IMAGE MODIFIERS FOR USE IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Abstract: The invention has a plurality of embodiments in which an image modifier (20) is located at either the film plane or gate (18) or an intermediate focussing plane of the camera (10). In one embodiment, the modifier may be moved to two positions, one position within the optical path to modify the image and a second position removed from the optical path so as not to modify the image. In another embodiment the modifier may be attached to the film or film cartridge. In still another embodiment the modifier may take the form of a camera attachment.

Description: AGE MODIFIERS FOR USE IN PHOTOGRAPHY This is a Continuation-in-Part patent application based on U.S. Serial No.: 09/352,286, filed July 13, 1999, still pending, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Serial No. 09/251,678, filed on February 17, 1999, still pending, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Serial No.: 09/187,772, filed on November 6, 1998, still pending, which is a Continuation-in-Part of Serial No. PCT/US97/08605, filed on May 9, 1997, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Serial No.: 08/526,990, filed on September 12, 1995, which issued on July 15, 1997 as U.S. Patent No. 5,649,259. This application further includes subject matter from provisional patent application Serial No. : 60/155, 172, filed on September 21, 1999. Background ofthe Invention a) Field ofthe Invention This invention relates generally to improvements to photographic cameras and photographic systems, and more particularly, to systems and devices for introducing special effects to images. b) Description of Related Art The art of creating special effects in the field of photography has been very active in the past and continues to grow with the increasing interest in photography and the desire for more interesting visual illusions. Devices have been developed, for example, to alter an image prior to or during its exposure on film. Typically, these devices are attached at the end ofthe lens of a camera, and directly interfere with the light prior to it reaching the film. The alterations or effects applied to the incoming light vary from common color- filtering changes to superimposing "sub-images" onto the same frame of film that is recording the "real" image. For example, placing an opaque, pre-shaped matte in front of a portion of the incoming light will block a correspondingly shaped portion ofthe film. This results in an unexposed area of film which may be later "filled-in" with another image to create one desired illusion or effect. Similar diffusion mattes are used in "still photography" to produce progressively under-exposed boarders to a frame of film being exposed, creating a vignette boarder. Conventional devices have also been used to superimpose an image of characters such as a date or other alpha-numeric information onto a portion of an image on a frame of film. Typically, these devices, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,504,959 issued to Leschbrandt, include a translucent plate (or ribbon) having, for example, opaque characters positioned at the film plane in a camera. The plate of characters is aligned adjacent to and in front of the surface of the film. Light from an external source or light generated from within the camera is used to superimpose selected characters ofthe plate onto a portion ofthe film. U.S. Patent No. 3,916,423, issued to Ueda et al. discloses a device for transposing information (characters, lines or designs) onto the surface of film during exposure of the film to an image. A transparent plate having an opaque mask is attached to a film cartridge in front of and adjacent to a frame of film. During exposure, a portion ofthe light from the image is blocked by the opaque mask located on the transparent plate prior to the light reaching and exposing the film. The result is under-exposed regions of the film (negative) corresponding to the particular shape ofthe opaque mask. When the negative is used to expose a positive print, the shape of the particular opaque mask will be positively transposed in the form of dark overexposed regions in the final print. One limitation with these prior art special effects devices is that they all rely on blocking a portion of the incoming light prior to the light reaching the film. Although many effects may be created using the prior art methods employing opaque masks, many other effects require more subtle, diffusion methods. Oftentimes, when a photograph is taken of a particular subject within a particular scene, the lighting conditions and lighting distribution within the scene and the reflective characteristics ofthe subject will cause areas on the film negative to become either overexposed or underexposed relative to the "normal" exposure range of the film. A conventional camera usually includes at least one integral light meter which is used to measure the average intensity of light entering the camera prior to exposing the film. The light meter generates an electrical signal that is inteφreted by a computer and is used to control either the size ofthe aperture ofthe lens, the speed ofthe shutter, or both, so that the average intensity of light is compensated throughout the entire picture, as recorded by the film. With some more advanced cameras, such as the N-90, N90s, and F5 cameras manufactured by Nikon® of Japan, several separate light meters are used, each measuring the intensity of light within a particular zone or region ofthe frame (an upper region is used to measure the intensity of light from the sky of the scene, for example. Although the use of several light meters to measure the different light intensities at different regions of a framed scene provides a more accurate average light intensity reading, the camera cannot control the amount of light from a particular region of the framed scene reaching the corresponding region ofthe film without effecting the amount of light reaching the other regions ofthe film. In other words, the overall density of the negative can be corrected by adjusting either the aperture ofthe lens or the operating speed of the shutter, however, this exposure correction has a uniform effect over the entire recording area ofthe film (i.e., the frame). If the aperture is decreased to lessen the amount of light reaching the film to compensate for the "bright" spots of the subject or scene, for example, the otherwise "neutral" or normal areas of the subject or scene will now become too dark. If the speed ofthe shutter is prolonged to "burn in" the darker regions ofthe image, the normal areas will become unacceptably overexposed and appear "washed out". Unfortunately, since a conventional camera merely measures the average of the total received light entering the camera of a particular image, many pictures end up with a portion ofthe recorded image either overexposed (to dark) or underexposed (washed out). In an attempt to prevent this relatively common exposure malady from ruining an otherwise good picture, serious photographers have made it common practice to take several pictures ofthe same image (i.e., bracket the image) and then vary the exposure ofthe image between each shot, (typically around 1/3 EV) so that each image offers a slightly different exposure from which the photographer may later select the recorded image that averages the received light most accurately. The above-identified N-90 manufactured by Nikon® offers a bracketing feature with its M-26 data-back accessory which allows the camera to automatically take a selected number of pictures and vary the exposure a preset degree between shots. There are several problems with the bracketing technique of photography. Not only is a lot of film exposed for few different images, only relatively expensive cameras offer exposure control, let alone automatic bracketing of the exposure. Also, although exposure bracketing provides several pictures to select from, since the camera's exposure meter must account for the total received light and may not locally correct the exposure of a portion ofthe image frame, all of the bracketed pictures will show varying degrees of over and underexposure. In other words, if there is an overexposed region of an image, bracketing will not correct the exposure of that particular region, merely hide it by changing the total exposure throughout the image, as recorded by film. Other attempts have been made to control the exposure of a particular region of a frame of film, without effecting the exposure ofthe other regions of the frame of film. Special segmented, or zone filters include regions of varying opacity which may be aligned within a particular scene to compensate for highlighted regions, such as a cloudy sky. These filters rarely align with the image detail and are only useful when the specific regions defined by the filter align with the regions of the scene. Once a negative is developed, any underexposed or overexposed regions may be compensated during the production of a photographic print using well known techniques known as "dodging" or "burning" in which a density mask (made from opaque and semi- transparent sheet material) is held in the exposure path (over the photographic paper) when a print is being made from a negative. The mask is used to selectively protect overexposed areas of the negative from a portion of the light projected to the photographic paper during image enlargement (or print processing). However, these techniques are used in expensive custom print processing, not in cheaper automated print processing. These techniques are difficult to uniformly perform on a repeated basis because of the inherent inaccuracies in placing the density mask in the proper location each time a print is made and also require a great amount of time to adjust the mask from print to print. Furthermore, the results of these exposure compensating techniques are not known until after the print is exposed and developed. If the results are unsatisfactory, another attempt must be made in a trial-and-error method until a satisfactory print is produced. Grain Effects Although the art of photography is always open to creative input, as a general rule, good image quality of photographs tends to include some consistent characteristics. Among these involve sharpness, tonal depth, and graininess, which are each somewhat related. Using conventional film (and assuming an image has been recorded in focus on the film), sharpness tends to be directly related to the film's ISO speed wherein the lower the film's ISO speed, such as 25 ISO, the finer the grain and the sharper the image (i.e., the image will be recorded by the film at a higher resolution because the grain ofthe emulsion is finer). High speed films, such as 1600 ISO have a tendency to record an image with high grain characteristics, resulting in a somewhat blurred image revealing "soft" detail. The term "grain" in photography is used to describe the granular texture that appears, to some degree, in all processed photographic materials. In black and white photography, the grains are minute particles of black metallic silver which constitute the dark areas of a photograph. In color photography, although the metallic silver is chemically removed during processing, extremely fine blotches of dye remain on the film and retain the appearance of "grain". The emulsion grain of film maybe considered analogous to the pixel resolution of a television set. The finer the resolution ofthe television screen, the finer the "grain", and the sharper an image will appear on the screen. Similarly, should the resolution (or number of pixels per inch) be reduced (and thereby increased in size), the more noticeable each pixel (or grain) will be, and therefore, the less sharp the image will appear. Since each grain, (or pixel in a TV set) translates a single representative tonal shade ofthe gray scale, the finer the grain, the higher the "sampling" rate over a given area of an image and the more accurate the tonal depth or tonal transition (transition from white to black regions of the image) will be recorded on the film. Since emulsion grain tends to "dull" an image by lowering the recorded resolution of the film, this film characteristic is generally considered undesirable and much research and development has been directed to eliminating (or at least minimizing) the effects of grain from any processed photograph, either at the transparency or negative stage, or in the final print. Graininess is also generally undesirable by photographers because by achieving high grain in a negative, the tonal depth ofthe image is adversely effected, as described above. Coarse (or high) grain within a negative or picture tends to digitize an image so that each "grain" (or pixel) or in some cases, each grain cluster (a group of grains within the emulsion of the film) translates a real image having a gradation of tones including several shades of gray (at a particular region of the image) into a single shade of gray on the film. This digitizing ofthe tonal information ofthe image tends to create a dull, choppy, high-contrast, recorded image having little tonal depth or realism. As discussed above, graininess of film is generally a factor of film speed, however, a low-speed film (100 ISO) which should normally result in a fine grain representation of an image, may be "pushed" during processing ofthe film so that the film is developed as if it were a higher speed film, such as 400 ISO film. In such instance, the emulsion grain may appear coarser than normal. Similarly, higher speed film maybe "pulled" during processing so that it is processed as if it were a lower-speed film. In doing so, grain size and grain effect may be altered. Although emulsion grain is typically associated with poor image quality, as discussed above, it can be used beneficially to create a certain mystique and/or softness of a subject that is otherwise difficult to obtain, using, for example, conventional soft-filter techniques known in the art. It is known, for example, to introduce a grain effect during the enlargement process wherein an image of a normal negative is enlarged (or at least transposed) onto photographic paper. As is known by those skilled in the art, a negative is positioned within and held by a negative carrier. The negative carrier is then positioned within an enlarger so that light may pass through the held negative and its exposed image projected onto a sheet of photographic paper. To create a grain-like effect during the enlargement process, a potato starch may be applied to a glass plate located adjacent to the negative within the negative carrier. The potato starch layer creates a "stochastic screen" which comprises millions of "grain-like" structures of the transparent potato starch. This procedure is described in U.S. Patent No. 822,532 to Auguste and Louis Lumiere, issued June 5, 1906, and the process is currently used by LTI Labs of New York, N.Y. Although this process creates a grain- like structure on photographic paper simultaneously with the exposure ofthe image ofthe negative, the resulting grain is not effectively controllable and will vary in size and texture depending on the size of enlargement being made, the larger the print, the larger the grain. Also, this process of using potato starch to introduce a grain- like characteristic to a photographic print is considered custom photographic work and is inherently expensive to implement, by only select professional photographic labs. Applicant has recognized the value of selectively introducing grain effects in a controlled manner to an image without effecting other characteristics of the photograph, such as tonal depth and sharpness. Focus Control During the past century, since the invention of the still-type film camera, photographic technology has introduces many different types of cameras, usually identified by the format of film used. Today, three main types of still-type film cameras are commercially available, 35mm cameras (including point and shoot type camera, disposable cameras, single lens reflex cameras, and rangefmder type cameras), medium format cameras (including twin-lens) , and large format cameras (including field-type and view type). These cameras use one of at least six basic systems of focusing: (1) fixed-focus, (2) "zone-focus", (3) rangefmder, (4) twin-lens reflex ground glass, (5) single-lens reflex, and (6) automatic focus. In a fixed-focus camera, such as a conventional disposable type camera, there is no means to control the focus ofthe lens. The focus ofthe lens is pre-set in the factory to provide acceptable focus at a predetermined distance (usually around 10 feet). This type of camera is essentially a pin-hole camera with a lens. Camera operators using "zone-focus" cameras must estimate (or actually measure) the distance between the camera and the subject and use this information to control the focus ofthe lens so that the subject is reproduced in focus at the film plane ofthe camera. A rangefmder focusing system uses an optical-mechanical device that produces two images in a viewfmder of the camera. The focusing device effectively functions as a distance measurer (or rangefinder) to help the operator determine the distance between the subject and the camera. In operation, as the operator adjusts the focus control ofthe lens, the two images within the viewfmder move with respect to each other. A subj ect is in focus when both images overlap and appear as one image within the viewfmder. A twin-reflex camera uses two identical lenses that include synchronized focus controls so that both lenses move simultaneously. One lens focuses an image onto a focusing screen for the operator while the other lens focuses essentially the same image onto the film plane. When the operator adjusts the first lens so that the image is in focus on the focusing screen, the second lens will be properly adjusted so that the image will also be in focus at the film plane. The single-lens reflex focusing system (or SLR) is one of the most popular focusing systems used in today's cameras. This type of focusing system allows the operator to view the actual image that will be recorded by the film. A pivotal mirror rests in the path of incoming image light and is used to direct the image light from the lens to a focusing screen, which may be viewed by the operator through an eyepiece. When the shutter release button ofthe SLR camera is depressed, the pivotal mirror immediately pivots away from the path of incoming image light and allows the image light to continue to the film gate and film. This type of focusing system allows the operator to "sample" or test the focus adjustments of the particular lens before any film is exposed. Finally, cameras that automatically focus include a battery-powered motor drive unit that directly controls the focus ofthe particular lens assembly, and at least one type of electronic distance sensor, such as sonar, infrared, or phase-contrast. The sonar and infrared sensors essentially determine the distance between the subject and the camera and then cause the motor to control the focus ofthe lens accordingly. The phase-contrast system measures the contrast of adjacent lines of the incoming image light and similarly, uses this information to control the focus ofthe lens. Motion-film cameras or movie cameras typically use a zone-focusing system wherein the camera operator (or an assistant) will actively control the focus of a lens during a particular shoot. If the subject advances towards (or recedes away from) the camera, the camera operator may have to "rack focus" the lens during a shoot to maintain the moving subject within the depth of field ofthe lens and in focus on the film. Regardless of how the focus of a particular lens is adjusted, most ofthe motion-film cameras used today allow the cameraman to view the image through the lens (i.e., in an SLR manner). Most of the above-described focusing systems are limited in that they are designed to focus an image evenly across the field of view as centered about a lens pupil (or a center axis). Furthermore, the focus of a lens is dependent on the depth of field of the particular lens. In turn, the depth of field is affected by the lens aperture , the focal length of the lens, and the distance between the camera and the subject. For example, a telephoto lens (having a large focal length) will yield a short depth of field (or depth of focus), resulting in only a portion of an object in the field of view being in sharp focus. In contrast, the depth of field of a wide angle lens (having a relatively short focal length) is close to infinite resulting in all objects in the field of view (foreground and background) being in sharp focus. To this end, should a director wish to create a mood or mystique within a particular shot, by softening or de-focusing part of an image, for example, only foreground actors while maintaining a mid- ground subject in focus, the director would be restricted to lenses having mid to long focal lengths (e.g., telephoto) to obtain the desired selective de-focusing affect. Unfortunately, lenses with long focal lengths require a minimum focusing distance, typically between 10 and 20 feet. To achieve the desired selective de-focusing affect, the director must now position the camera at least 10 feet from the subject. This minimum focusing distance requirement may not easily be met depending on the particular scene being shot. For example, the scene may be located within an elevator or a submarine, or any other close-quartered environment wherein the minimum focusing distance requirement cannot be achieved without building a "specialized movie set", or using soft-focusing techniques. A common effects technique used in both still and motion photography to selectively de-focus or soften selective regions of a particular scene includes the use of a translucent medium, such as tissue paper, petroleum jelly or a frosted glass plate. The technique includes applying the translucent medium directly to (or positioning it in front of) the camera lens. The translucent medium effectively diffuses a select portion or region of image light entering the camera so that the resulting recorded image is softened and selected detail is diluted. Although this de-focusing technique is somewhat effective at creating soft, de- focused regions of an image frame, the technique requires substantial setup time prior to shooting, and substantial clean-up time after the shoot. Also, the technique is difficult to control accurately in selecting exact image regions to de-focus, and is further difficult to reproduce when a re-shoot is necessary. Another technique available to photographers to de-focus or otherwise soften selected regions of an image frame includes a "shift and tilt" mechanism which pivotally connects a lens to a camera body. The shift and tilt mechanism allows a lens to both pivot and laterally shift with respect to a central optical camera axis, thus enabling a controlled distortion of selected regions of an image frame (to "shift" the lens means to slide it parallel to the viewfinder image, while keeping the lens' optical axis at right angles to the film plane). By tilting the lens up or down (or left or right), photographers can change the angle between the optical axis and the film plane. This lets the photographer modify the plane of focus in the resulting photographs to get a variety of effects. One such effect is the ability for the photographer to focus just a specific part of the subject. A shift and tilt mechanism is used in most large format cameras and is available (as an attachment) for use with motion picture cameras. The mechanism is difficult to use and is subject to unwanted distortion, unless any of a limited number of