Patent Publication Number: US-7899322-B2

Title: Photographing apparatus and method, and program

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and method and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and method and a program in which a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to a user with a small amount of data. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Some recent photographing apparatuses such as digital cameras have an assistant function for automatically setting up the best composition or automatically setting photographic conditions depending on the situation when a user photographs an object. 
     For example, a photographing apparatus configured such that a recommended-composition image at a photographing position obtained as global positioning system (GPS) information and a photographic image to be captured by a user are superimposed and displayed has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3833486). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3833486, however, it is necessary to obtain or store a recommended-composition image used as a sample image in accordance with a photographing position. Thus, the process of obtaining a recommended-composition image from a server or the like each time photographing is performed can involve considerable time depending on the communication state. Further, the process of storing a recommended-composition image in advance may lead to extra consumption of the memory capacity because a recommended-composition image is stored in addition to a photographed image. 
     It is therefore desirable to present a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like to a user with a small amount of data. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a photographing apparatus includes the following elements. Photographing means photographs an object. Position detecting means detects a position of the photographing apparatus. Direction detecting means detects a direction in which the photographing apparatus is oriented when the photographing means photographs the object. Angle-of-view detecting means detects an angle of view of an image photographed by the photographing means. Recommended-composition information obtaining means obtains recommended-composition information based on the position detected by the position detecting means, the recommended-composition information including a recommended angle of view of the image photographed at the position and a recommended direction of the photographing apparatus. Angle-of-view comparing means compares the angle of view detected by the angle-of-view detecting means with the recommended angle of view. Angle-of-view adjusting means adjusts the angle of view detected by the angle-of-view detecting means in accordance with a comparison result obtained by the angle-of-view comparing means. Direction comparing means compares the direction detected by the direction detecting means with the recommended direction. Presenting means presents, in accordance with a comparison result obtained by the direction comparing means, direction-change instruction information for instructing changing of the direction in which the photographing apparatus is oriented when the photographing means photographs the object. 
     The presenting means can present, in accordance with a comparison result obtained by the direction comparing means, an image of the object and a direction-change instruction image for instructing changing of the direction in which the photographing apparatus is oriented when the photographing means photographs the object. 
     The photographing apparatus can further include composition determining means for determining whether or not the image presented by the presenting means has a recommended composition, the recommended composition being indicated by the recommended-composition information, and instructs recording of the image when the image has the recommended composition. 
     The recommended-composition information can further include a name of the object in an image photographed at the position with the recommended angle of view and in the recommended direction, and the presenting means can present the name on the image of the object. 
     The recommended-composition information obtaining means can obtain the recommended-composition information from recommended-composition information storage means for storing the recommended-composition information, the recommended-composition information storage means being provided in an information processing apparatus externally connected to the photographing apparatus. 
