Abstract: A dual function electronic recording portrait camera that divides the image-forming light reflected from a portrait subject and received through the front lens of the camera into a first optical image portion which passed, upon shutter opening, to a frame of photographic film for recording thereon as a photographic image and into a second optical image portion which is passed to a video charge coupled device with an electronic image array for conversion to an electronic image. The electronic image is viewed before and at the instant of shutter opening through a video display unit associated with the camera and the electronic image is recorded in the memory of a microprocessor associated with the camera at the instant of shutter opening. The recorded electronic image corresponds exactly to the photographic image recorded on film and the electronic image may be recalled from the memory of the microprocessor for video display and review by the camera operator and the portrait subject.

Abstract: A method and system (including a unique arrangement of computer and photographic apparatus) for automated or computer-aided portrait photography. The method and system utilize an automatic, between-the-lens 35 mm camera including auto-wind, auto-focus and auto-exposure features. A beam splitter behind the camera lens captures a part of the image-forming light reflected from the portrait subject to provide a video pickup charge coupled device with an exact color video image of the subject as seen by the camera. On the outside of the camera housing a flat screen video viewfinder is provided which permits the operator (portrait photographer) to view the image which is being received by the video pickup device. The camera and overall system components are interfaced with and connected to a microprocessor and are controlled by the flash circuitry of the camera.