operational state. At least one lens group unit is retracted from the on-axis position on the optical axis to an off-axis space radially off the optical axis by the slidable lens retracting device when the lens system is moved to a retracted state. The slidable lens retracting device includes slides mounted to the lens group unit and fixed support members forming inclined surfaces with which the slides are engageable. The control tracks receive the slides therein and are movable along the optical axis to bring the lens system to the retracted position to cause the slides to engage and slide along the inclined surfaces and thus moving the lens group unit to the off-axis space.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image stabilizer which detects vibration applied to a photographing optical system and moves at least one optical element of the photographing optical system in a plane orthogonal to a common optical axis of the photographing optical system to counteract image shake in accordance with a direction and a magnitude of the vibration; and a radially-retracting device which moves the optical element between a photographing position, at which the optical element is located on the common optical axis in a photographic state, and a radially-retracted position, at which the optical element is radially retracted away from the common optical axis in a non-photographing state.