     The photographing apparatus can further include recommended-composition information storage means for storing the recommended-composition information, and the recommended-composition information obtaining means can obtain the recommended-composition information from the recommended-composition information storage means. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a photographing method includes the steps of photographing an object; detecting a position of a device that photographs the object; detecting a direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of photographing; detecting an angle of view of an image photographed in the step of photographing; obtaining recommended-composition information based on the position detected in the step of detecting a position, the recommended-composition information including a recommended angle of view of the image photographed at the position and a recommended direction; comparing the angle of view detected in the step of detecting an angle of view with the recommended angle of view; adjusting the angle of view detected in the step of detecting an angle of view in accordance with a comparison result obtained in the step of comparing the angle of view; comparing the direction detected in the step of detecting a direction with the recommended direction; and presenting, in accordance with a comparison result obtained in the step of comparing the direction, direction-change instruction information for instructing changing of the direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of photographing. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a program causes a computer to execute a process comprising the steps of controlling photographing of an object; detecting a position of a device that photographs the object; detecting a direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of controlling photographing; detecting an angle of view of an image photographed in the step of controlling photographing; obtaining recommended-composition information based on the position detected in the step of detecting a position, the recommended-composition information including a recommended angle of view of the image photographed at the position and a recommended direction; comparing the angle of view detected in the step of detecting an angle of view with the recommended angle of view; adjusting the angle of view detected in the step of detecting an angle of view in accordance with a comparison result obtained in the step of comparing the angle of view; comparing the direction detected in the step of detecting a direction with the recommended direction; and performing control to present, in accordance with a comparison result obtained in the step of comparing the direction, direction-change instruction information for instructing changing of the direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of controlling photographing. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an object is photographed; a position of a device that photographs the object is detected; a direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of photographing is detected; an angle of view of a photographed image is detected; recommended-composition information including a recommended angle of view of the image photographed at the position and a recommended direction is obtained based on the detected position; the angle of view detected in the step of detecting an angle of view is compared with the recommended angle of view; the detected angle of view is adjusted in accordance with the comparison result; the detected direction is compared with the recommended direction; and direction-change instruction information for instructing changing of the direction in which the device is oriented when the object is photographed in the step of photographing is presented in accordance with the comparison result. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, therefore, a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to a user with a small amount of data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an example of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an example functional configuration of the photographing apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an example functional configuration of a server; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus and a recommended-composition information providing process of the server; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a search for recommended-composition information; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a search for recommended-composition information; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the comparison between a current direction and a recommended direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of a direction-change instruction image; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of a displayed image having a recommended composition; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing another example of a displayed image having a recommended composition; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a search for recommended-composition information; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing an example functional configuration of a photographing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing an example of a displayed image including the names of objects; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing an example functional configuration of a photographing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing an example functional configuration of a photographing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an example of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a photographing apparatus  11  and a server  12  are connected to each other via a network  13 . 
     When a user enters a photographing instruction, the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 1  requests the server  12  via the network  13  about information indicating the best composition (composition of a famous landscape or building) at a corresponding photographing position. The server  12  has a database in which each photographing position is associated with information indicating the composition (recommended composition) recommended at the photographing position (recommended-composition information). In response to a request from the photographing apparatus  11 , the server  12  sends the recommended-composition information corresponding to the photographing position. The photographing apparatus  11  obtains the recommended-composition information, which has been sent from the server  12 , from the server  12  via the network  13 . The network  13  may be, for example, the Internet. The photographing apparatus  11  may be connected to the network  13  through, for example, a base station (not shown). The number of photographing apparatuses  11  which are connected to the network  13  is not limited to one. A plurality of photographing apparatuses  11  may be connected to the network  13 . 
     An example functional configuration of the photographing apparatus  11  will now be described with reference to a block diagram shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a photographing unit  31 , an image processing unit  32 , a display control unit  33 , a display unit  34 , an operation input unit  35 , an angle-of-view control unit  36 , a recording control unit  37 , a recording unit  38 , a position detection unit  39 , an angle-of-view detection unit  40 , a direction detection unit  41 , a communication unit  42 , a recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , an angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and a direction comparing unit  45 . 
     Further, a drive  46  is connected to the photographing apparatus  11  as necessary. A removable medium  47  such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is placed in the drive  46  as desired. The drive  46  is controlled by a control unit (not shown) to install or record a computer program or data read from the removable medium  47  placed therein into the recording unit  38  as necessary. 
     The photographing unit  31  is configured to include an optical lens, an image pickup element, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion unit (all of which are not shown). The photographing unit  31  captures an image of an object by receiving, using the image pickup element, light incident on the optical lens and performing photoelectric conversion on the received light, and performs A/D conversion on a resulting analog image signal. The photographing unit  31  supplies digital image data obtained as a result of the A/D conversion to the image processing unit  32 . 
     The image processing unit  32  performs digital signal processing on the image data from the photographing unit  31 , such as noise removal, and supplies resulting image data to the display control unit  33  and the recording control unit  37 . 