dedicated lenses are used, which severely limits the director's creativity and control. Also, the regional focus-control offered by the shift and tilt mechanism is limited to single peripheral regions ofthe image frame, not multiple internally located regions, such as a central region. Photography, like any other art, is a form of communication. Traditionally, the photographer uses a camera to record an image onto silver-emulsion film. The resulting recorded image is a showing ofthe photographer's inteφretation ofthe real world - a kind of blend between reality and imagination. Today's advances in computer-aided digital imaging have introduced a powerful new art medium which offers pixel-manipulating tools and special effects and which enables the "digital artist" or computer graphic artist to introduce various effects to an inputted photographic image, or create photo-real images completely from his or her imagination. Photographs, drawings, and other planar art work may now be easily converted from the analog real world into the digitized computer world by simply scanning the art work into a computer using an appropriate scanner. During the conversion process, the image is divided into a rectangular grid or array made up of picture elements called pixels. Each pixel, by definition is a single solid color throughout. Once stored in the digital format, the color value of each pixel (RGB components 1-255) ofthe inputted image maybe changed to any different value to effectively alter the digitized image, according to the imagination of the computer graphic artist. The resulting manipulated image is called digital art. There are several well known digital imaging software programs commercially available today. Among these programs is one called PhotoShop® available by Adobe Systems® Inc. of Mountain View, California. PhotoShop® is specifically designed to manipulate and alter digitized photographic images and offers a variety of special effects "filters" including blurring, diffusing, embossing, extruding, fragmenting, lens-flaring, pointillizing, solarizing, tilting, crystalizing, faceting, rippling, shearing, spherizing, as well as introducing mosaic patterns, twirling effects, wave effects and zigzaging. Unfortunately, the downside to offering so many image effects is that the PhotoShop® program becomes very complex and is difficult to use by all but the trained artisan. In addition to the standard PhotoShop® program, many companies including Adobe Systems, Inc. offer plugins and other supplemental software which may be used in combination with the main PhotoShop® program to offer even more special effects, such as magnification, crazing, and droplet effects. In using the PhotoShop® program, a graphic artist usually begins by downloading or otherwise inputting a picture image, perhaps by downloading a picture from the computer's hard drive, a memory disc, from the Internet, directly from a digital camera, or scanning in a photograph or other planar art work using an electronic scanner. Once the photograph, for example, is digitized and loaded within the computer's hard drive, the pixels making up the photograph may be manipulated and altered either individually, or in selective groups. The graphic artist may use a mouse selector and a "lasso" function of PhotoShop® to manually trace a particular feature of the picture, such as a woman's hat. PhotoShop® also provides a feature called "a magic wand" or "wanding" for automatically locating pixels that have a common color shade (i.e., pixels that have color values that are within a range of color components). The level of precision (or how narrow the range of color commonality is) may be controlled by the graphic artist or program user. Once an object ofthe image, such as "a hat" has been selected, either by using the lasso or the magic wand features ofthe PhotoShop® program, the selected pixels making up the hat, in this example may be altered in a desired manner to introduce any of a variety of effects, such as a uniform color change or introducing a mosaic pattern or texture. The resulting "hat" pixels may be altered without affecting the pixels of the remaining photographic image, i.e., those located outside ofthe selected "hat" region. Once the changes to the hat are complete, the graphic artist may then select another element or feature ofthe photographic image and change those groups of pixels in a similar manner until the digitized artwork is complete. Unfortunately, while using PhotoShop®, the graphic artist must manually select each object within the image using either the "lasso" feature or the "magic wand" feature, and then manually select an appropriate texture for each selected region. The selection procedure can be time consuming and tedious because commonly, any photograph may include many elements which would be considered different "regions". During the effects procedure, each of these elements would have to be individually selected using the mouse, prior to a texture or an effect being applied. Often, the different elements of a photograph are complex in shape and require great skill to trace in order to accurately select the particular region. A professional graphic artist would have little difficulty using PhotoShop® to alter selected regions of a photograph. Regardless of the user's skill, however, the time consuming region selection procedure can not be avoided. Owing in part to the complexity and cost of digital imaging software programs, such as PhotoShop®, the average photographer is discouraged from experiencing this new art medium of graphically manipulating photographs. The digital imaging software programs are very expensive and require intensive training before a user can comfortably utilize the program's features. Accordingly, there is a need for a digital imaging software program to automatically perform complex pixel manipulations to an inputted photographic image. There is also a need for a simple program that can quickly and easily modify a photographic image to one that appears to have been painted - effectively creating paintings from photographs. Summary ofthe Invention In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a transparent plate mounted at the film plane within a camera. The transparent plate has a translucent diffusion pattern which diffuses incoming light rays reflected from the subject and effectively repositions them in a controlled manner prior to their exposure on film. Proposed diffusion patterns may alter the light rays to create characteristics indicative of various types of paintings. In a related embodiment, the transparent plate includes a specific light- modifying pattern which effectively introduces optically-generated grain effects to an image being recorded on film. A method is also disclosed for making the "grain" pattern on the transparent plate including the steps of: selecting a specific size abrasive particles to be used in a particle or sand blasting machine; sand blasting a clear transparent plate using compressed air and the selected abrasive particles so that the transparent plate is etched or abraded with the abrasive particles, and cleaning the transparent plate to remove excess particles. In another embodiment of the invention, the transparent plate having the translucent diffusion pattern is mounted in a film cartridge. In another embodiment ofthe invention, a length of plastic film (a pattern strip) is positioned adjacent to a similar length of photographic film (film strip). An appropriate translucent diffusion pattern is provided onto one surface ofthe pattern strip, along its entire length. Both strips are rolled into a conventional 35 mm film canister and dispensed simultaneously, as needed (within the camera) so that each frame of film has a separate mask in front of it, at the film gate ofthe camera. In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent plate having a translucent diffusion pattern is positioned between the main lens of the camera, and the camera body. In this arrangement, a correcting lens is required to bring the pattern of the particular pattern into shaφ focus with the image at the film plane to be exposed on film. In another embodiment of the invention, an LCD is mounted in front of the film of a camera and is used to compensate for specific regions of an image before the image light exposes the film. The LCD assembly is preferably self-contained, self-powered and attachable to the camera between the camera body and a lens. In another embodiment of the invention, a number of transparent members, each having a different translucent diffusion pattern is slidably moveable between a stowed position which is remote from the film gate ofthe camera, and a film gate position wherein one or more transparent members are positioned within the film gate, between the film and the camera's lens. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a disposable SLR-type camera includes a pivotal mirror located between the camera's lens and eyepiece that may be rotated to a first position wherein incoming light from an image is directed to the eyepiece, and a second position wherein the incoming light is directed to film. The rotatable mirror may function as a light modifier and may be easily replaced with other modifiers. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a modifier coupler assembly is positioned between a camera body and a conventional lens, and includes a primary lens assembly, a secondary relay lens using planar micro-lenslet arrays, a second (intermediate) focal plane and a modifier receiving slot for receiving modifiers to effect an image at the secondary focal plane. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the above-described modifier coupler includes a tillable primary lens assembly and a tillable modifier, as controlled by the photographer to impart additional effects to the incoming image light. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a focusing system is provided which uses a transparent image screen located at the second focal plane. The image screen receives image light entering the camera and relays the light to the primary focal plane (i.e., the film plane). According to the invention, the image screen may be selectively physically distorted so that select regions ofthe image screen extend beyond the depth of field ofthe secondary focal plane. This controlled distortion ofthe image plane results in corresponding regions ofthe captured image to become de-focused. The captured de- focused image is then transposed to the primary focal plane. According to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, a method of creating a modifier having a texture which replicates to a predetermined degree the artistic style used to create an existing drawing, pattern, sketch, or painting. The method includes using a laser to scan a particular artwork (drawing, pattern, sketch, or painting) into a computer, storing the information digitally in electronic memory, digitally extracting predetermined aspects of the artist's style including stroke length, width, shape, and weight (or force), digitally manipulating the style information, and using the information to control an engraving machine to reproduce the style ofthe artist as general texture in a modifier, for later use in a camera. According to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, a method for applying "painting" effects to a digitized image includes a step of creating a bitmap from an inputted digitized image wherein color values are assigned to each pixel in the image. The method then compares the color values of each pixel in the bitmap and determines "pixel- commonality" which defines "working regions". The method then applies a predetermined texture to each working region from a database of textures. The particular texture selected is dependent on the particular artist or painting style chosen by the user. After the method displays the altered image (the image having the applied textures), the user may decide whether to save the altered image, or to have the method "re-paint" the original image. The method can "re-paint" the image by automatically changing predetermined parameters or default settings used to define working regions and/or the type and intensity ofthe applied textures. Another method of the invention is similar to the above-described method, except that an additional step of measuring the area of each working region is performed just after the working regions have been defined. After the areas of each working region are determined, the method here applies a predetermined texture to each working region according to their measured area. As before, the altered image is displayed and selectively printed, and the user has an opportunity to select as an input a particular artist or painting era. A third method ofthe invention includes the step of creating a bitmap from an inputted digitized image wherein color values are assigned to each pixel in the image. This method then compares the color values of each pixel in the bitmap and determines "pixel- commonality" which defines "working regions". The method then highlights each defined working region and displays the altered image (the image having the highlighted working regions) to the user. The user may input a selection of one or more working regions which all make up a particular part ofthe image, such as the foreground ofthe image. The user may again also input a selected artist or painting era. The method here then applies a predetermined texture to each working region from a database of textures. The particular texture selected is dependent on the particular artist or painting style chosen by the user and the selected foreground working regions. After the method displays the altered image (the image having the applied textures), the image may be saved in an appropriate memory and printed out. A fourth method ofthe invention includes the step of creating a bitmap from an inputted digitized image wherein color values are assigned to each pixel in the image. This method then compares the color values of each pixel in the bitmap and determines "pixel- commonality" which defines "working regions". The method then uses the bitmap to define "edge regions" which are located a predetermined distance from the edges of each working region. After the user may input a selected artist or painting era, the method here then applies a predetermined texture to each working region from a database of textures. The particular texture selected is dependent on the particular artist or painting style chosen by the user. The method then applies a paint-stroke texture to each edge region according to the direction and location ofthe edge of each working region. After the method displays the altered image (the image having the applied textures), the image may be saved in an appropriate memory and printed out. Brief Description ofthe Drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a single lens reflex (SLR) camera showing a film strip, an optical modifier plate, a film plane, a lens assembly, and incident light rays, in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 2a is a plan view of an optical modifier, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 2b is a side view ofthe optical modifier of Fig. 2a; Fig. 2c is a cross sectional side view of a camera film gate showing the optical modifier of Fig. 2b in position within the film gate; Fig. 3 is a partially sectional front view of a film cassette employing a optical modifier plate, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 4 is a partially sectional top view ofthe film cassette shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front partial view of a film strip, optical modifier strip, and film bobbin, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of a camera with the film strip, optical modifier strip and film bobbin of Fig. 5 in an operative position; Fig. 7 is a rear view ofthe camera shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a partial side sectional view, taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7, showing details ofthe film strip and the optical modifier strip at a film plane ofthe camera; Fig. 9 is a sectional rear view of a camera showing an optical modifier cartridge in a non-operative position, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a sectional rear view of the camera of Fig. 9 showing the optical modifier cartridge in an operative position, in front ofthe film gate; Fig. 11 is a partial top sectional view, taken along the lines 11-11 of Fig. 10, showing details of the film strip and the optical modifier cartridge at the film plane of the camera; Fig. 12 is partial side sectional view, taken along the lines 12-12 of Fig. 11, showing details of film strip guides and the optical modifier cartridge (inserted); Fig. 13 is a sectional side view of a modifier holder connected between a camera body and a lens assembly (both shown in phantom), in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 14 is a partial sectional side view ofthe modifier holder of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a partial sectional view ofthe modifier holder of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a top view of a disposable camera showing an optical modifier assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 17 is a partial sectional plan view of the camera and optical modifier assembly of Fig. 16, taken along the lines 17-17 of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a partial sectional top view ofthe optical modifier assembly of Fig. 16, showing details ofthe optical modifier assembly, taken along 18-18 of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a partial sectional front view of an optical modifier, in accordance with yet another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig.20 is a partial sectional view ofthe optical modifier of Fig. 19, taken along the lines 20-20 of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a sectional view of an optical modifier holder, in accordance with yet another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 22 is a partial sectional view of the optical modifier holder of Fig. 21, taken along the lines 22-22 of Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is a representative illustration of a photograph showing two flowers; Fig. 24 is a representative illustration of a photograph showing two flowers whose image light has been diffused by one ofthe optical modifiers, in accordance with the invention; Fig. 25 is a representative illustration of a photograph showing two flowers whose image light has been diffused by another optical modifiers, in accordance with the invention; Fig. 26 is a front view of an optical modifier turret assembly, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 27 is a sectional side view ofthe modifier shown in Fig. 26, taken along the lines 27-27; Fig.28 is partially sectional front view of a modifier disc, taken along the lines 28-28 of Fig. 27; Fig. 29a is a sectional view of a camera, according to another embodiment of the invention, showing a film gate and two pivotal modifiers located in a stowed position; Fig.29b is a sectional view ofthe camera of Fig. 29a, showing a first modifier located in the stowed position and the second modifier located within the film gate; Fig. 29c is a sectional side view of the camera of Fig. 29a, showing the first modifier within the film gate and the second modifier located in the stowed position, according to the invention; Fig. 30a is a partial sectional rear view of a camera, according to another embodiment of the invention, showing a film gate, film, rails, and a first and second modifiers, located in a stowed position remote from the film gate; Fig. 30b is a top view schematic ofthe film gate region ofthe camera of Fig. 30a, showing the first and second modifiers located in the stowed position, remote from the film gate; Fig. 3 la is a partial sectional rear view ofthe camera of Fig. 30a, showing the first modifier located within the film gate; Fig. 3 lb is a top view schematic ofthe film gate region ofthe camera of Fig. 31a, showing the first modifier located in the film gate and the second modifier located in the stowed position; Fig. 32a is a partial sectional rear view ofthe camera of Fig. 30a, showing the second modifier located within the film gate; Fig. 32b is a top view schematic ofthe film gate region ofthe camera of Fig. 32a, showing the second modifier located within the film gate and the first modifier located in the stowed position, according to the invention; Fig. 33 is a schematic of a single-use SLR-type camera, according to another embodiment ofthe invention, showing a pivotal mirror located in a viewing position; Fig. 33b is a schematic ofthe camera of Fig. 33a, showing the pivotal mirror re-positioning from the viewing position to an exposing position, according to the invention; Fig. 33c is a schematic ofthe camera of Fig. 33a, showing the pivotal mirror located in the exposing position, according to the invention; Fig. 34 is a schematic of a camera, according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Figs. 35a-b are illustrative schematics of the camera of Fig. 34, including a sample image as it is seen by various elements within the camera; Fig. 36 is a schematic of a modifier assembly, according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 37 is a sectional side view of a camera, according to another embodiment ofthe invention, including the modifier assembly of Fig. 36 located within the camera; Fig. 38 is a schematic of a modifier assembly, according to another embodiment ofthe invention, including three different modifiers; Figs. 39a-39c are examples of a distortion pattern located on each of the modifiers of Fig. 38, respectively, and according to the invention; Fig. 40 is a side view of a camera, according to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, including a lens attachment; Fig. 41 is a sectional view ofthe lens attachment of Fig. 40, according to the invention; Figs. 42a-42c are examples of image distortion using the lens attachment of Figs. 40-41; Fig. 43 is a perspective view of a modifier and a vibration generator located along X, Y, and Z axes, according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 44 is a sectional side view of a camera including a modifier coupler, showing details of a relay lens assembly, according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 45 is a rear view ofthe modifier coupler shown in Fig. 44, according to the invention; Fig. 45a is a plan view of an actuator that allows rotational movement of modifiers positioned within modifier coupler of Fig. 44, according to the invention; Fig. 46a-e is a front view of exemplary modifiers, according to the invention; Figs 47a is a front view of a prism modifier, according to another embodiment of the invention; Figs. 47b-c are side views of the prism modifier of Fig. 47a showing operational details, according to the invention; Fig. 48 is a front view of a displaceable modifier cartridge, showing vibration generators, and an inserted modifier, according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 49a is a front view of the displaceable modifier cartridge, shown empty (no inserted modifier), according to the invention; Figs.49b-e are front views of exemplary modifiers, accordingto the invention; Figs. 50a-f are illustrative side views of a modifier coupler, according to another embodiment ofthe invention, showing a tillable primary lens assembly and a tillable modifier; Fig. 51 is a rear view of a camera showing details of a film-transport assembly including edge rails, film slides, a film gate, and a shutter; Fig. 52 is the same view of Fig. 51 but includes a modifier positioned across the film