photobooth/README.md

photobooth

A Raspberry-Pi powered photobooth using gPhoto 2.

Description

Python application to build your own photobooth using a Raspberry Pi, gPhoto2 and pygame.

The code was developed from scratch but inspired by the following tutorials/projects:

• http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-photo-booth-controller/
• http://www.drumminhands.com/2014/06/15/raspberry-pi-photo-booth/
• https://www.renesasse.de/diy-die-eigene-photo-booth-box/

Requirements

Software stack

The following is required for running this photobooth application. I used only versions available in the package repositories of Raspbian (tested version numbers are given in brackets), others might work just as well.

• Python (2.7.3)
• Pygame (1.9.1)
• gPhoto (2.5.6)
• Pillow (2.8.1)
• Optional: RPi.GPIO (0.5.11)

RPi.GPIO is necessary to use external buttons as a trigger but it works just fine without. Triggering is then only possible using touch screen / mouse or key 'c'.

Hardware

• Raspberry Pi (Any device able to run the software stack should work fine)
• Camera supported by gPhoto. I've used a Canon EOS 500D.
• Optional: External button that closes GPIO23 (pin 16) and GND.

Usage

Simply download photobooth.py or clone the repository and run it. It opens the GUI, prints the features of the connected camera, e.g.,

$ ./photobooth.py 
Abilities for camera             : Canon EOS 500D
Serial port support              : no
USB support                      : yes
Capture choices                  :
                                 : Image
                                 : Preview
Configuration support            : yes
Delete selected files on camera  : yes
Delete all files on camera       : no
File preview (thumbnail) support : yes
File upload support              : yes

and waits for you to hit the button to take pictures.

Available actions:

• Press q: Exit the application
• Press c: Take four pictures, arrange them in a grid and display them for some seconds.
• Hit a switch that closes GPIO23 (Pin 16) and GND: Take four pictures, arrange them in a grid and display them for some seconds.
• Click anywhere on the screen: Take four pictures, arrange them in a grid and display them for some seconds.

All pictures taken are stored in a subfolder of the current working directory, named YYYY-mm-dd after the current date. Existing files are not overwritten.

Modifications

In the beginning of the file a number of config options are available. Change them to your liking.

The GUI-class is separated from the entire functionality. I'm using Pygame because it's so simple to use. Feel free to replace it by your favorite library.

License

I provide this code under AGPL v3. See LICENSE.