     The display control unit  33  controls displaying of an image on the display unit  34  on the basis of the image data supplied from the image processing unit  32 . The display control unit  33  also controls displaying of a direction-change instruction image on the display unit  34  on the basis of a comparison result supplied from the direction comparing unit  45 . The direction-change instruction image may be an image for instructing the user to change the photographing direction. The comparison result supplied from the direction comparing unit  45  will be described below. 
     The operation input unit  35  detects a user operation that has been performed on various buttons disposed on the photographing apparatus  11 , such as a shutter button, a power button, a zoom button, a cursor command button, and a menu button (all of which are not shown), and supplies a signal (operation signal) corresponding to the user operation to the angle-of-view control unit  36  and the recording control unit  37 . 
     The angle-of-view control unit  36  controls the focal length in the photographing unit  31  on the basis of an operation signal supplied from the operation input unit  35  or a comparison result supplied from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  to adjust the angle of view. The comparison result supplied from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  will be described below. 
     The recording control unit  37  controls recording of the image data supplied from the image processing unit  32  onto the recording unit  38  on the basis of an operation signal supplied from the operation input unit  35  which corresponds to a user operation that has been performed on the shutter button. 
     The position detection unit  39  may be, for example, a GPS sensor. Upon receipt of a radio wave from a geodetic satellite, the position detection unit  39  sends position information indicating a measured current position of the photographing apparatus  11  to the server  12  through the communication unit  42 . 
     The angle-of-view detection unit  40  calculates an angle of view from the focal length in the photographing unit  31  and a frame size, and supplies the angle of view to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 . 
     The direction detection unit  41  includes, for example, an electronic compass and an acceleration sensor. The electronic compass is composed of a magnetic element such as a Hall element and is configured to detect a geomagnetic direction to detect the azimuth. The acceleration sensor is configured to detect the inclination (elevation angle). Therefore, the direction detection unit  41  detects the azimuth and elevation angle of the photographing apparatus  11  that is directed toward the object during photographing, and supplies the azimuth and elevation angle to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     The communication unit  42  may be a network interface or the like. The communication unit  42  establishes a communication with an external device (e.g., the server  12 ) via the network  13  such as the Internet. 
     The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  obtains recommended-composition information indicating a composition to be obtained at the photographing position, which has been sent from the server  12  through the communication unit  42 . The recommended-composition information includes at least recommended-angle-of-view information and recommended-direction information. The recommended-angle-of-view information indicates an angle of view at which the recommended composition is obtained at the photographing position, and the recommended-direction information indicates a direction (azimuth and elevation angle) in which the recommended composition is obtained at the photographing position. The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  supplies the recommended-angle-of-view information included in the obtained recommended-composition information to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and supplies the recommended-direction information included in the recommended-composition information to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     The angle-of-view comparing unit  44  compares the current angle of view supplied from the angle-of-view detection unit  40  with a recommended angle of view indicated by the recommended-angle-of-view information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and supplies a comparison result to the angle-of-view control unit  36 . The angle-of-view control unit  36  adjusts the current angle of view on the basis of the comparison result supplied from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 . 
     The direction comparing unit  45  compares the current direction (azimuth and elevation angle) supplied from the direction detection unit  41  with a recommended direction indicated by the recommended-direction information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and supplies a comparison result to the display control unit  33 . The display control unit  33  causes the display unit  34  to display a direction-change instruction image for instructing the user to change the photographing direction on the basis of the comparison result supplied from the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     An example functional configuration of the server  12  will now be described with reference to a block diagram shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The server  12  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a communication unit  61 , a search unit  62 , a recommended-composition information database (DB)  63 , and a DB management unit  64 . 
     The communication unit  61  may be a network interface or the like. The communication unit  61  establishes a communication with an external device (e.g., the photographing apparatus  11 ) via the network  13  such as the Internet. 