gate ofthe camera, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 53 is a plan view of a series of modifiers, according to the invention, showing various grain effects and a corresponding enlargement showing details of a grain- effect texture; Fig. 54 is a side view of a camera lens and a de-focusing coupler according to another embodiment ofthe invention, showing an exemplary de- focused image recorded on film (shown as a developed positive image); Fig. 55 is a side view of a motion-picture type camera, a lens, and an inteφosed de-focusing coupler, according to the invention; Fig. 56 is a is a plan view of a camera having a body, a lens, and an LCD exposure compensating module, according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 57 illustrates a typical computer system that may be used to practice the present invention, including computer data-input peripherals, memory devices, output peripherals, and various tangible image formats; Fig. 58 is an exemplary original digital image of a woman jogging in the foreground and showing trees and plants in the midground, foreground, and background; Fig. 59 is an exemplary altered digital image ofthe image of Fig. 58, showing applied textures to various working regions ofthe image; Fig. 60 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary digital imaging process according to one method ofthe present invention; Fig. 61 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary digital imaging process according to a second method ofthe present invention; Fig. 62 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary digital imaging process according to a third method ofthe present invention; Fig. 63 is a digital image of a woman's head and upper body, showing examples of "working regions" and "edge regions", according to the invention; Fig. 64 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary digital imaging process according to a fourth method ofthe invention; and Figs. 65 and 66 are each exemplary illustrations of a computer screen of a computer running the present digital imaging process, wherein an original digital image may be compare with a first altered image and thereafter replaced with a second altered image, as controlled by the user. Detail Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, a camera 10 (such as an SLR) is shown having a camera body 12, a lens assembly 14 attached to a front side ofthe camera body 12, and a frame of film 16 shown in cross section at a film gate 18 (see also, Fig 2c). An optical modifier 20, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, is positioned in front of the film 16 within the film gate 18. The specific structures of both the film gate 18 and the shutter mechanism 19 ofthe camera 10 are conventional and are therefore not shown in full detail. In this embodiment, the shutter mechanism 19 is located in front of (i.e., closer to) the lens 14, the modifier 20 and, of course, the frame of film 16. The modifier 20, described in greater detail below, is sized and shaped to fit within the film gate 18 between the film 16 and the shutter ofthe camera 10. A conventional, spring-loaded, film pusher plate 21 which is usually mounted to the inside surface ofthe door (not shown) ofthe camera (used to access the film) lightly pushes the film flat across the film gate 18, and adjacent a rear surface ofthe modifier 20. Referring to Figs. 2a through 2c, the modifier 20, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention includes a transparent plate 22 and a diffusion pattern 24. The transparent plate 22 is preferably shaped to include a raised (or thicker) center section 26 which defines two (thinner) edge sections 28. The edge sections 28 are designed to contact portions ofthe camera positioned adjacent to the film gate 18 to hold the entire modifier 20 in the camera with the center section positioned within the film gate 18 ofthe camera 10, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 2c. The diffusion pattern 24 functions as a translucent mask by diffusing and distorting the incident light prior to it reaching and exposing the film. The diffusion pattern 24 preferably does not prevent the light from reaching the film (i.e., the pattern is not opaque). The transparent plate 22 ofthe modifier 20 is preferably made from an optical-grade plastic, however, optical grade glass may also be used. The diffusion pattern 24 is preferably formed on a rear surface 30 (facing the film 16 when installed in the camera 10) of the transparent plate 22. A preferred method of forming the diffusion pattern 24 is to emboss the particular pattern (or its negative or reverse) into the rear surface of the plastic transparent plate 22. A reverse pattern is first machined into a stamping surface of a hard material. The plastic transparent plate 22 is then softened (by using flameless heat, such as steam or electric filament or through the use of other indirect heating) and pressed against the stamping surface so that the pattern is transformed into the rear surface ofthe plastic plate 22, thereby creating the diffusion pattern 24. When incident light rays pass through the modifier 20 and strike a portion of the diffusion pattern 24, the particular rays are scattered or diffused somewhat randomly, but are not blocked, prior to the light reaching and exposing the film. The diffusion pattern 24 effectively distorts the incoming light, and therefore also the image, in a controlled manner. The distortion of the image follows the particular diffusion pattern 24 which is discernable, because the transparent plate 22 and the pattern 24 are both located at the film plane (also called the focal plane) and are in soft focus (not shaφ). The pattern 24 appears somewhat softened (not in shaφ focus) because although the pattern 24 is effectively at the point of focus, the pattern 24 is not a mask (not opaque), but a light diffuser which disperses the incident light by a small amount just before it reaches and exposes the film. This controlled dispersion ofthe light aids in achieving the desired special effect to the exposed image, as discussed below. It is preferable that the modifier 20 be located as close to the surface ofthe film as physically possible. If the modifier 20 is the type which is stationary with respect to the camera, as shown in Figs. 2a-2c and discussed above, it is preferable that the modifier not make contact with the film, to avoid unwanted scratches as the film is advanced. There are several embodiments for positioning the modifier 20 within the film gate 18 and adjacent to the focal plane of a camera. These are described as follows, referring to Figs. 3 through 14. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, an optical modifier 32 in accordance with the invention is incoφorated into the structure of an otherwise convention film cassette 34 (typically referred to as film-type 120). The cassette 34 includes a film supply section 36, a film pick-up section 38, and a connecting portion 40 connecting the film supply section 36 with the film pick-up section 38. The connecting portion 40 includes an integral film gate 42 which aligns with the film gate of the camera (not shown) which is adapted to receive the cassette 34. The modifier 32, in this embodiment, is preferably positioned (during manufacture ofthe cassette 34) within the structure which makes up the connecting portion 40 so that it lies across the film gate 42 and adjacent the film 16. The modifier 32, as in the above-described embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2a-2c, includes a specific diffusion pattern 24. The position of the modifier 32 forces all light passing through the film gate 42 to also pass through the modifier and become slightly diffused prior to the light reaching and exposing the film 16. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a modifier 50, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown. Here, the modifier 50 takes the form of a thin translucent plastic strip (similar to the substrate material used in photographic film). The strip modifier 50 is affixed to the inside surface 52 (emulsion side) of an otherwise conventional roll of film 16 (type 35 mm). Both the film 16 and the affixed strip modifier 50 are rolled up together into the standard film canister (not shown) using the standard spool 54. It is preferred that the strip modifier 50 be attached only at selected points 56 such as the ends ofthe strip modifier 50 or perhaps between each frame (not shown) using a heat bond or an appropriate adhesive. Although film 16 is shown as a 35 mm format, film 16 may be of any film format, including 120, 220, 4x5, 110, and POLAROE)™-type film paper. In this later format, modifier 50 is attached to or is positioned across from each sheet of film/paper and is removed after exposure and development ofthe particular image. Fig. 6 illustrates (in cross-section) a conventional SLR camera 10 (similar to the camera 10 shown in Fig. 1), having the film 16 of Fig. 5 installed. The strip modifier 50 is shown positioned in front ofthe film 16 (closer to the lens 14) and across the film gate 18. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate an optical modifier 60 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention which is similar to the modifier shown in Figs. 2a-2c and discussed above. However, in this embodiment, the modifier 60 is the same size ofthe film gate 18, i.e., the modifier 60 does not include the edge sections 28. The modifier 60 is positioned permanently within the film gate 18 using an appropriate adhesive, for example. The modifier 60 may also snap into place within the film gate 18 using a close tolerance fit or appropriate ridges and/or detents. The modifier 60 shown in this embodiment is especially useful for disposable type cameras. Referring to Figs. 9 through 12, yet another optical modifier 70 in accordance with the invention is shown. The modifier 70 is mounted into the frame structure of a cartridge 72. The cartridge 72 is a thin plate which is adapted to be inserted into a slot 74 located in a camera 76. The camera 76 is either specially made with the slot 74 or a replaceable camera back (not shown) may be provided having a slot 74. In either case, the slot 74 positions the cartridge 72 so that the modifier 70 (mounted within the cartridge 72) aligns into a position between the film gate 18 and the film 16, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. One of a variety of cartridges 72 (each having a different modifier 70) maybe inserted into the slot 74. Each cartridge 72 preferably includes a handle which remains accessible when the cartridge 72 is inserted into the slot 74. The slot 74 and/or the insertable cartridge 72 includes an appropriate light-barrier to prevent unwanted light from entering the camera through the slot opening and exposing the film. Referring to Figs. 13 through 15, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a modifier coupler 80 is positioned between the camera body 12 and the lens assembly 14. The modifier coupler 80 couples the lens assembly 14 to the camera body 12 and passes the incoming light from the lens assembly 14 to the film gate 18 of the camera 10. The modifier coupler 80 includes an image plane 82, a primary lens assembly 84, a secondary lens assembly 86, a modifier receiving slot 88, and a filter receiving slot 90. In this particular embodiment, each of several different modifiers 20 is mounted to a plate 92. Several selected plates 92 are mounted to a plate holder 94, as shown inFig. 14. The plate holder 94 is adapted to be mounted to the modifier coupler 80, adjacent the modifier receiving slot 88. The plate holder 94 is mounted so that it may slide relative the modifier coupler 80 in such a manner that allows any selected one ofthe several plates 92 held in the plate holder 94 to align with the modifier receiving slot 88. The selected plate 92, once aligned with the modifier receiving slot 88, maybe moved into the modifier coupler 80 so that the selected modifier 20 aligns with the path of incoming light from the lens assembly 14. A selected plate 92 is shown in an inserted position in Figs. 14 and 15. Other light modifiers such as conventional filters may be inserted into the filter receiving slot 90. As light enters the lens assembly 14, the internal lenses ofthe lens assembly 14 and the primary lens assembly 84 will focus the reflected light of a subject onto the image plane 82 of the coupler 80 (the image will be inverted). The inverted image is modified by the selected modifier 20 located at the image plane 82. From here the secondary lens assembly 86 re-focuses the image (and uprights the image) onto the film plane which is located at the film gate 18 ofthe camera 10. An important feature ofthe invention, as shown in each of the above-described embodiments, is that the modifier 20, however it is introduced into the image light path, is located as close as possible to the focal plane ofthe camera 10 regardless of the location of the focal plane with respect to the film plane. As illustrated in the above embodiment (Figs. 13-15), although a single focal plane is usually located at the film plane, it is possible to create two effective focal planes, one located a prescribed distance from the film plane towards the subject, the other located at the film plane 18. According to another embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that camera 10 of Fig. 13 includes a prism (not shown) or an appropriate splitting mirror (not shown) positioned within coupler 80, and a CCD type image sensor (not shown). With this arrangement, image light entering lens 14 is projected to the emulsion film at the film plane ( ) and simultaneously to the CCD image sensor. Appropriate electronics support and cooperate with the CCD image sensor so that the received image light may be stored in appropriate electronic memory and later downloaded to a computer for display and further manipulation. The image sensor and the supporting circuitry used with this arrangement can be similar to that used with conventional digital cameras. The image light can be split either before or after passing tlirough modifier 20. Referring to Figs. 16-18, a camera 100 having an optical modifier assembly 102 is shown, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention. The camera 100, in this particular embodiment is intended to be a disposable type made using relatively inexpensive parts and including a built-in supply of film. The camera 100 in this embodiment, of course may likewise be a non-disposable type. The camera 100 includes a camera body 104 having a front face 106 and a lens aperture 108. The commercially available conventional disposable camera (i.e., one not including the modifier assembly of this invention) includes a lens (not shown) mounted within the lens aperture 108. The conventional lens (not shown) focuses a subject located in front of the camera, onto a frame of film located at the film plane (located in the rear of the camera). During the manufacture of these disposable cameras 100, applicant contemplates replacing the conventional lens (not shown) with the optical modifier assembly 102. As shown in cross-section in Fig. 18, the optical modifier assembly 102 includes a first outer lens 110 located farthest from the film plane, and a second inner lens 112 located adjacent the front face 106 ofthe camera 100. An optical modifier 114 is located and movable within a plane lying between the inner and outer lenses (112, 110) and parallel to the film plane of the camera 100. The outer lens 110 focuses the light reflected off a subject located in front of the camera onto an intermediate focal plane 115. The inner lens 112 focuses the image located at the intermediate focal plane 115 onto the film plane. It is desirable to position the optical modifier 114 close to the intermediate focal plane so that the distortion applied to the light from the subject may be recorded on film in shaφ focus (that is, as focused as the diffusion ofthe passing light through the modifier will allow). As shown in Fig. 17, the optical modifier 114 is mounted to an arm 116. The arm 116 is pivotally connected to a housing 118 of the optical modifier assembly 102. A portion of the arm 116 is accessible to the user of the camera 100 and may be displaced, moving the optical modifier 114 between a stowed position (shown in Fig. 17 in dashed lines) wherein the incoming light passes directly to the film and is not otherwise distorted (except by the lenses), and an interference position wherein the optical modifier 114 is located in the path ofthe light (shown in Fig. 17, in solid lines). Referring to Figs. 19-20, a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, as applied to disposable cameras, is shown, wherein the optical modifier 114 is mounted along the edge of a disc 120. The disc 120 is pivotally attached to the body ofthe camera 100 at a central pivot point 122. The disc 120 includes several peripheral openings 124 which include one of several different optical modifiers 114 for achieving different effects. The disc 120 is mounted so that any one ofthe openings 124 may be positioned in front ofthe lens aperture 108. The operator ofthe camera 100 may select a particular effect by rotating the disc 120 until the appropriate optical modifier 114 aligns with the lens aperture 108. A lever 126 may be provided for assisting in the rotation ofthe disc 120. Also, an indicator (not shown) may be included to point to indicia located on the face ofthe camera body, for example, indicating the particular effects in use. Referring to Figs. 21-22, another embodiment of the invention is shown wherein the optical modifier 114 is mounted onto an elongated panel 128. The panel 128 include two parallel internal edges 130 which define an elongated window. Several sliding plates 132 are slidably positioned between the two edges 130. The panel 128 is mounted to the front face ofthe camera 100 so that each plate 132 may be selectively moved between a stowed position and a usable position, located in front ofthe lens aperture 108. Each plate 132 includes an opening 134 across which lies one of several different optical modifiers 114. Each plate 132 preferably includes an accessible handle 136 which may be grasped by the camera operator to move the plates 132 with respect to the lens aperture 108, as necessary. As way of example, a representation of a non-modified photograph (of two flowers) is shown in Fig. 23. One puφose ofthe invention is to modify the image of a subject (i.e., the light reflected from the subject entering the camera) to introduce visual characteristics indicative of a painting. One particular optical modifier 114 modifies the image to introduce an impressionistic appearance, as shown in Fig. 24. Here, all the detail is distorted, yet the image remains substantially in focus. Another optical modifier 114 introduces a "craquelure" effect (typical of old oil-base paintings) to the original flower image so that the resulting print resembles Fig. 25. Of course, a variety of painting characteristics may be introduced as an optical modifier or effect using the modifiers ofthe present invention. Another embodiment, similar to the one shown in Figs. 19 and 20 and described above, is shown in Figs. 26-28 and includes a modifier housing 200, a modifier turret 202, and a primary-lens housing 204. The modifier housing 200 is preferably formed integrally with a face of a disposable-type camera 206, yet could also be formed separately and adapted to attach to a face of any camera 206 to be used as a camera attachment. The modifier housing 200 includes a front wall 208 and an aperture 210 which is aligned with the primary-lens aperture 212 ofthe camera 206. A secondary-lens tube 214 is located behind the front wall 20 and preferably includes an appropriate lens (not shown) which is designed to re- focus an image located at an intermediate focal plane 216 onto the film. The intermediate focal plane 216 is preferably located just in front of the front wall 208, at the location of the modifier turret 202. As shown in Fig. 27, the modifier turret 202 is pivotally connected to a portion ofthe modifier housing 200 at a pivot pin 218. The modifier turret 202 is rotatable about the pivot pin 218. The primary-lens housing 204 is preferably fixed relative to the camera 206 and the modifier housing 200 by the pivot pin 218 or by being formed integrally with (or otherwise connected to) the camera 206. The primary-lens housing 204 supports a primary lens 220. The primary lens 220 is designed to focus the incoming light reflected from an image in front ofthe camera to the intermediate focal plane 216. The primary lens 220 may be mounted in a primary-lens tube 222. The modifier turret 202 includes at least two openings 224, as shown in Fig. 28. One opening 224 may include an optical modifier 226, for example. The other opening (or openings) shown in Fig. 28, may be left open, include a clear element 227 or a translucent element having a frosted surface or include another optical modifier element. Other variations of the modifier turret are possible including several different modifiers such as one for producing "craquelure", impressionism, or other painting-related effects. As shown in Fig.28, the modifier turret 202 preferably further includes indicia 228 or other indication of the type of modifier (or lack thereof) in use. The primary-lens housing 204 may further include an indicator opening 230 which aligns with the indicia printed on the modifier turret 202 so that an operator may view the indicia 228 to learn which modifier, if any, is located in the path of incoming light and will effect the film. The turret 202 further includes a rubber O-ring 232 along its periphery to ensure high friction for positive gripping while being rotated by an operator. The O-ring is shown in Fig. 27. Other gripping peripheral surfaces include a roughened edge (not shown) and serrations 234 shown in Fig. 28, in place ofthe rubber O-ring 232 of Fig. 27. In operation, the operator rotates the modifier turret 202 while viewing indicia 228 through the indicator opening 230 until a desired modifier effect is indicated. When the appropriate modifying effect is indicated through the indicator opening 230, the modifier will be in position in front ofthe primary lens 220 and will effect the film accordingly. Referring to Figs. 29a-29c, a camera 300, according to another embodiment ofthe invention includes a body 302, a lens assembly 304, an eyepiece 306, a film gate 308, a first pivotally mounted modifier 310 pivotal about a first pivot point 311 and a second pivotally mounted modifier 312 pivotal about a second pivot point 313. For clarity, only two modifiers 310, 312 are shown in this embodiment. Depending on the type of camera and the mechanism used to displace each modifier, four or more modifiers may be implemented with this embodiment. Each modifier is pivotal between a stowed position wherein incoming light entering camera 300 through lens assembly 304 is not interrupted, allowing the light to reach film (not shown) located within film gate 308, when the shutter (not shown) is open. Fig.29a shows both modifiers 310, 312 in the stowed position, in which case, camera 300 will function similar to a conventional camera in that unmodified pictures will be recorded on film. Fig.29b shows second modifier 312 located within or just adjacent to film gate 308 (and also in front of the shutter and the film), while first modifier 310 remains in the stowed position. With this arrangement, image light entering camera 300 through lens assembly 304 must pass through the transparent (or translucent) modifier 312 prior to reaching the film. Therefore, the image light is altered by second modifier 312, as described earlier in this application. Fig. 29c shows first modifier 310 located within or just adjacent to film gate 308 (and also in front ofthe shutter and the film), while second modifier 312 is relocated back to stowed position. With this arrangement, image light entering camera 300 through lens assembly 304 must pass through modifier 310 prior to reaching the film (when the shutter opens). Each modifier 310, 312, is preferably spring biased to its stowed position, as shown in Fig. 29a, and must be mechanically pivoted to its film gate position, shown in Figs. 29b and 29c. Any appropriate mechanism may be used to pivot either or both modifiers between their stowed and film gate positions, as would be known to those skilled in the art. In operation, the operator of camera 300 selects a subject for recording on film and then selects if the image should be modified, for example to appear like a painting, and which type of modifier (already installed in camera 300) should be used. If no modifier is to be used, camera 300 may operate in a conventional manner, however, if it is desired to deploy a modifier 310, 312, from its stowed position to the film gate position, an appropriate actuator located on camera 300 maybe activated to mechanically or electro-mechanically pivot either (or both) modifier(s) 310, 312 from its stowed position, against the action ofthe spring bias, to the film gate position. Appropriate electronics and software may be used to automatically return each deployed modifier back to its stowed position after each picture is taken. Referring to Figs. 30a-32b, a camera 400, according to another embodiment ofthe invention includes a body 402, a film gate 404, film 406, a first modifier 408, a second modifier 410, rails 412, and a shutter 414. This embodiment is similar to the one described above and shown in Figs.29a- 29c, except that the modifiers here are slidably mounted to body 402, not pivotally mounted as in the earlier embodiment. According to this embodiment, each modifier 408, 410 is slidably mounted to rails 412 that are positioned on opposing sides of film gate 404 and extend to a location within body 402 that is remote from film gate 404. In operation either modifier 408, 410 (or both) may be slidably displaced along rails 412 between a stowed position shown in Fig. 30b, and a film gate position shown in Figs. 31b and 32b. The modifiers 408, 410 may be moved along rails 412 using any appropriate mechanism. Such a mechanism may be driven using an internal electric motor that is controlled by an on-board processor (not shown) or manually by lever action directed manipulated by the user of camera 400. Figs . 