Revision [2172]
This is an old revision of PhotoBoothSetup2016 made by ZorrUno on 2016-02-19 13:30:34.
SLR Photo Booth
There are plenty of ways to set up a photo booth for an event, and this is how I did it.
Photobooth Goals
- Must be completely ‘self service’ and minimal to no user interaction.- Must have minimal maintenance for all items whilst running, and long running time before any 're-stocking' is needed
- Must have auto 'startup', and a simple reset if something went wrong
- Must be cheap... and use existing stuff I had around.
- Must be lightweight and easy to transport
- Must have a simple, repeatable setup.
- Must have robust user interaction (i.e. drunk people can operate without breaking it)
- Must have a decent photo preview so people can see their pose (prefer large mirrored screen)
- Must 'auto-print' photos, and to a customised template with multiple photo layout of my design
- Must print to 6x4 photo paper
- Preferably… easy reuse, I'd rather be able to store it in a box so someone can use in future.
- Preferably... Auto upload to a central website... live for people to see as templates are created.
Hardware
- SLR Camera Nikon 3200 SLR- Camera Lens, I just used the one that came with the twin lens kit which is an 18-55 Zoom
- If Battery powered, need at least 2 batteries so battery can be charged/rotated throughout the event OR better still Camera AC Adaptor Nikon EH-5a http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product-archive/power-adapters/eh-5a-ac-adapter.html plus a EP-5A adaptor or equivalent for your camera.
- SD Card of some sort for camera
- Photo or inkjet Printer. I used a Brother MFC-J5720DW
- A stack of quality Photo Paper (102x152mm/4x6inch)
- A camera Tripod eg My oone
- Android TV device with a few USB ports, decent spec processor and video out, I used a Videostrong K1 Plus
- A USB Keyboard you don't mind ripping apart
- Some sort of treddle footswitch. I used one that looks like this, but you could dispense with the keyboard operation and just use a purpose made one such as the Stealth Switch
- Monitor or TV with HDMI input, or a DVI to HDMI cable. I used a 19" Dell LCD monitor with stand
- Laptop has no bluetooth or touchscreen to make it start, so plan is to use a mouse (with x/y prevented... click only). I may even hack together a footswitch....
- pocket wifi for internet (permanently powered)
- possibly another external monitor... not sure if I want to bother yet
Printer is wifi ... it will work USB connected to laptop, but seems to be more consistent with wifi. Wifi is needed for photo upload anyway.
I get the occasional glitch, but once running continuously it appears to work well. A reboot from scratch seems to bring it up consistently if ever needed (eg if left idle for too long)
Other maintenance
- check camera battery plugged in
- Check printer paper and reload (has about 100 in the hopper, so should be good for 2-3 reloads overall). Fix any jams... haven't had one so far though.
- Maybe change flash batteries, but hopefully not
Oh and FYI I got the crappy android laptop for free. Thanks Aliexpress.