     The search unit  62  searches the recommended-composition information DB  63  for, based on position information indicating the current position of the photographing apparatus  11 , which has been received from the photographing apparatus  11  through the communication unit  61 , recommended-composition information corresponding to the position information, and sends the detection result (i.e., the recommended-composition information) to the photographing apparatus  11  through the communication unit  61 . 
     The recommended-composition information DB  63  stores, under management of the DB management unit  64 , position information indicating photographing positions, which has been input from an input unit (not shown), and recommended-composition information indicating recommended compositions to be obtained at the photographing positions so that the position information and the recommended-composition information are associated with each other. 
     The DB management unit  64  manages the data stored in the recommended-composition information DB  63  (that is, the position information and the recommended-composition information), and performs processing such as addition, update, or deletion of data in accordance with an instruction from the input unit (not shown). 
     Next, a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus  11  and a recommended-composition information providing process of the server  12  will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In step S 11 , the position detection unit  39 , angle-of-view detection unit  40 , direction detection unit  41  of the photographing apparatus  11  detect the current position, the current angle of view, and the direction (azimuth and elevation angles), respectively. 
     In step S 12 , the position detection unit  39  sends position information indicating the detected current position to the server  12  through the communication unit  42 . The process proceeds to step S 31 . At this time, the angle-of-view detection unit  40  supplies the detected (calculated) angle of view to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and the direction detection unit  41  supplies the detected direction to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     In step S 31 , the search unit  62  of the server  12  receives the position information indicating the current position of the photographing apparatus  11 , which has been sent from the photographing apparatus  11 . 
     In step S 32 , the search unit  62  searches the recommended-composition information DB  63  for, based on the position information, the recommended-composition information corresponding to the position information. 
     Here, the search for recommended-composition information by the search unit  62  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between the current position of the photographing apparatus  11  and the recommended-composition information stored in the recommended-composition information DB  63 . 
     In a map shown in  FIG. 5 , a plot P represents the current position of the photographing apparatus  11 , and an isosceles triangle whose apex is the plot P (indicated by the encircled “ 1 ”) represents the azimuth to which the photographing apparatus  11  is directed at the plot P and the angle of view. That is, in the map shown in  FIG. 5  where north is up, the photographing apparatus  11  at the position corresponding to the plot P is directed toward the south. 
     In  FIG. 5 , furthermore, line segments r 1  to r 7  indicate recommended-composition information associated with position information regarding positions near the current position indicated by the plot P in the recommended-composition information DB  63 . In other words, each of the line segments r 1  to r 7  indicates a plane where a recommended composition is obtained. 
     When the search unit  62  searches for recommended-composition information on the basis of the position information received from the photographing apparatus  11  in the state shown in  FIG. 5 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , recommended-composition information corresponding to the line segment r 6  is found. That is, the composition indicated by the line segment r 6  is the best composition as the composition of photographing at the current position indicated by the plot P. The angle of view (recommended angle of view) and azimuth (recommended azimuth) obtained at this time are represented by an isosceles triangle whose apex is the plot P, which is indicated by the encircled “ 2 ” in  FIG. 6 . That is, the recommended azimuth at the current position indicated by the plot P is the southwest direction, and the recommended angle of view is represented by the length of the base of the isosceles triangle. 
     In this manner, the search unit  62  searches for, based on the position information about the photographing apparatus  11 , recommended-angle-of-view information corresponding to the position information. 
     Referring back to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , in step S 33 , the search unit  62  sends the found recommended-composition information to the photographing apparatus  11  through the communication unit  61 . The process proceeds to step S 13 . 
     In step S 13 , the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  of the photographing apparatus  11  receives (obtains) the recommended-composition information sent from the server  12  through the communication unit  42 . The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  supplies recommended-angle-of-view information included in the obtained recommended-composition information to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and also supplies recommended direction information included in the recommended-composition information to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     In step S 14 , the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  compares the current angle of view supplied from the angle-of-view detection unit  40  with a recommended angle of view represented by the recommended-angle-of-view information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and supplies a comparison result to the angle-of-view control unit  36 . 