30a and 30b show both modifiers 408 , 410 located in the stowed position so that neither modifier will alter the image light entering camera 400 before reaching film 406. Figs. 31 a and 3 lb show first modifier 408 located in the film gate position, while second modifier 410 remains in the stowed position so that first modifier 408 will modify the incoming light prior to it reaching film 406. Similarly, Figs. 32a and 32b show second modifier 410 located in the film gate position, while first modifier 408 is located in the stowed position so that only second modifier 410 will effect the image light prior to it reaching film 406. This embodiment allows the operator of camera 400 to select a particular modifier (in this case shown in Figs. 30a through 32b), either first modifier 408 or second modifier 410, prior to releasing the shutter of camera 400, depending on the type of modification desired. For example, as described earlier in this application, first modifier 408 may modify the image light to include impressionistic characteristics and second modifier 208 may modify the image light to include craqueleur characteristics, so that the operator of camera 400 may select either of these modifications, or neither (a normal picture) or both modifiers creating a third different modification. This embodiment may include any number of modifiers 408, 410. Only two modifiers are shown and described for clarity. In operation of a conventional SLR camera, incoming light from an image passes through a lens assembly and is reflected to an eyepiece using a pivotal mirror and a prism (or a second, stationary mirror), so that the camera operator may view the exact image as seen through the lens. The lens typically includes means for focusing the image and an aperture for controlling the amount of light that enters the camera. When a trigger button on the camera is depressed the pivotal mirror pivots so that a shutter curtain is exposed and light from the lens is allowed to converge at a point located just past the shutter (onto the film located behind the shutter). The shutter then opens at the selected shutter speed, exposing the film to the converged light for a predetermined amount of time. Referring to Figs.33a-33c, a schematic of a single-use single lens reflex (SLR) camera 500 is shown, according to another embodiment of the invention, including a lens assembly 502, a fixed mirror 504, a pivotal mirror 506, a viewing screen 508, an eyepiece 510, a film cassette 512, and a film gate 514. Film cassette 512 and film gate 514 are preferably located in the front of camera 500, above lens assembly 502, as shown in Figs. 33a- 33c, opposite viewing screen 508 and eyepiece 510. The puφose of this embodiment ofthe invention is to provide a camera that combines the benefits of an SLR camera with the simplicity and low cost of a single-use camera. Lens assembly 502 preferably includes a built-in, single-speed shutter similar to the type of lens/shutters used in conventional single-use cameras. Pivotal mirror 506 is pivotally mounted within camera 500 and may be angularly displaced between a viewing position (shown in Fig. 33 a) and an exposing position (shown in Fig. 33c). When pivotal mirror 506 is in the viewing position, image light from the subject enters camera 500 through lens assembly 502 (and shutter, not shown), is projected onto viewing screen 508 by way of fixed mirror 504, and pivotal mirror 506. The image projected onto viewing screen 508 may be viewed through eyepiece 510 in a conventional manner. Film is not exposed to the image light when pivotal mirror 506 is in the viewing position. When pivotal mirror 506 is in the exposing position, the same image light passing lens assembly 502 and the shutter (not shown) reflects off of fixed mirror 504 and pivotal mirror 506 to film gate 514 and film 512. Image light may not be viewed when pivotal mirror 506 is in the exposing position. The shutter located within lens assembly 502 may open only pivotal mirror 506 is located either in the viewing position (Fig. 33a) or the exposing position (Fig. 33c), not when pivotal mirror 506 is moving between the two positions, as shown in Fig. 33b. In operation, initially, the shutter of the camera is biased open and pivotal mirror 506 is in the viewing position so that the operator may see the image of the subject through the lens (similar to a conventional, more expensive, single lens reflex camera). When the operator desires to record a particular image onto film, a button (not shown) is released which closes the shutter thereby blocking image light from entering camera 500, and simultaneously rotates pivotal mirror 506 from the viewing position to the exposing position, as shown in Fig. 33c. When pivotal mirror 506 reaches the exposing position, the shutter automatically opens and re-closes (preferably at a set shutter speed) to expose the image onto the frame of film that is located within film gate 514. After the shutter re-closes, pivotal mirror 506 is returned to the viewing position and, again the shutter re-opens to reveal the image light to the operator so that the next picture may be viewed. Lens assembly 502 focuses the image light either onto viewing screen 508 or the film located within film gate. Therefore, the distance the image light must travel from fixed mirror 504, past pivotal mirror 506, to viewing screen 508 is the same as the distance from the fixed mirror 504, past pivotal mirror 506, to film gate 514. Pivotal mirror 506 may be rotated using a motor (not shown) or using a pre- wound main spring that has sufficiently rotational energy to operate the pivotal mirror 506 and expose all the film of film cassette 512. Any suitable mechanism may be used to operate the shutter in concert with pivotal mirror 506, as would be known by those skilled in the art. In an related embodiment of the invention, one or both surfaces of pivotal mirror 506 may include a light modifier, as described earlier in this application, so that the image light is modified, distorted, or otherwise altered prior to being recorded on film. Pivotal mirror 506 may include two or more functional sides, wherein several different types of modifiers may be incoφorated and selected. Referring to Fig. 34, a schematic of a single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera 600, according to another embodiment of the invention, is shown including a body 602, a lens assembly 604, an aperture 606, a pivotal mirror and prism assembly 608, an eyepiece 610, a shutter 612 and film 614. According to the invention, camera 600 includes a multi-segmented light meter 616, a reference liquid crystal display neutral-density filter (LCD-ND) filter 620, and a compensating LCD-ND filter 622 For the puφose of explaining the present invention, as maybe appreciated by those skilled in the art, pivotal mirror/prism assembly 608 effectively divides the light rays entering camera 600 through lens 604 (as "image light") into three separate paths, each path receiving all of the image light; a first path is directed to eyepiece 610, through reference LCD-ND filter 620, a second path is directed to multi-segmented light meter 616, and a third path is directed to film 614, through compensating LCD-ND filter 622 and shutter 612. Multi-segment light meter 616 converts (digitizes) the optical image light it receives into electronic signals similar to the manner in which a charged coupled device (CCD) converts optical information to electrical signals to record an optical image onto video tape. Multi-segment light meter 616 is preferably a CCD type sensor. Once the image light is converted to electronic signal data, the information is read by a processor 618. The received information includes the intensity (brightness) of each pixel ofthe image light, as measured by multi-segment light meter 616. Using conventional boundary recognition techniques similar to that which is used by illustrator programs, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photo Workshop, wherein processor 618 uses the information from multi-segment light meter 616 to categorize pixels of multi-segment light meter 616 that have similar contrast levels (or exceed a predetermined intensity level) thereby identifying the group of pixels that represent a foreground object (or objects) against pixels that represent a background image (or images). Once pixel groups have been formed according to their relative density (or contrast), processor 618 simultaneously sends the information to a reference liquid crystal display neutral density filter (LCD-ND filter) 620 and a compensating liquid crystal display neutral density filter 622. LCD-ND filters 620 and 622 are preferably high resolution clear- plate LCDs and function as light valves (for each pixel). Reference LCD-ND filter 620 is physically positioned in front of eyepiece 610, as described below. Compensating LCD-ND filter 622 is physically positioned in front of shutter 612, as described below. Processor 618 may selectively control the collective density of each pixel in a selected group so that an entire group of pixels representing a foreground subject, for example, may be made effectively opaque, or uniformly semi-opaque, thereby forming a "mask" that may be used to block specific regions of the image light (corresponding to the "bright" regions ofthe image) from reaching film 614 (for at least a portion ofthe exposure time). A controller 624 is electrically connected to processor 618 and is used to control the density of either a foreground subj ect, or a background image. This is done simply by controlling the feed voltage to LCD-ND filters 620, 622. Varying the voltage to LCD-ND filters 620, 622, will vary the opacity of each selected pixel of LCD-ND 620, 622. Processor 618 uses the digitized image data to select the pixels of both LCD-ND filters 620, 622. Reference LCD-ND filter 620 is positioned in front of eyepiece 610 so that the image light directed to eyepiece 610 by pivotal mirror/prism assembly 608 must pass through reference LCD-ND filter 620. Selected pixels of LCD-ND filter 620 will cause the image light directed to eyepiece 610 to be selectively masked, according to the digitized image data sent to processor 618. The operator may view the image through eyepiece 610 with a superimposed mask of darkened (selected) pixels of reference LCD-ND filter 620 covering the selected "bright" areas ofthe image. Simultaneously, processor 618 controls compensating LCD-ND filter 622 in a similar manner so that the image light that is simultaneously directed, by pivotal mirror/prism assembly 608, to shutter 612 must pass through LCD-ND filter 622. In a similar manner, processor 618 selectively darkens selected regions of compensating LCD-ND filter 622 so that selected regions of film 614 is protected, for a predetermined period of time during exposure of film 614 (when shutter 612 opens). Processor 618 further controls the operation of shutter 612 and aperture 606 so that processor 618 may control the proper exposure time for the non-masked regions ofthe image light, in further response to the specific aperture and shutter speed settings controlled by the operator, as understood by those skilled in the art. Processor may further control and change the relative opacity of any pixel or groups of pixels during the exposure. This includes shifting darkened pixels or pixel groups in rapid succession during the exposure period (shutter open) across the entire "bright" region ofthe image or simply along a boundary-line of two regions of varying contrast (bright sky next to foreground person). This controlled shifting during the exposure mimics the dodging process used in conventional print processing. By moving the mask, the masking effects may be softened to provide a more realistic exposure correction. Referring to Fig. 35, camera 600 is shown recording an image onto film 614. The image shown here includes a woman located in the foreground wearing a black hat against a bright partly-cloudy sky. As the image enters camera 600, as described above (see Fig. 34), it is simultaneously sent to multi-segmented light meter 616, reference LCD-ND filter 620, and LCD-ND filter 622. Multi-segmented light meter 616 digitizes the image light it receives and sends pixel-intensity information to processor 618 which in turn categorizes the image into groups of pixels having densities exceeding preset levels. For example, the pixels representing the woman and her hat are considered dark compared to the bright background sky and are therefore grouped together and electronically displayed on both reference LCD-ND filter 620 and compensating LCD-ND filter 622 as transparent, as shown in Fig. 35. This allows processor 618 to expose the relatively dark image ofthe woman and her hat onto film 614 as if the bright sky was not a consideration in factoring the exposure parameters. Normally, by "metering" off of the dark subject, the resulting exposure would leave a correctly exposed woman/hat subj ect against a very washed out background sky. The bright sky portion of the image is categorized as a single zone or region and darkened to a predetermined opacity, depending on the relative contrast between the sky and the woman/hat subject. The darkened pixels representing the bright sky portion ofthe image is mapped out on both LCD-ND filters 620, 622 so that an exact mask ofthe bright sky portion is displayed in front ofeyepiece 610 and, simultaneously, in front of film 614. The end result is a correctly exposed woman/hat subject and a correctly exposed bright sky background simultaneously recorded on the same frame of film 614. As shown in Fig. 35, controller 624 may be used to vary the level of opacity or transparency of the both the bright and darker zones or regions ofthe image. For example, the exposure for the bright sky may be varied to create different exposures and therefore different relative contrasts (similar to bracketing techniques used in conventional photography). Figure 35 also includes five sample compensation images of varying contrast of both groups (the woman/hat subject and the bright sky background) ofthe original image, as controlled by controller 624. In operation, the operator of camera 600 may use controller 624 to darken-out the bright regions ofthe image in real-time, as it is being viewed through eyepiece 610. Similarly, the lighter regions ofthe image may be selectively darkened using controller 624. When the compensated image appears correct (or otherwise desirable), the image (with the selected compensation) may be recorded on film 614, as described above (see Fig. 34). Referring to Fig.36, according to another embodiment ofthe present invention, two or more modifiers are used to distort or modify image light before it exposes the film of a camera 700. A first modifier 702 is preferably stationary with respect to the film and located within a first plane. A second modifier 704 is selectively movable, preferably within a second plane that is adjacent and parallel to the first plane. Each modifier 702, 704 includes a textured, patterned, roughened, or otherwise distorted surface (either surface or includes internal distorting elements located within the modifier). As second modifier 704 is moved with respect to first modifier 702, the image light from the subject will be continuously distorted in a somewhat unpredictable manner, thereby creating a variety of unusual and unique effects to the image light prior to the light being recorded on film. This variable distorting effect is somewhat similar to the distorting effect experienced when an image is viewed through two layers of screen. In this example, if one screen is moved slightly (depending on the size ofthe openings), the view image will appear different. Referring to Fig. 37, a side sectional view of a camera 700 is shown, according to the embodiment ofthe invention shown in Fig. 36, having first (stationary) modifier 702, second (movable) modifier 704, a lens assembly 706, an eyepiece 708, a film gate 710, and film 712. As light enters camera 700 through lens assembly 706 (represented by an arrow in Fig. 37), it must pass through second modifier 704 and first modifier 702 (and a shutter not shown) prior to exposing film 712 located within film gate 710. Second modifier 704 is mounted to camera 700 in such a manner to allow controlled movement (in this case up and down) with respect to film 712 and first modifier 702. A button 714 is attached to second modifier 704 by arm 716. A spring 718 is attached between second modifier 704 and camera 700 so that button 714 is biased to a rest position. In operation, after the operator selects a particular subject as viewed through eyepiece 708, he may depress button 714 varying amounts to introduce a different amount of distortion to different images. Referring to Fig. 38, a related embodiment ofthe embodiment shown in Figs. 36, 37 and described above, is shown including a primary lens 750, a first modifier 752, a second modifier 754, a third modifier 756, a relay lens 758, and film 760 (or digital input device, scanner, digitizer, etc.). In this arrangement, any combination of modifiers 752, 754, 756 may be laterally displaced (each within a plane that is parallel to film 760), a selected amount. Primary lens focuses the image light from the subject to the modifiers 752, 754, 756. Once modified by all three modifiers, the image light is re- focused using relay lens 758 onto film 760. Relay lens 758 is only required if modifiers cannot be positioned adjacent to film 760, as described in earlier embodiments of this invention. Figs. 39a, 39b, and 39c are examples of first modifier 752, second modifier 754, and third modifier 756, respectively. Related variations to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 36 and 37 include mounting second modifier 704 to camera 700, in the second plane that is adj acent and parallel to first modifier 702, using elastic elements such as springs so that second modifier 704 may freely move in the second plane in a random manner, as the operator normally holds and operates camera 700. Furthermore, either (or both) modifier 702, 704 may be mounted in a non- parallel orientation with respect to film 712. Although movement within either the second or first planes is preferred, either (or both) modifiers 702, 704 may be displaced or distorted in any plane, with respect to film 712 to create a variety of image distortions. Although it is preferred that modifiers 702, 704 be formed from a flat sheet of rigid or semi-rigid transparent material, such as plastic or glass, they may also be formed through an appropriate injection molding process and thereby be shaped curved or bent, or include 3-dimensional surface texture (e.g., a surface relief) to further vary image distortions. Also, either (or both) modifiers 702, 704 may be formed from flexible transparent film (not shown) that is supplied on a roll within camera 700 and includes random or at least different distortions along its length. The film-type modifier (not shown) may be selectively moved past film gate 714 (e.g., rolled up similar to winding conventional film) so that a different distortion pattern or texture maybe positioned in front ofthe yet to be exposed frame of film. As described above in earlier embodiments, Applicant has discovered that light entering the camera may be modified by placing a modifier within film plane, in front of the film so that the recorded image is artistically distorted and altered, creating an unusual and aesthetically pleasing representation ofthe image, depending on the modifier used (e.g., an image may be altered to appear like an impressionistic painting ofthe subject). By selectively moving either modifier 702, 704 with respect to film 714, the shaφness ofthe modified light reaching the film may be controlled, thereby creating a variety of effects to a single image using a single modifier. Applicant has further discovered that the shaφness ofthe light modification may also be controlled by changing the main focus ofthe lens assembly 706. To accomplish this, with a fixed modifier 702 located adjacent to or within film gate 712, the operator first focuses onto a subject, then deliberately changes the focus a controlled amount (in either direction) within a prescribed range that can be indicated by indica located on the lens and/or camera (or similarly indicated using an appropriate electronic device). By changing the focus of lens assembly 706 on the subject, the image light entering the camera and representing the subject will be softened, defining the subject's contrast border lines with less shaφness and detail, resulting in a soft image. This "soft" light may be modified by modifier 702 and recorded on film. The degree of focus variation will determine the degree and characteristics ofthe modification by the modifier. Alternately, or in conjunction with the focus control, the aperture ofthe lens may also be varied to control the variations of modification. Referring to Figs. 40 and 41 , a camera 800, according to another embodiment of the invention is shown, having a body 802 and a lens assembly 804. According to the invention, a lens attachment 806 is