     In step S 15 , the angle-of-view control unit  36  controls the focal length in the photographing unit  31  according to the comparison result supplied from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  so that the difference between the current angle of view and the recommended angle of view can be reduced, thereby adjusting the current angle of view. 
     In step S 16 , the direction comparing unit  45  compares the current direction (azimuth and elevation angle) supplied from the direction detection unit  41  with a recommended direction indicated by the recommended direction information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and supplies a comparison result to the display control unit  33 . 
     Here, the comparison between the current direction and the recommended direction indicated by the recommended direction information will now be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , a composition represented by the x 1 y 1 z 1  coordinates is the current composition, and a composition represented by the x 2 y 2 z 2  coordinates is the recommended composition. In the illustration of  FIG. 7 , the origin of the x 1 y 1 z i  coordinates and the origin of the x 2 y 2 z 2  coordinates are apart from each other. In actuality, the origins are located at the same point. 
     In this case, the direction comparing unit  45  calculates the amount of rotation from the x 1 y 1 z 1  coordinates to the x 2 y 2 z 2  coordinates, and supplies the calculated amount of rotation to the display control unit  33  as a comparison result between the current direction and the recommended direction. That is, the deviation between the direction for photographing the recommended composition and the current direction is calculated as the amount of rotation. 
     Referring back to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , in step S 17 , the display control unit  33  causes the display unit  34  to display an image having the current composition and a direction-change instruction image for instructing the user to change the photographing direction on the basis of the comparison result supplied from the direction comparing unit  45  so that the amount of rotation from the x 1 y 1 z 1  coordinates to the x 2 y 2 z 2  coordinates can be reduced. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the display control unit  33  may cause an arrow  81  serving as a direction-change instruction image to be displayed (presented) on the right end of the display unit  34 . 
     The process shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 4  is repeatedly executed until the comparison result (the amount of rotation) between the current direction and the recommended direction becomes zero in step S 16 . That is, the user repeats the operation of checking the arrow  81  shown in  FIG. 8  and changing the direction of the photographing apparatus  11  to the direction indicated by the arrow  81  is. When the comparison result (the amount of rotation) between the current direction and the recommended direction becomes zero, the arrow  81  disappears, and a recommended composition shown in  FIG. 9  is displayed on the display unit  34 . 
     Instead of the arrow  81  serving as a direction-change instruction image shown in  FIG. 8 , any other technique for instructing the user to change the photographing direction may be used. For example, the user may be instructed to change the photographing direction by speech (direction change instruction speech) output from an audio output unit (not shown). 
     According to the foregoing process, it is not necessary to obtain a recommended-composition image to be compared with the current composition or store the recommended-composition image in advance, and only recommended-composition information corresponding to the current position is obtained from the server  12 . Thus, a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to a user with a small amount of data. 
     Consequently, it is not necessary to download a large volume of data during photographing. In addition, extra consumption of the memory capacity can be reduced. 
     In the foregoing description, the composition shown in  FIG. 9  is the recommended composition. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a frame  101  indicating a recommended composition may be displayed in a composition obtained when the direction of the photographing apparatus  11  becomes the recommended direction. In this case, the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  calculates the size and position of the frame  101  to be displayed on the display unit  34  from the recommended-angle-of-view information, and supplies the calculation results to the display control unit  33 . The display control unit  33  causes the frame  101  to be displayed on the display unit  34  on the basis of the calculation results supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , a recommended composition is displayed by adjusting the angle of view in accordance with the frame  101  by the angle-of-view control unit  36 , without using the comparison result obtained by the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  between the current angle of view and the recommended angle of view, on the basis of an operation signal supplied from the operation input unit  35  according to a user operation. 
     Alternatively, for example, the recording control unit  37  may cut out only an image inside the frame  101  shown in  FIG. 10  and record the cut-out image onto the recording unit  38 . 