mounted to the exposed end of lens assembly 804 so that image light entering lens assembly 804, first passes through lens attachment 806. Lens attachment 806 includes a generally cylindrical housing 808 which supports at least one lens 810 (two are shown in the figure). Lens 810 is elastically mounted to housing 808 by mount 812 so that lens 810 remains in a rest position, but may be manually displaced within housing 808 in a somewhat random manner, by applying an internally directed force to mount 812 along an outer surface of housing 808, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 41. In operation, as the operator views a particular image (e.g., a baby) through the eyepiece, lens assembly 804, and lens attachment 806 of camera 800, he may squeeze mount 812 (which is accessible on the outer surface of housing 808, so that lens 810 moves from its rest position, depending how mount 812 is squeezed and with how much force. As the operator squeezes mount 812, the image of the subject he views distorts, not unlike the distortion mirrors found at an amusement park. Mount 812 is preferably ring-shaped made from an appropriate semi-rigid to flexible rubber, such as silicone, and forms part of housing 808, as shown in Figs. 40 and 41. Figures 42a-42c are examples of how the subj ect (a baby) may be distorted by displacing lens 810 within housing 808. It is preferred that lens 810 returns to the rest position after applied force to mount 812 is removed and that lens 810 does not distort (other than magnify) the image light when at the rest position within housing 808. Alternately, referring to Figure 41, lens 810 is positioned adjacent to another lens 811, which together with mount 812, defines an intermediate space 814. Either lens 811 or lens 810 (or both) is made from a semi-rigid plastic (such as the plastic used to make conventional contact lenses to correct myopia). A fluid such as an inert gas, or a transparent liquid is located within intermediate space 814. This fluid is sealed in intermediate space 814 by mount 812 (which is preferably flexible rubber). In operation of this embodiment as mount 812 is squeezed (or otherwise deformed) by the operators hand, the fluid in intermediate space 814 is forced against both lenses 811 and 810. This force causes either lens (or both) to evenly deform (bulge outward), which subsequently deforms image light entering lens attachment 806. Although it is preferred to provide lens attachment 806 as an attachment to lens assembly 804, lens attachment 806 may alternately be provided integrally with lens assembly 804. Although the embodiments thus described relate to modifying image light entering a "still"-type camera prior to the image light exposing film, Applicant further contemplates employing the image light modification for other recording media. For example, after a negative (or transparency) is made, and a print is to be developed, the negative is positioned within an enlarger. A light source projects the image recorded on the negative onto photographic paper or a large CCD (for video recordings, or scanning). According to another aspect of the invention, a modifier may be positioned either directed adjacent to the negative, adjacent to the paper, or at an intermediate position, so that the projected image light is modified, in a manner described above, prior to the light exposing the paper (or downloaded to electronic memory. The modifier may be positioned within a slot located within the enlarger or simply overlaid with the negative within the negative carrier. Also, a modifier, as described above, may be used to distort the image light prior being "recorded" by an electronic scanner and downloaded into a computer. Although certain computer software programs are capable of electronically distorting a stored image, this process is very time consuming. Downloading a pre-modified image into the computer saves time and introduces effects that are not easily attainable using a computer program. Referring again to Figs. 36, 37, and 38, described above, a modifier is moved during the exposure of film (i.e., during an open shutter). Referring to the embodiment shown in Fig. 37, modifier 704 is attached to camera 700 using a spring and is mechanically actuated (or moved) during exposure by the camera operator, just before the shutter is released. Similarly, the embodiment of Fig. 36 discloses selectively moving at least one modifier 704 relative to an adjacent modifier 702 (as shown by arrows in Fig. 36). Finally, the arrangement shown in Fig. 38 discloses three separate modifiers 752, 754, and 756, each of which may be selectively moved with respect to the others. The result of moving the modifier or modifiers is to impart additional modification to the recorded image so that a single modifier may provide several effects to the incoming light merely by moving the modifier a controlled amount during exposure. Regardless ofthe type of movement imparted to these modifiers disclosed in earlier embodiments, the movement of the modifiers occurred within the plane of each respective modifier (e.g., along the X and Y axes, not the Z axis). Referring to Fig. 43, another embodiment ofthe invention is shown, including a modifier 820 which is positioned within the path of the incoming light (image light entering the camera) and is connected to a vibration generator 822 so that modifier 820 may be selectively moved along an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, wherein the Z-axis is defined as being generally parallel to the incoming light, and the X and Y axes generally define the film (or modifier) plane. By providing controlled movement (e.g. , oscillating vibration) with varying components in each of the X, Y, and Z axes (wherein each axis includes a specific vibration rate or frequency and a specific amplitude) during an exposure period, a single modifier 820 may impart any of many different effects to an image, simply by changing the type and magnitude of movement to the modifier. Vibration generator 822 may be an electro-mechanical device, such as an electro-magnetic vibrator, or may be a piezo-electric crystal. The specific type of vibration generator employed and its specific mounting arrangement and associated linkage to connect with modifier 820 will vary depending on the application and type of modifier, as well as the type of camera being used, as is understood by one skilled in the art. According to this embodiment, a single modifier 820 may be held stationary during an exposure of an image to create a first effect or modification to that image as it is recorded on the film. Alternately, modifier 820 may be moved at a specific amplitude and rate just along its X-axis (i.e. , 100% X-axis, 0% Y-axis, and 0% Z-axis) to impart a second effect to the image. The amplitude of movement or the rate (i.e. , frequency) can be altered, again just along the X-axis to provide many more effects still using the same modifier in the path ofthe incoming light. In another example, vibration generator 822 can be manipulated so that modifier 820 is moved along the X axis (at a certain amplitude and rate) and along the Y axes (at a second amplitude and rate), and perhaps also along the Z axis (at a third amplitude and rate). Each rate and each amplitude along each axes may be independently varied to generate one of many effects imparted by a single modifier. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, specific paintings from known artists are scanned using a laser-scanner and the resulting scanned data is fed to a computer. As understood by those skilled in the art of image analysis, the brush-stroke components of each scanned painting may be extracted from the scanned data to establish a specific brush-stroke pattern or style, indicative of the particular artist. For example, a Monet painting from a specific impressionism period may be scanned to determine his style at that time included brush-strokes having a distinctive short length, ending with a slightly upward curve. This "signature" data may then be used to create a modifier that mimics or replicates the style of a particular painter, such as Monet, to photography so that a photographer may modify an image so that the recorded image appears like a Monet painting, for example. In this embodiment, the modifier may be stationary, or may move, as described in earlier embodiments. In the latter case, such movement may be carefully controlled in a pre-set manner to replicate the "brush-strokes" of any particular painter using a single modifier. Following the above Monet example, a modifier could be moved along the X and Y axes so that the incoming light is "smeared" onto the film, during exposure, in a slightly curved and upward direction. The resulting photograph of water lilies, for example, ends up looking like it was painted by Monet himself. The styles of other painters could simply be "dialed-in" by the photographer to alter the modifier movement accordingly, and the resulting effect on the recorded image. It is preferred that vibration generator 822 be controlled in response to certain parameters and settings of the camera and film, including the speed of the film, the particular shutter speed and aperture setting, whether a flash is being used, the type of lens and its focal length. Most cameras manufactured today include an on-board computer which receives most of the above-listed parameters to determine the correct exposure for each picture taken. Applicant contemplates vibration generator 822 to be controlled by the on-board computer following prescribed software, as understood by those skilled in the art. The software would control the specific movement of the modifier according to the type of modification desired by the user, as described above. The movement of the modifier may create different effects depending on the other exposure parameters. For example, a relatively slow shutter speed may cause greater "smearing" and a "softer" modification to an image by movement from the modifier, whereas a quicker shutter speed would create a sharper modification to the image by similar movement by the same modifier. Referring to Figs. 44 and 45, a camera 830, according to another embodiment of the invention is shown which is similar to the above-described embodiment shown in Figs. 13-15, described above. Camera 830 includes a body 832, a conventional lens 834 and a modifier coupler 836. Modifier coupler 836 couples conventional lens 834 to body 832 and passes incoming light L from conventional lens 834 to a film 840 in body 832. Modifier coupler 836 includes an image plane 842, a primary lens assembly 844 located between image plane 842 and conventional lens 834 (and may include the lens of conventional lens 834), a secondary lens assembly 846 which is located between image plane 842 and film 840, and at least one modifier receiving slot 848. As described in the embodiment shown in Figs. 13-15, incoming light from a subject is focused onto image plane 842 using conventional lens 834 and primary lens assembly 844. Modifier receiving slot 848 is preferably located at (or adjacent to) image plane 842 so that the incoming light L conveying an image may be modified when it is in focus at image plane 842. Image plane 842 may include a frosted image screen (not shown). Once modified, the image light is refocused onto film 840 using secondary lens assembly 846. According to this embodiment of the invention, secondary lens assembly 846 is preferably made using a coupled pair of monolithic lenslet modules (MLMs) functioning as a relay lens. As shown in Fig. 44, MLMs are arrays of refractive micro lenses which are usually made from optical epoxies or optical plastics. As a relay lens, a first lenslet module 852 is coupled with a similar second module 853, mounted parallel and adjacent to each other, according to their optical characteristics and the desired optical correction. Each module 852, 853 includes an array of micro lenses 854 and is positioned a predetermined distance from the other so that image light at image plane 842 may be brought into focus at film 840. Each micro lens 854 of a first (front) lenslet module 852 functions to refract just a portion of the image light located at image plane 842 to a corresponding micro lens 854 located on the adjacent (rear) lenslet module 853, which then corrects the refracted image light and refocuses the image light to film 840. Use of such monolithic lenslet modules as general relay lenses is known by those skilled in the art. These lenslet modules are commercially available from Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc. of Cambridge, MA. Some of the benefits of using lenslet modules as relay lenses for secondary lens assembly 846 instead of using conventional lenses include a reduction in weight and length of modifier coupler 836. Furthermore, since each lenslet module 852 is made up of an array of micro lenses 854, than additional effects to an image located at image plane 842 made be created by displacing the micro lenses of first lenslet module 852 relative to second module 853. To achieve this, it is preferred that one lenslet module 853, for example, is fixedly mounted within modifier coupler 836, while the other lenslet module, 852, (in this example) is mounted to a rotatable frame 856 which may be selectively angularly displaced within modifier coupler 836 to create different effects to the image light located at image plane 842. Fig. 45 is a rear view of modifier coupler 836, according to this embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 45, modifier-receiving slot 848 may be selectively angularly displaced (rotated about the longitudinal axis of the lens) to change the relative orientation of an inserted modifier 858 with respect to the subject. As shown in Figs. 45 and 45a, an actuator 860 is used to selectively rotate and further lock modifier receiving slot 848 with respect to modifier coupler 836 as desired by the user. According to another embodiment of the invention, if more than one modifier-receiving slot 848 is provided within modifier coupler 836, each slot 848 may be selectively rotatable in a similar manner, with respect to each other and modifier coupler 836. According to this embodiment of the invention, referring to Fig. 46a-e, individual modifiers 858 are shown. Each modifier 858 is preferably mounted within a frame 862 which is sized and shaped to fit within modifier-receiving slot 848, as desired. Additional modifier-receiving slots 848 may be provided to accommodate combinations of modifiers 858. Fig. 46a shows a neutral density standard filter that is rotatably mounted within frame 862 and includes a control actuator 864 that remains accessible to a user after this modifier is inserted into modifier-receiving slot 848. Actuator 864 selectively rotates the filter with respect to incoming image light. Fig. 46b shows a neutral density gradient type filter mounted within frame 864, according to this embodiment of the invention. Fig. 46c shows a modifier 858 that produces an optical "tile" effect to image light. Fig. 46d shows a modifier 858 that functions as an LCD-ND, in a similar manner to an earlier described embodiment (see Figs. 34, 35a, and 35b, and the corresponding description) wherein the exposure of selective portions of an image may be corrected independent of the remaining portions of the image. Such an LCD-ND modifier 858 includes appropriate electrical connections (not shown) which are adapted to provide electrical communication between camera 830 and LCD-ND modifier 858. Figs. 46e, 47a-c, show a prism modifier 858 which includes a transparent or translucent plate 866 mounted within frame 864 and a pivotal prism 868 mounted to a top portion of frame 864. Prism 868 is adapted to receive ambient light 870 and selectively project the ambient light within modifier coupler 836 against plate 866 resulting in a softening "fog" effect to any image located at image plane 842. Other modifying effects include providing grain to the image similar to film- emulsion grain, providing surface texture to an image, providing conventional color filtration, providing polarizing filtration, and conventional special effects. According to another embodiment ofthe invention, referring to Figs. 48, and 49a-e, a displaceable modifier cartridge 872 is shown including a cartridge frame 874, a first vibration generator 876 connected to a first mount 878, a second vibration generator 880 connected to a second mount 882 and a third vibration generator 884 connected to a third mount 886. Each vibration generator 876, 880, and 884 are preferably independently controllable through an accessible control knob 888 located on frame 874, and powered by a power strip 890 that provides electrical communication with modifier coupler 836 when modifier 872 is inserted within slot 848. A variety of modifiers 892 are provided, each mounted within a modifier frame 894. Each modifier frame 894 includes mounts 895 which are sized and shaped to be mounted to modifier cartridge 872 at first, second, and third mounts, 878, 882, and 886, respectively. Once a desired modifier 892, mounted within frame 894 mounted to the mounts of modifier cartridge 872, cartridge 872 may then be inserted within slot 848 of modifier coupler 836 (see Fig. 44), at which point power strip 890 will electrically engage with a mating connector (not shown), located within modifier coupler 836. Once inserted within modifier coupler 836, the user may selectively control any of the three vibration generators 876, 880, and 884 to impart a unique vibrational movement to the mounted modifier 892. As described in earlier embodiments, such movement can create a multitude of new effects to the image located at image plane 842 of modifier coupler 836. Although three vibration generators 876, 880, and 884 are preferred, two or one generator may be used. Regardless of how many vibration generators are used, the vibration to modifier 892 may be controlled either by the photographer, using knob 888, or by internal circuitry of camera 830, whereby the photographer may select a desired effect (e.g., impressionism painting) on the camera and have the camera control the necessary movement (during exposure) to create the desired effect. Different types of modifiers 892, shown in Figs. 49b-e may be used with the displaceable modifier cartridge 872, according to the invention. These modifiers include different light-modifying characteristics that create many different effects when moved in various ways. Referring to Figs. 50a-f, a modifier coupler 900, according to yet another embodiment ofthe invention is shown including a primary (forward) lens assembly 902, an intermediate focal plane 906, a modifier 908, and a relay lens assembly 910. Similar to earlier embodiments, described above, and referring to Figs. 50a-b, primary lens assembly 902 focuses incoming image light onto an intermediate focal plane or image screen 904, either through a modifier 908, as in Fig. 50a, or not, as in Fig. 50b, and onto film using a relay lens assembly 910. According to this embodiment of the invention, primary lens assembly 902 is pivotally mounted within modifier coupler 900 so that the entire lens assembly may be selectively pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the modifier coupler 900, as shown in Figs. 50c and 50d. Also, modifier 908 is pivotally mounted within modifier coupler 900 so that any selected modifier inserted within modifier couple may be selectively pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis of modifier coupler 900, as shown in Figs. 50c- f. Such pivotal movement of either primary lens assembly 902 or modifier 908, or both, allow selected portions of an image (e.g. , an upper portion or a side portion) to be modified without effecting the entire image. As an example, a modifier may be used to soften just half of a subject's face while leaving the opposite half sharp to create a dramatic portrait. By providing pivotal movement of both the modifier and the primary lens assembly, a photographer is provided with an even greater number of effects. According to another aspect of the invention, and referring to Figs. 51 and 52, a rear portion of an exposed camera 1000 is shown (i.e. , with its back cover open or otherwise removed), revealing a film gate 1002, a shutter 1004, film-edge guides 1006 which are parallel to each other and positioned on opposing sides of film gate 1002. Also shown are film-surface guide 1008 which are smooth rail-like structures that are used to support a strip of film 1010 at a predetermined and preferred distance from shutter 1004. As film 1010 is advanced from a roll (not shown), across film gate 1002 and shutter 1004 to a collection spool (also not shown, but understood by those skilled in the art), film 1010 slides between edge guides 1006 so that each longitudinal edge of film 1010 contacts (or slides generally adjacent to) each respective edge guide 1006. Film 1010 also slides across each film-surface guide 1008, as is understood in the art. According to this embodiment of the invention, a modifier 1012 is sized and shaped to snugly fit adjacent to film gate 1002 between film-surface guides 1008. Modifier 1012 includes a central modifying window 1014, a support end 1016, and an opposing handle/support end 1018. Modifier 1012 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid plastic, such as poly -carbonate plastic, preferably of an optical grade, and is specifically shaped to fit within a particular make and model of camera, so that modifying window 1014 of modifier 1012 "snaps" into position within film gate 1002, supported in that position by the opposing support end 1016 and handle/support end 1018, which rest on shelf regions 1020 located adjacent to film gate 1002, as shown in Fig. 51. To insert a modifier 1012 within a camera 1000, the rear cover (not shown) of the camera is first opened. Prior to loading a roll of film into the camera, a selected modifier 1012 is carefully positioned between film-surface guides 1008 and across film gate 1002, first with support end 1006 contacting one shelf region 1020 (preferably the one closest to the roll), then modifying window 1014 is positioned within film gate 1002, snapping into place (through light frictional engagement with the sides of film gate 1002), leaving handle/support end 1018 resting on the opposing shelf region 1020. Modifier 1012, when installed within film gate 1002, extends a predetermined distance from shelf region 1020 rearwardly towards film 1010. According to the invention, the predetermined distance is preferably equal to or less then the distance each film-surface guide 1008 extends from shelf region 1020 so that modifier 1012, when installed within camera 1000 does not extend further (towards film 1010) than film-surface guides 1008 and therefore does not interfere with the movement of film 1010 across film- surface guides 1008. As shown in Fig. 2b, and described in an earlier embodiment, modifying window 1014 is preferably thicker (yet coplanar with support 1016 and handle/support 1018 along a rear surface) so that a portion of modifying window 1014 of modifier 1012 extends forwardly into film gate 1002 towards shutter 1004, without interfering with the operation of shutter 1004. To remove modifier 1012 from film gate 1002, a user lifts handle/support end 1018 from shelf region 1020 and pries modifier from its snug position within film gate 1002, overcoming the light frictional engagement between modifier 1012 and film gate 1002. As described above, a modifying texture or pattern may be introduced to the modifying window 1014 of modifier 1012 which will directly effect the image light passing from the lens of the camera to the film. Although many different modifying textures may be applied to the modifier to