     In the foregoing description, furthermore, it is assumed that the server  12  can find, with certainty, recommended-composition information corresponding to the current position of the photographing apparatus  11 . However, for example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a composition indicated by a line segment r 6 ′ does not face the front of the photographing apparatus  11  positioned at the plot P. That is, recommended-composition information corresponding to the current position of the photographing apparatus  11  may not necessarily be found. In this case, the search unit  62  of the server  12  may search for position information corresponding to a position that is nearest to the current position of the photographing apparatus  11 , and may send the resulting position information to the photographing apparatus  11  through the communication unit  61 . In  FIG. 11 , the position corresponding to the position information to be searched for is represented by a plot P′, and a recommended angle of view and a recommended direction corresponding to the position information are represented by an isosceles triangle (broken line) indicated by the encircled “ 3 ”. At this time, in the photographing apparatus  11 , based on the position information sent from the server  12 , a representation indicating the position of the photographing apparatus  11  (such as latitude and longitude or map information) and a message for prompting the user to move the photographing apparatus  11  are displayed on the display unit  34 . 
     Therefore, even when a user is at a position far from a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like, the photographic point can be presented to the user. 
     While the configuration in which a recommended composition corresponding to the current position of the photographing apparatus  11  is displayed has been described, the name of an object included in the recommended composition may also be displayed in this composition. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  shows an example configuration of a photographing apparatus  111  configured such that in a recommended composition, the name of an object included in this composition can be displayed. In the photographing apparatus  111  shown in  FIG. 12 , elements having functions similar to those in the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  are assigned the same names and the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. 
     The photographing apparatus  111  shown in  FIG. 12  is different from the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  in that a recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131 , a direction comparing unit  132 , and a display control unit  133  are provided in place of the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , the direction comparing unit  45 , and the display control unit  33 , respectively. 
     In the present embodiment, recommended-composition information includes, as well as the recommended-angle-of-view information and recommended direction information described above, name information indicating the name of an object (a famous landscape or building) included in the recommended composition. 
     The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131  has basically the same function as the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43  shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131  supplies the name information included in the obtained recommended-composition information to the direction comparing unit  132 . 
     The direction comparing unit  132  has basically the same function as the direction comparing unit  45  shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the direction comparing unit  132  includes a name information storage unit  132   a . The name information storage unit  132   a  stores the name information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131 . When the current direction supplied from the direction detection unit  41  is close to a recommended direction indicated by the recommended direction information, the direction comparing unit  132  supplies the name information in the name information storage unit  132   a  to the display control unit  133  together with the recommended direction information. 
     The display control unit  133  has basically the same function as the display control unit  33  shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, when (a portion of) an object included in the recommended composition appears on a current composition image, the display control unit  133  controls the display unit  34  so as to display the name of the object included in the recommended composition on the current composition image on the basis of the recommended direction information and the name information supplied from the direction comparing unit  132 . 
     Next, a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus  111  shown in  FIG. 12  will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 13 . The processing of steps S 111  to S 115  and S 131  to S 133  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 13  is similar to the processing of steps S 11  to S 15  and S 31  to S 33  described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , and descriptions thereof are thus omitted. 
     Note that in step S 113 , the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131  of the photographing apparatus  111  supplies recommended-angle-of-view information included in recommended-composition information obtained from the server  12  to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and supplies recommended direction information to the direction comparing unit  132 . The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  131  also supplies name information to the direction comparing unit  132 . 
     In step S 116 , the direction comparing unit  132  compares the current direction supplied from the direction detection unit  131  with a recommended direction indicated by the recommended direction information supplied from the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and supplies a comparison result to the display control unit  133 . When the current direction supplied from the direction detection unit  41  is close to the recommended direction indicated by the recommended direction information (for example, when the amount of rotation described with reference to  FIG. 7  is smaller than a predetermined value), the direction comparing unit  132  supplies the name information stored in the name information storage unit  132   a  to the display control unit  133  together with the recommended direction information. 