create many different unusual effects, this embodiment of the invention is directed to introducing a texture to modifier 1012 so that a recorded image will appear "grainy". Although emulsion grain is typically associated with poor image quality, as discussed above, it can be used beneficially to create a certain mystique and/or softness of a subject that is otherwise difficult to obtain, using, for example, conventional soft-filter techniques known in the art. Fig. 53 shows five modifiers 1012 of a series of grain effects producing an ultra fine grain, a fine grain, a medium grain, a medium/coarse grain, and finally a course grain, as illustrated in the enlarged section shown to the right of each modifier 1012 of Fig. 53. To achieve a grain-imparting modifier 1012, as shown in Fig. 53, modifying window 1014 is preferably abraded using a particular grit of aluminum oxide abrasive powder blasted from a sand-blasting machine. Such abrasive powders are well known and commercially available, for example, from the AJM, Company of East Brunswick, NJ. The grit size of the abrasive powder depends on the type of grain effect desired, wherein a coarser grit size will produce a coarser grain effect. Applicant has discovered through experimentation that grit sizes between 1 micron and 100 microns result in modifiers 1012 that impart a grain effect to image light being recorded by the film which corresponds to a grain-effect range between ultra fine and coarse, as described above and shown in Fig. 53. The grain effect applied to modifier 1012 is essentially a uniform pitted texture of the plastic modifier 1012, made by abrasives, for example. The texture can also be produced using other known techniques, such as other abrasive processes, including sanding and tumbling, and chemical etching, photo-etching, corona discharge applications, frosting techniques and laser etching techniques. Also, modifier 1012 may be made from a variety of suitable plastics and may include a glass insert as modifying window 1014. If glass is used, a chemical etching process, (using hydro-fluoric acid) well known in the art, may produce the desired grain-effect texture. Regardless ofthe material used, conventional hardening or protective coatings may be applied to prevent scratching. Also, in making the grain-effect texture in modifiers 1012, using blown abrasives, multiple abrasive streams may be used at various directions with respect to each other and the modifier surface to produce different pitted (angled) textures, resulting in various grain effects. Also, modifiers 1012 may be made having a gradient grain-effect texture from coarse at one end, for example, and gradually becoming fine at an opposing end. Regardless of the grain-effect texture on modifiers 1012, when such a modifier 1012 is used while taking pictures, the resulting processed pictures will appear grainy, allowing the photographer to introduce a mystique to the subjects, for example, without effecting other characteristics ofthe film, including tonal depth, and sharpness, and without requiring special processing. The present invention allows the photographer to introduce a "fake" or simulated grain (an optical grain) into the image as it is being recorded onto film (at the negative or transparency stage) so that any reproduction work including enlargements will result in consistent grain effects for any given image of film. The introduction of optical grain does not affect the processing of the film, nor does it adversely interfere with the tonal depth or sharpness of the recorded image, as does emulsion type grain. As described in earlier embodiments, although the present embodiment has been described in connection with a conventional 35 mm SLR type camera, this invention may easily be applied to any type of optical device, including cameras (35 mm, medium and large format, digital, and video), electronic scanners, enlargers, and photocopiers. Also, the grain-effects texture may be equally applied to any type of modifier described above in earlier embodiments. According to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, referring to Figs. 54 and 55, a de-focusing coupler 1100 is fitted between a camera body 1102 (motion-picture, still or digital, or any other type of camera), and a camera "taking" lens 1104. De-focusing coupler 1100 is generally cylindrical and includes two ends. A mechanical coupling mechanism (not shown) is provided at each end and is adapted to mechanically secure de- focusing coupler 1100 to camera body 1102, and further to mechanically secure lens 1004 to de-focusing coupler 1100. De-focusing coupler 1100 is positioned between lens 1104 and camera body 1102 (regardless ofthe type of camera), as shown in Fig. 55 (a motion-picture type camera body is illustrated in Fig. 55) so that light entering camera body 1102 through lens 1104 also passes through de-focusing coupler 1100. Similar to an earlier described embodiment (see Fig. 13) , de-focusing coupler 1100 includes a secondary lens assembly 1106 (similar to secondary lens assembly 86 of Fig. 13), and an intermediate focal plane 1108 (which is located generally at the location of slot 90 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13). An image-receiving screen 1110 is positioned at intermediate focal plane 1108 and is adapted to function as a projection screen against which incoming light from the subject may be focused in using taking lens 1104, for example . Image-receiving screen 1110 is preferably made from a thin sheet of clear flexible optical grade plastic, such as PET, and polyester (any appropriate flexible optical grade plastic may be used, as understood by those skilled in the art) and preferably includes a minute "capturing" layer (not shown) such as an anti-reflection coating or an extremely fine granular textured (matte) surface which serves to capture incoming subject light, resulting in the incoming image light casting its image onto the surface of image-receiving screen 1110. Image-receiving screen 1110 functions in a similar manner to the focusing reticle of an SLR type camera wherein image light casts an image onto the matte surface of the focusing reticle allowing the photographer to view the projected image through an eyepiece. It is preferred, however, that the capturing layer provide subtle diffusion of incoming light, just sufficient to allow the incoming light to cast an image on the surface of the image- receiving screen 1110, and not so translucent that much of the incoming light is blocked or reflected and not allowed to be refocused at the film plane. According to the invention, image-receiving screen 1110 is flexible and is preferably mounted along its periphery to a semi-rigid frame (not shown). The semi-rigid frame is flexibly mounted to the body of coupler 1100 in such a manner that allows selectively bending (or distortion) of the frame by the photographer. Such controlled bending of the frame introduces a physical 3-D (x, y, and z axes) distortion of image- receiving screen 1110. To this end, the frame supporting image-receiving screen 1110 may be mounted along deformable tracks (not shown) which in turn, may be deformed at select points along the periphery of the frame, using, for example a mechanical or an electromechanical actuator. Such actuators may be a threaded fastener which may be positioned around the periphery ofthe frame and tightened to create a distorting force. Also, a suitable actuator may be a solenoid or a linear motor, as understood by those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that the frame supporting image-receiving screen 1110 may be made from (or include) a bi-metallic material, and include a plurality of electrically powered heat- generating elements (capable of heating a finite region along the frame). To deform the frame, selective heat-generating elements may be activated (switched on) to cause the bimetallic frame to bend under the influence of heat. Image-receiving screen 1110 is preferably rotatable about the longitudinal axis of de-focusing coupler 1100 to allow the photographer greater control at positioning de-focused regions of image-receiving screen 1110 with respect to particular objects within the image frame. It is also preferred that the entire image-receiving screen 1110 (i.e. , the supporting frame) be linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of de-focusing coupler 1100 independent of any distortion imparted to image-receiving screen 1110. Regardless of the type of frame-deforming actuator, an important aspect of this embodiment of the invention is to allow the photographer to control the contour of the image-receiving screen 1110 and therefore control regional focus throughout an image frame, as described below. In conventional cameras (an SLR camera, for example), a lens optically transposes an image located within an "object depth-of-field" to an "image depth-of-field" located behind the lens (an "image depth-of-field" of a lens is located between the lens and the camera, whereas an "object depth-of-field" of the lens resides in front of the lens adjacent to the subject). A conventional camera is designed to position the recording film in a film gate which is located within the image depth-of-field ofthe lens. The result of this conventional arrangement is that any object located within the object depth-of-field of a lens will be recorded in sharp focus by the lens on the camera's film, which is located within the image depth-of-field of the lens. According to the present invention, when de-focusing coupler 1100 is attached to camera body 1102 and lens 1104 is attached to de-focusing coupler 1100, image- receiving screen 1110 becomes positioned within an image depth-of-field 1111 of lens 1102 (normally where the film gate would be located in conventional cameras without de-focusing coupler 1100). The arrangement causes image light from an object located within the object depth-of- field of the lens to be optically transposed (i.e. , focused) onto image-receiving screen 1110. The transposed image located on the surface of image-receiving screen 1110 is then optically transposed and refocused by secondary lens assembly 1106 of de-focusing coupler 1100 to the camera's film 1112 (see Fig. 54) located at the film plane. In operation ofthe present de-focusing coupler 1100, a photographer is able to first view an object, such as the woman model shown in Fig. 54, through the eyepiece of camera 1102 (an SLR camera, for example) and focus the object so that it (the woman) appears within the object depth-of-field and is therefore in focus. As long as the entire image-receiving screen 1110 is located within the image depth-of-field 1111 of the lens within the de-focusing coupler 1100, the entire object located within the object depth-of- field (the woman) will appear in sharp focus on film 1112. The photographer may simply take the picture of the woman as she appears in sharp focus throughout the image frame, or may decide to de-focus select regions of the image frame by distorting the image- receiving screen 1110 in a controlled manner, as described above, so that portions of the image-receiving screen bulge out from within the image depth-of-field 1111 , as illustrated in Fig. 54. In such instance, only the image light located on the portions of the distorted image-receiving screen 1110 that remain within the image depth-of-field 1111 will be recorded in sharp (or acceptable) focus on film 1112 at the film plane, as illustrated in Fig. 54. In the example shown in Fig. 54, the woman's face (identified by circle 1113) appears in focus on film 1112 because the image light of the woman's face (represented by dashed line 1114) is first projected onto image-receiving screen 1110 and that screen portion (showing her face) is within the image depth-of-field 1111 of the lens. The woman's chest (identified by circle 1116) is slightly out of focus because the image light of the woman's chest (represented by dashed line 1118 in Fig. 54) is first projected onto a portion of image-receiving screen 1110 and that screen portion (showing her chest) is located slightly outside the image depth-of-field 1111, as shown in Fig. 54. Similarly, the area just left of the woman's head (identified by circle 1120 in Fig. 54) is recorded on the film greatly out of focus since the image light of this region (represented by dashed line 1122 in Fig. 54) is first projected onto a portion of image-receiving screen 1110 and that screen portion is located a great distance outside the image depth-of-field 1111, as shown in Fig. 54. Referring to Fig. 56, another embodiment of the invention is shown (which is similar to an earlier described embodiment, shown in Figs. 34, and 35a-b), including a camera body 1200, a conventional "taking" lens 1202, and an exposure-compensating coupler 1204. Referring to Fig. 34 and the related description and Fig. 56, exposure- compensating coupler 1204 is a self contained exposure compensating device which includes an LCD 1222 (which is similar to LCD 622 ofthe Fig. 34 embodiment), a CCD panel 1216 (which is similar to CCD 616 of the Fig. 34 embodiment), a filter controller 1224 (which is similar in function to the filter control 624 ofthe Fig. 34 embodiment), a processor 1218 (which is similar in function to the processor 618 of the Fig. 34 embodiment). The LCD embodiment described earlier and shown in Fig. 34 includes two LCD panels, LCD 622 is used to expose film and record the compensated image, LCD 620 is used to repeat the image of LCD 622 so that the operator of the camera may easily view the image before, during and after image compensation. According to the present embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 56, only one LCD (LCD 1222) is required for SLR type cameras because the camera operator will optically view the same image (displayed by LCD 622) that will be used to expose the film. In the earlier described embodiment, described above, LCD 620, LCD 622, CCD 616, LCD filter control 624, prism 608 and processor 618 were located primarily in the camera body 602, as shown in Fig. 34. Applicant has recognized the need for providing a self-contained LCD exposure-compensator which may be quickly and easily attached to conventional camera bodies and conventional lenses, as shown in Fig. 56. In such instance, LCD 620 and LCD 622 may be combined as a single LCD element, in which case prism 608 would may be unnecessary. The proposed LCD exposure-compensating coupler 1204 would allow photographers to benefit from LCD exposure-compensation without requiring the purchase of a special camera. The purpose of this immediate embodiment is to provide a compact image compensating system similar to the one shown in Fig. 34 and described above, but one that is self-contained and as easily attachable to any conventional camera as a conventional lens. To this end, the present embodiment of the invention further includes a reflecting element 1230 which is preferably a fixed glass plate (in which case the reflecting element only partially reflects an image), but may also be a pivotal mirror, as described below. Taking lens 1202 attaches to compensating coupler 1204 so that incoming light is focused at an intermediate focal plane 1206, located within compensating coupler 1204. In the case where reflecting element 1230 is a fixed glass plate, the plate is preferably fixed at 45 degrees with respect to the axial line of sight (identified by dashed line 1232 of Fig. 56). With this arrangement, a portion of incoming image light is reflected by glass plate reflecting element 1230 (due to partial internal reflection properties of the glass) and received by CCD 1216. Another portion of the same image light passes through glass plate reflecting element 1230 and is received by LCD 1222. LCD 1222 is positioned at the intermediate focal plane 1206 so that the image received by LCD 1222 is in sharp focus. The distance between glass plate reflecting element 1230 and CCD 1216 is the same the distance between the glass plate reflecting element 1230 and the intermediate focal plane (and LCD 1222) so that any image light entering the taking lens 1202 is (or may be adjusted to that it is) in focus on either the CCD 1216 or intermediate focal plane 1206 (and LCD 1222). Compensating coupler 1204 further includes secondary lenses 1208 which refocus the image located on LCD 1222 (and later compensated by LCD 1222) either onto film 1210, if the shutter is released, or depending on the type of camera, or onto another focusing screen (not shown) which is further focused by an eyepiece 1212 of the camera so that the image may be viewed by a photographer. The portion of the image light that is reflected at a 45 degree angle and received by CCD 1216 is electronically processed pixel by pixel, as in the earlier described embodiment, and electronically manipulated using LCD filter 1224 so that selected regions of the image which are dark or light may be appropriately corrected or otherwise manipulated. The pixel corrections are electronically produced at the LCD 1222 so that the remaining portion of image light that passes straight through reflecting element 1230 is corrected by the selective darkened pixels of LCD 1222. The corrected image light may be viewed by the photographer or used to expose film 1210, as described above. Alternatively, reflecting element 1230 may be a pivotally mounted mirror, in which case the operation of the compensating system includes reflecting all of the incoming image light at 45 degrees to CCD 1216. The received image light is stored in buffer memory and electronically manipulated by the photographer, as described above, so that regions of the image may be electronically corrected or otherwise adjusted. Once the image is stored in memory (which is instantaneous), the pivot mirror reflecting element 1230 pivots away from the axial line of sight 1232 so that all the image light is received in focus at the intermediate focal plane 1206. The image may again be viewed by the photographer before, during, and after electronic pixel compensation has been generated onto LCD 1222, or used to expose film 1210. The above-described compensating coupler 1204 preferably further includes a slot (not shown) which allows special effects modifiers, such as those shown in Figs. 47a- c, 48, 49a-e and 53 to be introduced into the path of incoming light at the intermediate focal plane 1206. Since any modifiers inserted into the slot will be positioned at the intermediate focal plane 1206, the modifiers and their effect (e.g. , their textural surface details) will appear in focus with the image. According to another embodiment of the invention, preferably three LCD displays may be introduced into the path of incoming light of a camera, each LCD includes an array of pixels wherein each pixel produces graduated color from transparent to an opaque colored panel. The transparency and intensity of the color for each pixel of each LCD is electronically controlled so that a particular color may be introduced to an image at any location throughout the pixel array. Three LCD color compensating displays are preferred so that each display may include one of three primary colors so that the pixels of each display may be manipulated to create mixed color effects thereby allowing a greater range of colored effects. This arrangement would be useful at introducing regional or selective colored-filter effects to a color image used in color photography, for example, the red color of a rose may be enhanced electronically without introducing red to the entire image. As described in earlier embodiments, although the present embodiment has been described primarily in connection with a conventional 35 mm SLR type camera and a movie camera, this invention may easily be applied to any type of optical device, including cameras (35 mm, medium and large format, digital, and video), electronic scanners, enlargers, and photocopiers. Also, any earlier described modifier may be incorporated with de-focusing coupler 1100, either adjacent to image-receiving screen 1110, or taking the place of image-receiving screen 1110. According to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, a process of creating a modifier for use in a camera and for the puφose of imparting special effects to the image light is disclosed. The process creates a modifier having a texture which replicates or mimics to a predetermined degree the artistic style an artist used to create an existing drawing, pattern, sketch, or painting. The artistic style of a painting, for example, may be defined by the size, length, width, taper, and shape, the apparent force used to create the strokes (the depth or weight of the stroke), of various paint strokes used throughout the painting. The process includes digitally scanning a subject painting into a computer using any appropriate scanning technology such as a laser scanner. The scanned graphic information ofthe subject painting is stored in electronic memory and digitally manipulated to extract the particulars of the painting strokes used throughout the subject painting. The manipulation step may include an averaging of the stroke details so that a generic pattern or texture may be electronically generated within the computer wherein the generated pattern or texture generally mimics the painting strokes of the particular artist. The process includes using the manipulated information to control an engraving machine (or any other appropriate machine) to engrave (or otherwise transpose) the generated texture or pattern into the surface of a transparent modifier material such asplastic or glass. The resulting modifier will then modify any passing image light according to the texture of the modifier so that the image light will convey or impart the general style ofthe particular artist. A photographer can, for example, use a modifier that includes a texture that mimics the painter Monet, to modify image light of a particular subject (i.e., while taking a picture of the subject) so that the resulting photographs of the subject look like the painter Monet painted the subject. Referring to Fig. 57, there is illustrated a computer system 1310 which may be used for implementing the present invention. Although the computer system 1310 is shown utilizing a still photograph, the present invention is not limited to still photographs, but may also be used on moving pictures, transparencies, drawings or paintings or any other type of image (hereinafter called a tangible image 1311) that may be digitized into a computer, as is understood by those skilled in the art. Computer system 1310 includes a microprocessor based unit 1320 and a display 1321 having a screen 1322. Microprocessor-based unit 1320 is adapted to receive and process software programs as instructions to performing various processing functions. Software programs may be received by and instruct the microprocessor based unit 1320 either from a magnetic storage medium (floppy disc or diskette) 1323 which is typically inserted directly into the microprocessor based unit 1320 in an appropriate disc reader or drive 1325, or the software may be preprogrammed into ROM memory (e.g., an internal hard drive) or even RAM memory located within or connected to the microprocessor based unit 1320. A scanner 1324 is electrically connected to the microprocessor based unit 1320 for digitizing any tangible image 1311 (a photograph in Fig. 57, of a person jogging represents such a tangible image 1311 for the puφose of describing the present invention) placed on the scanner. As discussed above, scanner 1324 may accept different types of planar image mediums including, photographs, drawings, paintings. A transparency-type scanner 1327 may be used to input transparencies (e.g., slides), and negatives. Both scanners 1324 and 1327 may operate in a conventional manner as known by those skilled in the art to convert tangible image 1311 (such as the photograph ofthe person jogging) into a digitized image 1326 (which is shown in Fig. 57 being displayed on screen 1322 of monitor 1321). As is further discussed below, once tangible image 1311 is scanned, digital image data representing digital image 1326 may be electronically transmitted to microprocessor based unit 1320 and electronically manipulated. As understood by those skilled in the art, digitized image 1326 contains a plurality of pixels, each having a particular color value (either "true or pseudo) for color tangible images 1311, such as a color photograph, and intensity and gray scale value for black and white tangible images 1311. A tangible image 1311 maybe converted to digital image 1326 using scanner 1324, as discussed above, or alternately, may be "read" directly in a digital format, such as when using a digital camera 1328 to take a picture, for example, of a subject, such as a person jogging. The subject image information is directly converted into a digital pixel format within the camera 1328 and typically stored on a portable memory card 1329 (or in some cases on a diskette-type memory card 1323). The digitized image data ofthe person jogging, for example, may be downloaded into computer 1320 using any conventional means, as discussed above, so that the microprocessor of computer 1320 has direct and immediate access to the digital image data. Also, the digital image 1326 may be provided by downloading digital image data directly from a memory source, such as floppy disc 1323, a memory card 1329, an appropriate CD-ROM storage disc 1330 which may be read using a CD-ROM reader 1332, or the computer's internal hard drive (not shown). Furthermore, digital image 1326 maybe generated using a commercially available digitizer pad 1334 (a tablet) which converts realtime hand drawing movements and pressure information using a stylus 1336 into digital data representing a digital image 1326. Digital image 1326 may also be created using a conventional mouse 1338, keyboard 1344, or using a monitor such as monitor 1321 wherein its screen 1322 includes touch-screen functionality. Digital image 1326 may be generated using any appropriate input peripheral, as discussed above, used alone or in any combination, and further in combination with an appropriate drawing software, such as Adobe's PhotoShop®, Adobe's Illustrator®, FreeHand®, AutoCad® offered by AutoDesk, and Paint®. A software program incoφorating the digital imaging method ofthe present invention is capable of accepting and modifying digital image data independent of other software programs. However, the present method may alternatively be incoφorated within or may operate in cooperation with various other imaging software programs. Furthermore, as discussed in greater detail below, the present digital imaging software program may be incoφorated into the local hard drive memory (or other portable memory medium) of microprocessor based unit 1320, used over the Internet 1342, or according to one embodiment ofthe invention, provided in a memory source located in scanner 1324 or digital camera 1328. As shown inFig. 57, display 1321 is electrically connected to microprocessor based unit 1320 for displaying user-related information associated with the present software. Keyboard 1344, mouse 1338, digitizer tablet 1334 and touch-sensitive screen 1322 are also electrically connected to the microprocessor based unit 1320 and allow the user to input information and instructions or commands to the operating software. As is well known, keyboard 1344, mouse 1338, digitizer tablet 1334, and touch-sensitive screen 1322 may each or in combination be used to control the relative position of a cursor (or selector) 1346 located on the display screen 1322 and for selecting an item on which the cursor 1346 overlays, such as selecting a group of pixels within the digitized image, or selecting an option box from a pull-down menu, or typing in a command. Regardless how the digital image 1326 is created, as discussed above, the digital data making up digital image 1326 is preferably inputted into the computer' s hard drive or the computer's random access memory (RAM) so that the digital data can be quickly and easily manipulated by the present computer software program. It is preferred that once the digital image 1326 is downloaded to the local computer's memory (such as its RAM or its hard drive), the present software program maybe operated using only mouse 1338 and cursor 1346, as is typical with current software programs. A display controller or video card (not shown) is a hardware circuit board that is used to inteφret the drawing commands of a particular software program or instructions conveyed by mouse 1338, digitizer 1334 or keyboard 1344 and drive display 1321 so that display screen 1322 displays an inputted digital image 1326. In operation, the display controller determines which pixels are being drawn, their location, and their color value. The pixels are "drawn" when the video card stores the new pixel values into a two-dimensional array called "a bitmap". Once this "front end" pixel bitmap is complete, a video "back end" operation ofthe video controller inteφrets the bitmap pixel values into their set colors and creates the necessary video signals that drive display 1321 so the user can see the "correctly drawn" digital image 1326 on display screen 1322. The bitmap values are "read" each time the display screen 1322 is "refreshed" which, in the case of a typical cathode ray tube (CRT), occurs about 60-80 times a second. As understood by those skilled in the art, the color value of each pixel of digital image 1326 is typically represented using RGB color space wherein red, green and blue (RGB) component values are used to determine the color "signature" of each pixel. There are generally 256 levels of each of these three colors from which to select in determining the color signature for each pixel. The RGB color information may be stored directly into the bitmap (a "true color system"). In a "pseudo color system" the bitmap information includes color value numbers only and the actual RGB color components that each color value represents must be translated using stored color-lookup tables before each pixel's actual color may be displayed. An important feature of the present invention is to provide a method to digitally transform an inputted digital image of a tangible photographic image into a painted version ofthe image, that is to alter the original image so that it looks like it was painted, not merely photographed. The present method turns an otherwise simple photograph into a classical work of art (i.e., a painting). To this end, the present method will include preset pixel-altering criteria which mimics the style of known painters (or painting eras) and thereby introduces the artist's painting characteristics into the digital image. For example, the present method may thereby alter the pixels of a digital image 1326 of a photograph of a still life of two pears on a table so that the altered digital image appears like it was painted by the artist Van Gogh. Using the present methods, described below, the user may preselect which artist (such as Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, or even Magritte, etc.) or painting era (such as impressionism, realism, cubism, etc.) he or she wishes his or her inputted digital image 1326 to resemble as a painted- version ofthe original tangible (non-digital) image 1311. Using the present methods, the user may quickly and easily convert a simple photograph of a girl reaching up to pick an apple in a tree into a painting-real digital image that looks like Monet himself painted her using Monet-style impressionism brush strokes. To simplify the use of a software program performing the present methods, the method will preferably default to one particular type of artist, such as Monet, after which the user may selectively change to other listed artists or painting eras as desired. Once digital image 1326 is downloaded to microprocessor based unit 1320, the digital image 1326 appears on a portion of display screen 1322 and the method, by "reading" the bitmap, will become aware of the "color-signature" (i.e., the color value) of each pixel at each pixel address making up the particular digital image 1326 which is being displayed on a portion of display screen 1322. Referring to Figs. 58 and 59, a digitized image of a person jogging is shown as an illustrative example ofthe present method. Figure 58 represents a digital image 1326, which may be the digital representation of a tangible image 1311 (discussed above) or a subject (such as when using a digital camera 1328). Figure 3 represents an altered, texture- enhanced digital image 1350. The digital image 1326 in this example includes a woman 1352 j ogging in the foreground in front of two trees 1354 located mid-ground and two other smaller trees 1356 located in the background. Finally, short ferns 1358 are located in the immediate foreground. The woman 1352 has fair skin (i.e., her face 1360 and her hand 1362), and blond hair 1364. She is wearing a dark bluejacket 1366 and a light blue pair of jogging pants 1368. According to the invention, after the digital image 1326 has been inputted into the computer 1310, the software program following the present method "reads" the bitmap which has been "loaded" with the digital image 1326 and automatically searches and isolates pixels having a common color signature or color value. Pixel commonality may include groups of pixels which have color component values that are within a default RGB color value range, e.g., up to 30 levels of red, green or blue. The process used with the present method of reading the bitmap to locate pixels of common color value may be similar to the "magic wand" feature of PhotoShop®. In the example shown in Figs. 58 and 59, the bitmap ofthe digital image 1326 (Fig. 58) will reveal that the pixels making up the dark bluejacket 1366 ofthe image all have a common color signature (all RGB values are within 30 color levels within each color component, red, green, and blue), or in other words, all ofthe dark bluejacket pixels appear to have a similar shade ofthe color blue (within a preset, but changeable color range). The "jacket" pixels will define one "working region" ofthe digital image. Similarly, the pixels making up the woman's light blue jogging pants will be read as having a common color signature and will therefore form another working region of the digital image. The woman's face 1360 and her hand 1362 will form a third working region because of their pixel commonality (e.g., skin tone), while the mid-ground trees 1354, the background trees 1356, and the foreground ferns 1358 may all be inteφreted by the present method as being additional and separate "working regions" ofthe digital image 1326. After all the working regions are defined in the example image shown in Fig. 58, the method will apply a predetermined texture to each working region using predetermined criteria which vary according to the selected artist, the size of the working regions, the color of each working region, and whether a particular working region is defined as a foreground image, as described below. Regardless, it is likely that a different texture will be applied to each working region, similar to a real painting wherein the particular brush strokes applying paint will vary depending on the style of painting, the type of paint, (water colors, oils, etc.), the size, shape, and importance of the various objects or subjects throughout the painting, and the desired mood the painter wants the painting to instill when viewed. Returning to the example of Figs. 58 and 59, after the present method applies a different texture to each defined working region the image of Fig. 58 begins to resemble a painting, which is illustrated in Fig. 59. As shown in Fig. 59, the mid-ground trees 1354 have a different texture to the woman 1352 and the texture to the foreground ferns 1358 is different to the background trees 1356. By varying the texture applied to each working region, the altered image acquires depth, which helps the realism ofthe painting effects. Applicant also contemplates analyzing the pixel information to determine which working regions are "in focus" to determine "depth" of a particular digitized image. This information may be used to determine how each working region lies with respect to the others, as the real objects were positioned in the real world scene. This depth information of the working regions can be used determine brush stroke technique for each working region. According to one embodiment of the present invention, once the different working regions of a particular digital image are determined, the method automatically introduces an electronic texture to each working region, preferably a different type of texture or at least a different intensity ofthe same texture to each working region. If the textures are to represent the brush strokes of a painting, the present method will vary each pixel color value, depending on the particular artist selected by the user (or using the default-artist setting), within each working region to mimic the applied brush stroke within that particular working region. The default settings and the artist' s brush-stroke information for select artists is provided by the method and stored either locally in an appropriate database formed in local memory (e.g., hard drive) or downloaded or otherwise accessed when required over the Internet from a remotely located database. With reference to Fig. 60 and according to this embodiment ofthe invention, a user first inputs an image into the computer. At step 2100, the computer creates a bitmap ofthe inputted image and assigns color values to each pixel in a conventional manner. At step 2102, the method "reads" the newly created bitmap and determines pixel commonality, as described above, using predetermined pixel color ranges (such as within a color value of 30 of each RGB color component) to create different "working regions" ofthe image. The pixel color ranges may be stored in an appropriate accessible database 2104. At step 2106, a predetermined texture is applied to each working region according to a database 2108 of textures. The user may input at 2110 which type of artist or painting style he or she wishes to apply to the inputted image. At step 2112, the method displays the altered image (the image having applied textures to each working region). If the user (viewing the displayed altered image) likes the effects to the image as decision step 2114, he or she may then cause the method to save the altered image in an appropriate memory at step 2116 to be later printed out at step 2118. If the user does not like the displayed altered image, he or she may cause the method to automatically change (by a predetermined amount or by a random amount, or by values offered by the user) the parameters of the default settings used to determine pixel commonality at step 2120, after which the method will return to step 2102 and re-determine new working regions using the new pixel-commonality parameters (such as a color range value of 40 for each RGB color component). The process of Fig. 60 will continue until the user sees an altered image he or she likes. As described above, working regions may be defined by determining pixel commonality throughout the bit map within a predetermined level of resolution (e.g., a color range value of 40 for each RGB color component). Other methods may be used to help distinguish one working region from another. It is well known in the field of fractals that most objects in the real world have a unique and repeating pattern or texture which is present at various levels of resolution (for example, the branches of a tree have a pattern that resembles the veins of a leaf on that tree). Applicant contemplates using this information to establish a data base of texture signatures of various objects in the real world, such as trees, grass, rocks, ocean waves, clouds, and hills, etc. and further adding brush-stroke information associated with the various objects for various artists or painting eras. The pixels of a digitized image can be analyzed to identify patterns or textures "hidden" within the bit map values (e.g., every 5 th pixel has a level 30 green component). If commonality of textures of patterns is found within the digitized image, this information may be used to help define the working regions ofthe image. For example, if an image showing a girl standing next to a tree is analyzed, a recognizable pattern or texture at the pixel level of resolution may be used to help separate the group the pixels making up the girls face from the group of pixels making up the tree, because the "face" pixels will have a different texture signature or "fingeφrint" from the "tree" pixels. Applicant can further compare any recognized patterns or textures revealed within the digitized image with the pattern database discussed above. If there is a match, the related brush stroke information associated with that particular obj ect may be used to alter the electronic image accordingly. For example, a tree may be recognized by its inherent texture (regardless of whether the tree is "in focus" or not its texture will still be apparent). The pattern ofthe tree is already understood to be a tree in the database so that the brush stroke information associated with trees may be used in combination with the desired artist (such as Monet) to alter the digitized image more accurately. The end result is that the final tree ofthe altered image appears to have been painted by Monet. According to another embodiment of the invention, the present method automatically determines the relative area (planar size) of each working region and applies a different texture or effect accordingly. For example painters generally use smaller and thinner brush strokes when painting smaller elements of a painting to achieve detail. To this end, the present method automatically applies a first "fine" electronic texture (by changing the color values of select pixels within a working region) which would convey small brush strokes to any working regions having a small measured area. Similarly, a more "rough" electronic texture which would convey wider and longer and thicker brush strokes would be electronically applied (again by varying the color values of selected pixels) to larger working regions. Referring to Fig. 61, after the user inputs an image to be altered the method according to this embodiment of the invention will, at step 2200, create a bitmap of the inputted image and assign a color value to each pixel. At step 2202, the method compares the color values within the bitmap to determine pixel-commonality and thereby create working regions. At step 2204, the method measures the area of each working region using conventional pixel-counting techniques. At step 2206, the method applies a texture to each working region according to its measured area and the selected artist (as selected by the user at input 2207) from textures stored in database 2208. At step 2210, the method displays the altered image (i.e., the image having the applied textures). At step 2212, the method stores the altered image information in an appropriate memory location to be later printed out at step 2214. According to yet another embodiment ofthe invention, once all ofthe working regions are determined (or as each is determined), the present method highlights each working region, using any appropriate technique. One "highlighting" technique includes outlining each working region with a line having a predetermined thickness and defined by temporarily changing overlaid pixels with contrasting color values so that they may be readily seen against the color ofthe particular working region and adjacent regions (for example, if a blue region lies next to a red region, the program would pick a boundary line color that would contrast both regions, such as a green or black color). Also, the boundary line may be provided with multiple colors which change or appear to move along the boundary line with time to help the user see the boundary lines defining each working region ofthe digital image. According to this embodiment of the invention, the present method allows a user to preview the digital image 1326 after the working regions have been defined yet before the various textures have been applied. In doing so, the user may use cursor 1346 and mouse 1338 to select particular highlighted working regions in response to questions asked by the program, such as: "Please 'click' to select the working regions which represent the foreground subject(s) ofthe image". In the example shown in Fig. 58, the user would select the working regions which represent the woman, her face 1360, hair 1364, hand 1362, jacket 1366 and pants 1368. Once the present method learns the "depth" information of a particular digital image (which adjacent working regions represents the subject), the present method may once again automatically applies different textures to each working region, but now may apply a common texture to the working regions having "common depth", i.e., those working regions which represent a common subject ofthe digital image. This selectively application of common texture helps create a realistic painting effect ofthe original digital image 1326. Referring to Fig. 62, after the user inputs an image to be altered the method according to this embodiment of the invention will, at step 2300, create a bitmap of the inputted image and assign a color value to each pixel. At step 2302, the method compares the color values within the bitmap to determine pixel-commonality and thereby create working regions. At step 2304, the method highlights each working region, preferably all at the same time. At step 2306. the method displays the highlighted working regions so that the user may select a foreground working region at input 2308. At step 2310, the method applies a texture to each working region according to selected artist (as selected by the user at input 2312) and the selected foreground working region, from textures stored in database 2314. At step 2316, the method re-displays the altered image (i.e., the image having the applied textures). At step 2318, the method stores the altered image information in an appropriate memory location to be later printed out at step 2320. As shown in Fig. 63 and according to yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, since the edges or boundary lines 1370 of each working region 1371 are known (in the bitmap), all pixels located adjacent to the boundary lines (within a predetermined range) are re-defined as edge regions 1372. To further mimic the real-life brush strokes of an artist into a digital image 1326, the pixels located within each edge region 1372 are altered to convey a "directional brush stroke" which is applied to the bitmap (i.e., the digital image) according to the direction (or shape) of the particular boundary line, and the type of artist selected by the user. For example, if Rembrandt was selected as the artist, the present method, according to this embodiment ofthe invention, would introduce an electronic texture within the edge regions 1372 which would convey directional brush strokes that generally follow in the direction or path of the adjacent boundary line 1370, creating a smooth, well defined "realistic" transition between two working regions (two adjacent regions of different color shades). In contrast, as another example, if Monet was selected as the artist, the texture applied within the edge regions would convey directional brush strokes which would appear at an angle with respect to