     In step S 117 , the display control unit  133  causes the display unit  34  to display a current composition image and a direction-change instruction image on the basis of the comparison result supplied from the direction comparing unit  132  so that the amount of rotation from the x 1 y 1 z 1  coordinates to the x 2 y 2 z 2  coordinates ( FIG. 7 ) can be reduced. 
     Further, when the recommended direction information and the name information are supplied from the direction comparing unit  132 , in step S 118 , the display control unit  133  controls the display unit  34  on the basis of the recommended direction information and the name information so that, for example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the name of an object included in the recommended composition is displayed at a position corresponding to the object in the recommended direction on the current composition image. 
     Specifically, on the display unit  34  shown in  FIG. 14 , the name of a mountain as an object, “Mt. xxx”, and the name of a lake as an object, “Lake yyy”, are displayed in addition to the recommended composition described with reference to  FIG. 9 . In the example shown in  FIG. 14 , the names of objects are displayed. The name of a place may also be displayed. 
     According to the foregoing process, the name of an object can be displayed on the basis of name information included in recommended-composition information. Thus, a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to a user in a more intelligible manner with a small amount of data. Furthermore, the user can perform photographing while recognizing the object. 
     In the foregoing description, only the name of an object within a recommended composition is displayed. Alternatively, the names of all objects within a current composition may be displayed on the basis of position information regarding a current position and a current direction. 
     In the foregoing configuration, a user issues a photographing instruction after a recommended composition is displayed, thereby recording an image having a desired composition. Alternatively, when a recommended composition is displayed, an image having this composition can be automatically photographed (recorded). 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 15  shows an example configuration of a photographing apparatus  211  configured such that when a recommended composition is displayed, an image having this composition can be automatically photographed (recorded). In the photographing apparatus  211  shown in  FIG. 15 , elements having functions similar to those in the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  are assigned the same names and the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. 
     The photographing apparatus  211  shown in  FIG. 15  is different from the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  in that a composition determining unit  231  is further provided and a recording control unit  232  is provided in place of the recording control unit  37 . 
     The composition determining unit  231  determines whether or not the current composition has become the recommended composition on the basis of the comparison result obtained from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  between the current angle of view and the recommended angle of view and the comparison result obtained from the direction comparing unit  45  between the current direction and the recommended direction. If it is determined that the current composition has become the recommended composition, the composition determining unit  231  supplies an instruction signal for instructing recording of image data supplied from the image processing unit  32  to the recording control unit  232 . 
     The recording control unit  232  controls the recording of the image data supplied from the image processing unit  32  onto the recording unit  38  on the basis of the instruction signal from the composition determining unit  231 . 
     Next, a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus  211  shown in  FIG. 15  will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 16 . The processing of steps S 211  to S 217  and S 231  to S 233  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 16  is similar to the processing of steps S 11  to S 17  and S 31  to S 33  described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , and descriptions thereof are thus omitted. 
     In step S 218 , the composition determining unit  231  determines whether or not the current composition has become the recommended composition on the basis of the comparison result obtained from the angle-of-view comparing unit  44  between the current angle of view and the recommended angle of view and the comparison result obtained from the direction comparing unit  45  between the current direction and the recommended direction. Specifically, the composition determining unit  231  determines whether or not the difference between the current angle of view and the recommended angle of view is zero and whether or not an amount of rotation between coordinates, which is the comparison result between the current direction and the recommended direction, is zero. 
     If it is determined in step S 218  that the current composition has not become the recommended composition, the process returns to step S 214 , and the processing of steps S 214  to S 218  is repeated until the current composition has become the recommended composition. 
     If it is determined in step S 218  that the current composition has become the recommended composition, the composition determining unit  231  supplies an instruction signal for instructing recording of image data supplied from the image processing unit  32  to the recording control unit  232 . Then, the process proceeds to step S 219 . 
     In step S 219 , the recording control unit  232  controls the recording of the image data supplied from the image processing unit  32  onto the recording unit  38  on the basis of the instruction signal from the composition determining unit  231 . 
     According to the foregoing process, it is determined whether the current composition is a recommended composition, and when this composition is a recommended composition, an image having this composition is automatically photographed (recorded). This ensures that photographing at a photographic point can be performed. 
     In the foregoing description, a photographing apparatus obtains recommended-composition information from an external server via a network. If the memory capacity of the photographing apparatus is sufficient, the recommended-composition information may be stored in the photographing apparatus so that the recommended-composition information can be obtained therefrom. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 17  shows an example configuration of a photographing apparatus  311  configured such that recommended-composition information can be stored in the photographing apparatus  311  so that the recommended-composition information can be obtained therefrom. In the photographing apparatus  311  shown in  FIG. 17 , elements having functions similar to those in the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  are assigned the same names and the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. 
     The photographing apparatus  311  shown in  FIG. 17  is different from the photographing apparatus  11  shown in  FIG. 2  in the following points: The communication unit  42  is removed, a recommended-composition information obtaining unit  331  is provided in place of the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  43 , and a recommended-composition information DB  332  and a DB management unit  333  are further provided. 
     The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  331  searches the recommended-composition information DB  332  for, based on position information indicating the current position of the photographing apparatus  311 , which is supplied from the position detection unit  39 , recommended-composition information corresponding to the position information, and obtains the found recommended-composition information. The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  331  supplies recommended-angle-of-view information included in the obtained recommended-composition information to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and also supplies recommended direction information included in the recommended-composition information to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     The recommended-composition information DB  332  stores, under management of the DB management unit  333 , position information indicating photographing positions, which has been input from the operation input unit  35 , and recommended-composition information indicating recommended compositions at the photographing positions so that the position information and the recommended-composition information are associated with each other. 
     The DB management unit  333  manages the data stored in the recommended-composition information DB  332  (that is, the position information and the recommended-composition information), and performs processing such as addition, update, or deletion of data in accordance with an instruction from the operation input unit  35 . 
     Next, a recommended-composition presentation process of the photographing apparatus  311  shown in  FIG. 17  will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 18 . The processing of steps S 311  and S 313  to S 316  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 18  is similar to the processing of steps S 11  and S 14  to S 17  described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , and descriptions thereof are thus omitted. 
     In step S 312 , the recommended-composition information obtaining unit  331  searches the recommended-composition information DB  332  for, based on position information indicating the current position of the photographing apparatus  311 , which is supplied from the position detection unit  39 , recommended-composition information corresponding to the position information, and obtains the found recommended-composition information. The recommended-composition information obtaining unit  331  supplies recommended-angle-of-view information included in the obtained recommended-composition information to the angle-of-view comparing unit  44 , and also supplies recommended direction information included in the recommended-composition information to the direction comparing unit  45 . 
     The foregoing process only involves obtaining recommended-composition information corresponding to a current position from an internal memory of a photographing apparatus. Thus, a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to a user with a small amount of data. Furthermore, even in an environment where the photographing apparatus is not allowed to communicate with an external server or the like, a photographic point in a sightseeing spot or the like can be presented to the user. 
     The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a device capable of executing various functions by installing therein various programs, such as a general-purpose computer. 
     The program recording medium storing a program that is installed in a computer and that is executable by the computer may be implemented by, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the removable medium  47  which may be a package medium such as a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (including a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a magneto-optical disk), a semiconductor memory, or the like, a ROM (not shown) temporarily or permanently storing a program, a hard disk that constitutes the recording unit  38 , or the like. The program may be stored in the program recording medium, if necessary, through the communication unit  42  which may be an interface such as a router or a modem via wired or wireless communication medium such as the network  13 , a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting. 
     A program executed by a computer may be a program according to which processes are performed in time sequence in accordance with the order described herein or a program according to which processes are performed in parallel or at a desired time such as at the time of calling. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present application contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2008-229309 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 8, 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.