the boundary line 1370, and in some cases the brush strokes may actually overlap from one edge region 1372 to another edge region 1372 of an adjacent working region, creating a diluted, soft, and "impressionistic" transition from a working region of a first color shade to an adjacent one of a different color shade. Referring to Fig. 64, after the user inputs an image to be altered the method according to this embodiment of the invention will, at step 2400, create a bitmap of the inputted image and assign a color value to each pixel. At step 2402, the method compares the color values within the bitmap to determine pixel-commonality and thereby create working regions. At step 2404, the method uses the bitmap to define edge regions 1372. The edge regions 1372 follow the shape of the corresponding boundary line 1370 of the particular working region and have a predetermined thickness which may vary according to various parameters such as measured area of the working region (or perhaps the selected artist or painting style). At step 2406, the present method applies a texture to each working region according to selected artist (as selected by the user at input 2408) and the selected foreground working region, from textures stored in database 2410. At step 2412, the method applies a predetermined paint-stroke to each edge 1370 region according to the particular direction and location of the boundary line 1370 of the particular working region. The paint-stroke information regarding the type, size, shape, "weight" and direction of each paint-stroke and how to apply each such paint-stroke within the edge region according to the size and shape ofthe edge region and the direction ofthe boundary line 1370 and according to the selected artist is provided in a database of paint-strokes 2414. At step 2416, the method displays the altered digital image showing texture variations in both the edge regions and the working regions throughout the image. The altered image may be stored in an appropriate memory at step 2418 and printed out on paper (or any other tangible medium) at step 2420. The present method would apply a predetermined texture to each working region and edge region, according to the painting era or particular artist selected, the measured area of each working region, and any working regions that are manually grouped together by the user as desired. The preferred electronic brush stroke textures applied to the digital image according to the present method preferably vary in shape, size, depth or "weight" (introducing electronic shadowing effects to each brush stroke to mimic a thickness to the "paint", to give the illusion of a pallet-knife effect), starting and ending width, direction of stroke with respect to boundary information or otherwise (more vertical, or more horizontal), strokes created by different types of real-life brushes, such as strokes created using a "fan" type brush or a straight thick brush or a fine detailed brush, or even a wash effect using a sponge applicator. Furthermore, the pixels within each working region may be altered in such a manner to convey water-color paintings wherein the boundary lines between working regions may be detected and changed to a white color to mimic a water-color artist's painting technique to prevent wash-through of adjacent colors or regions. Alternatively, an electronic "wash- through" effect may be introduced in a controlled manner across all or selected boundary lines between adjacent working regions to convey a "color-wash" or "bleeding" effect commonly used by water-color artists in the real world. According to yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, after the user loads a particular digital image into the computer, the present method will automatically detect all working regions, apply a predetermined texture to each region following preset default criteria, as discussed in earlier embodiments, and display the altered image for the user's review. Referring to Figs. 65 and 66, the method according to this embodiment electronically displays a user interaction window 1380 on the display screen 1322. The window 1380 preferably includes a first review panel 1382, a second review panel 1384 and at least a control button 1386 (which may be selected using mouse 1338 and cursor 1346) which is labeled " RE-PAINT", and may include another control button 1388 labeled "PREVIOUS" and a third control button 1390 labeled "SELECT". In operation of this embodiment, the original digital image 1392 is first displayed in the first review panel 1382 and the method automatically applies predetermined texture, as described above, thereby creating a first altered image (or a first "painting") 1394. The first painting 1394 is displayed in the first review panel 1382, and the original image 1392 is automatically transferred to the adjacent second display review panel 1384, as is illustrated in Fig. 65. If the user likes the first painting 1394 shown in the first review panel 1382 (as readily compared with the "previous" original image 1392 presented in the second review panel 1384), the user may use the mouse 1338 and cursor 1346 in a conventional manner to select the "SELECT" button 1390, at which point the present method will save the altered "first painting" 1394. However, if the user does not like the first painting attempt, he or she may select the "RE-PAINT" button 1386, at which point, the present method will change predetermined criteria, such as the level or intensity ofthe applied textures, the type of texture used, the use of edge regions and edge brush strokes, the particular artist, the particular brush strokes used, the painting era or type, or any ofthe criteria used to define either the working regions or the edge regions, and re-alter the original image 1392 or the first painting 1394 (preferably the original image will be "re-painted"). Once a second painting 1396 (of the original image 1392) is completed, the method will display the second painting 1396 within the first review panel 1382, at which point the first painting 1394 will be automatically transferred to the second review panel, and the original image 1392 will preferably be temporarily stored in memory and removed from view. The user may now simply compare the first and second paintings shown on the screen. The user may press the "SELECT" button 1390 to save the second painting 1396 shown in the first review panel 1382, or may press the "RE-PAINT" button 1386 to have the present method repeat the altering process by again changes one or more altering parameters, as discussed above, to create a third painting (not shown), which would be displayed in first review panel 1382. moving the second painting 1396 over to the second review panel 1384, and transferring the first painting into temporary RAM storage (out of view). Finally, the user may "go back" to view the first painting 1394 with the original image 1392, by selecting the "PREVIOUS" button 1388. This would cause the present method to recall the original image 1392 from RAM memory and move the second painting 1396 into RAM memory and off the screen. One advantage ofthe present method, illustrated in Figs. 65 and 66 is that the user may quickly and easily have an original image altered in a progressively varying manner until he or she likes a particular version. The method may simply follow a predetermined sequence of varying parameters to provide painting-like images, each of which appears different from a previous one. The user doesn't have to learn any complex digital imaging programs and manually apply each and every effect to create a "painting" from a photograph. He or she can create a desired painting effect by simply pressing a button. The invention may continuously "re-paint" the same digital image, as requested by the user, each time varying one or more parameters or criteria in a bracketing manner, until the user finds a desired "combination" of digital imaging variables. Once a particular digital image 1326 is successfully altered using the present program, the user may transmit the altered digital image data to a conventional printer 1398 (see Fig. 57) to print the altered digital image onto a tangible medium, or to a conventional and appropriate memory location, such as the computer's hard drive, an optical CD, magnetic storage discs, or sent over the Internet directly to a web-site, or included with (or as an attachment to) an E-mail (electronic mail sent over the Internet 1342). Also, the user may send the altered digital image data over the Internet to a pre- established location which may print the electronic "painting" onto a tangible medium, such as canvas, paper, or clothing or simply display the altered image (the "painting") at a web site on the Internet. A software program including the methods ofthe present invention may also be located at a remote program site and may be accessed using the Internet in a controlled manner by a user at a local site. In such instance, the user would digitize a tangible image to a digital image and transmit the digital image to the program site. The software program, located at the remote program site would alter the digital image, according to instructions by the user and would return the altered digital image over the Internet to the user's local site and/or printout the altered digital image onto a tangible medium, as described above. The above-described methods may operate alone or in combination. A programmer may create an appropriate computer-readable set of instructions (a program) incoφorating the present methods so that the method may operate by a computer. Any appropriate computer language may be used to communicate with the computer, including "C", "C++", COBAL, and APL, or others as understood by programmers. Defining the Electronic Effects The methods ofthe invention described above are all intended to alter a digital image to look like it was painted by a particular artist or painting era. The above-described methods may use brush-stroke information which has been derived from actual paintings of selected artists and paintings from selected eras. An actual painting, for example, may be scanned using a laser scanner to allow a computer to "read" the brush-strokes the painter used to create the painting. The scanned graphic information of the subject painting is stored in electronic memory and digitally manipulated to extract the particulars ofthe painting strokes used throughout the subject painting. The manipulation step may include an averaging ofthe stroke details so that a generic pattern or texture may be electronically generated within the computer wherein the generated pattern or texture generally mimics the painting strokes of the particular artist. After many paintings are "read", a pattern ofthe painting style of each painter may be established. The resulting brush-stroke patterns may be used as a guide as various textures are electronically applied to a digital image, and described above.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An attachment for a camera for altering the collective light of an image prior to said image being recorded onto film, said camera having a lens aperture, a frame of film located at a film plane, and a lens, said attachment comprising: a transparent modifier positionable adjacent to said film plane; and means for distorting light, said distortion means being located on and formed integral with a surface of said transparent modifier, said distortion means being transparent so that light from said image is distorted at said focal plane thereby creating a distorted image which is recorded by said film, said distortion means imparting a grainy appearance to said image. 2. The camera attachment according to claim 1, wherein said transparent modifier is a plate and said camera attachment further comprises a slot, said slot defining a modifier plane which is parallel and adjacent to said film plane, said slot being sized and shaped to receive said transparent plate. 3. The camera attachment according to claim 2, wherein said slot includes means to prevent light from entering through said slot into said camera. 4. The camera attachment according to claim 1 , wherein said camera includes a shutter being operational within a film gate and wherein said transparent modifier is a semi¬ rigid plate and is sized and shaped to fit within said film gate between said shutter and said film. 5. The camera attachment according to claim 4, wherein said semi-rigid transparent plate includes detents which are positioned to engage a portion of said camera in such a manner as to retain said transparent plate within said film gate. 6. The camera attachment according to claim 1, wherein said film is supplied to the camera in a cartridge wherein said cartridge includes a supply roll of film, a film gate, and a take-up spool, and wherein said transparent modifier is attached to said cartridge, positioned within said film gate between said supply roll and said take-up spool. 7. A film for use with a camera, said film comprising: an elongated plastic substrate having a light sensitive emulsion; and, an elongated plastic translucent modifier attached to a portion of said plastic substrate in an overlapping relationship so that at least a portion of light directed at said film is modified prior to reaching said emulsion by said translucent modifier, said modifier including a grain-effecting texture which imparts a grainy appearance to simulate emulsion grain on said emulsion. 8. The film according to claim 7, wherein said plastic substrate and said translucent modifier are thin strips adapted to be rolled together on a spool and dispensed therefrom as necessary, once installed into a camera. 9. A disposable-type camera, comprising: a body having a front face and a rear face; a film plane located adjacent said rear face; a intermediate focal plane located a predetermined distance in front of said film plane; a first lens located in front of said intermediate focal plane, said first lens adapted to focus light from an image onto said intermediate focal plane; a transparent optical modifier located at said intermediate focal plane, said grain-effecting modifier adapted to selectively modify at least a portion of said light from said image, said grain-effecting modifier imparting a grainy appearance to said image; a second lens located between said intermediate focal plane and said film plane, said second lens adapted to focus said modified image from said intermediate focal plane onto said film plane. 10. The disposable-type camera according to claim 9, further comprising means for moving said transparent optical modifier between a first position wherein said modifier modifies a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 11. The disposable-type camera according to claim 9, further comprising a second transparent optical modifier and including means for positioning one of said first and said second transparent optical modifiers into said intermediate focal plane so that said selected optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image prior to said light exposing said film. 12. The disposable-type camera according to claim 11, wherein said first and second transparent optical modifiers are both mounted on a movable transport member which maybe moved within said intermediate focal plane between a first position wherein said first optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said second optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image. 13. The disposable-type camera according to claim 12, wherein said transport member further includes a position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 14. A camera, comprising: a body having a front and a rear; a film plane located adjacent said rear of said body; an intermediate focal plane located a predetermined distance in front of said film plane, said intermediate focal plane having a first depth of field; an image-receiving screen located at said intermediate focal plane and adapted to receive light from the image; a first lens located in front of said intermediate focal plane, said first lens adapted to focus light from an image onto said image-receiving screen; means for selectively deforming said image-receiving screen so that select de- focused portions of said image-receiving screen become displaced from said intermediate focal plane and positioned outside said first depth of field, said de-focused portions of said image-receiving screen causing said received light from said image to de-focus and create a selectively de-focused image; and a second lens located between said intermediate focal plane and said film plane, said second lens adapted to focus said selectively de-focused image onto said film plane. 15. An attachment for a camera for altering the collective light of an image prior to said image being recorded onto film, said camera having a lens aperture, a frame of film located at a film plane, and a lens, said attachment comprising: a transparent modifier positionable adjacent to said film plane; and means for distorting light, said distortion means being located on and formed integral with a surface of said transparent modifier, said distortion means being transparent so that light from said image is distorted at said focal plane thereby creating a distorted image which is recorded by said film. 16. The camera attachment according to claim 15, wherein said transparent modifier is a plate and said camera attachment further comprises a slot, said slot defining a modifier plane which is parallel and adjacent to said film plane, said slot being sized and shaped to receive said transparent plate. 17. The camera attachment according to claim 16, wherein said slot includes means to prevent light from entering through said slot into said camera. 18. The camera attachment according to claim 15, wherein said camera includes a shutter being operational within a film gate and wherein said transparent modifier is a semi-rigid plate and is sized and shaped to fit within said film gate between said shutter and said film. 19. The camera attachment according to claim 18, wherein said semi-rigid transparent plate includes detents which are positioned to engage a portion of said camera in such a manner as to retain said transparent plate within said film gate. 20. The camera attachment according to claim 15, wherein said film is supplied to the camera in a cartridge wherein said cartridge includes a supply roll of film, a film gate, and a take-up spool, and wherein said transparent modifier is attached to said cartridge, positioned within said film gate between said supply roll and said take-up spool. 21. A film for use with a camera, said film comprising: an elongated plastic substrate having a light sensitive emulsion; and, an elongated plastic translucent modifier attached to a portion of said plastic substrate in an overlapping relationship so that at least a portion of light directed at said film is modified prior to reaching said emulsion by said translucent modifier. 22. The film according to claim 21, wherein said plastic substrate and said translucent modifier are thin strips adapted to be rolled together on a spool and dispensed therefrom as necessary, once installed into a camera. 23. A disposable-type camera, comprising: a body having a front face and a rear face; a film plane located adjacent said rear face; a intermediate focal plane located a predetermined distance in front of said film plane; a first lens located in front of said intermediate focal plane, said first lens adapted to focus light from an image onto said intermediate focal plane; a transparent optical modifier located at said intermediate focal plane, said modifier adapted to selectively modify at least a portion of said light from said image; a second lens located between said intermediate focal plane and said film plane, said second lens adapted to focus said modified image from said intermediate focal plane onto said film plane. 24. The disposable-type camera according to claim 23, further comprising means for moving said transparent optical modifier between a first position wherein said modifier modifies a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 25. The disposable-type camera according to claim 23, further comprising a second transparent optical modifier and including means for positioning one of said first and said second transparent optical modifiers into said intermediate focal plane so that said selected optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image prior to said light exposing said film. 26. The disposable-type camera according to claim 25, wherein said first and second transparent optical modifiers are both mounted on a movable transport member which maybe moved within said intermediate focal plane between a first position wherein said first optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said second optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image. 27. The disposable-type camera according to claim 26, wherein said transport member further includes a position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 28. An attachment for a camera for altering the collective light of an image prior to said image being recorded onto film, said camera having a lens aperture, a frame of film located at a film plane, and a lens, said attachment comprising: an intermediate focal plane located a predetermined distance from said film plane between said film plane and said image; means for focusing said collective light of said image onto said intermediate focal plane; a transparent optical modifier located at said intermediate focal plane; means for distorting light, said distortion means being located on and formed integral with a surface of said transparent optical modifier, said distortion means being transparent so that light from said image is distorted at said intermediate focal plane to create a focused distorted intermediate image; and means for refocusing said focused distorted intermediate image from said intermediate focal plane to said film plane. 29. The camera attachment according to claim 28, further comprising means for moving said transparent optical modifier between a first position wherein said modifier modifies a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 30. The camera attachment according to claim 28, further comprising a second transparent optical modifier and including means for positioning one of said first and said second transparent optical modifiers into said intermediate focal plane so that said selected optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image prior to said light exposing said film. 31. The camera attachment according to claim 30, wherein said first and second transparent optical modifiers are both mounted on a movable transport member which maybe moved within said intermediate focal plane between a first position wherein said first optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image and a second position wherein said second optical modifier modifies at least a portion of said light from said image. 32. The camera attachment according to claim 31, wherein said transport member further includes a position wherein said light from said image reaches said film without modification. 33. The camera attachment according to claim 32, wherein said transport member is a turret which is rotatable about a pivot point. 34. The camera attachment according to claim 32, wherein said transport member is an elongated plate which is slidable between said first and second positions.

Inventors: HYLEN STEVEN H L, HYLEN, STEVEN, H., L.
Applicants: HYLEN STEVEN H L, SMARTLENS CORP, HYLEN, STEVEN, H., L., SMARTLENS CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G03B11
IPC codes: G03B1, G03B5, G03B9, G03B11, G03B15, G03B17, G03C3