JP2000307931A - Imaging method and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an imaging method and an imaging device capable of adjusting a focus only by determining a composition at the time of imaging. SOLUTION: A composition 81 (86) and a focus position 82 (87) registered in a composition storage area in advance are selected and superimposed and displayed on a subject image (through image) captured by a digital camera. Imaging is performed after performing focus control so that (87) is in focus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auxiliary photographing technique for an electronic image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital camera having a liquid crystal screen (liquid crystal finder), a focus area (for example, a rectangular transparent area in the center) is displayed on the screen when focusing is performed, and the focus is adjusted there. (Focus).

Further, the composition data (composition pattern) which has been patterned is held in advance, and as shown in FIG. 9, the composition data is superimposed and displayed on a through screen at the time of photographing.
In some cases, shooting according to 1 is performed. In some cases, a focus position can be selected and designated by designating a desired position in a through image.

[0004]

However, a digital camera of the type in which a composition pattern is superimposed and displayed on a through-the-lens image can perform shooting in accordance with a desired composition pattern, but the focus area is usually fixed at the center. Therefore, when the composition pattern 91 as shown in FIG. 9 is used, since the focus is adjusted to the central focus area 92, there is a problem that an image is out of focus on the subject (out of focus). In order to prevent shooting, it is necessary to perform a focus lock operation by moving the camera, which makes the operation complicated.

In a digital camera of a system in which an arbitrary position is designated and selected as a focus position, it is necessary for a user to determine and designate a position considered appropriate as a focus position in a subject image displayed in a through image. Yes,
In addition to the complicated operation of designating the focus position, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine the composition and it is difficult to grasp a photo opportunity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide an imaging method and an imaging apparatus which can easily focus on a subject only by deciding a composition at the time of shooting.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention captures a subject image,
In an imaging apparatus for storing and recording the image, a pre-stored composition for imaging and a focus position determined for the composition are displayed so as to be superimposed on a captured subject image, and focus control on the image at the focus position is performed. Is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus for capturing a subject image and storing and recording the image, a composition storing means for storing an imaging composition and a focus position defined for the composition. Display control means for displaying the subject image obtained from the composition storage means and superimposing the composition extracted from the composition storage means on the image, and performing focus control on the image at a focus position extracted from the composition storage means. Focusing control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a composition selecting means for selecting a desired composition from the plurality of imaging compositions, and the composition storing means comprising a plurality of imaging compositions and each composition. At least one focus position determined for each is stored in advance, and the display control means displays the composition selected by the composition selection means so as to be superimposed on the image.

According to a fourth aspect, in the imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, when the composition selected by the composition selection means has a plurality of focus positions, the imaging apparatus further includes a focus position selection means for selecting one focus position. The focus control means performs focus control on the image at one focus position selected by the focus position selection means.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Circuit Configuration Example] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which a photographing method according to the present invention is applied.
1, signal conversion unit 12, signal processing unit 13, working memory (DRAM) 14, composition storing ROM 15, control unit 2.
0, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, and a storage and recording memory (flash memory) 50.

The optical system 11 includes an imaging lens 111, a distance measuring sensor unit 112, and a lens driving unit 113. The optical system 11 transfers the light flux of the subject image condensed through the imaging lens 111 to an image pickup device (CCD) at a subsequent stage. Make an image. Further, the distance measurement data detected by the distance measurement sensor unit 112 is output to the control unit 20, and a lens drive control signal is generated. In addition, the lens driving unit 113 moves the photographing lens 111 back and forth by the lens driving control signal from the control unit 20 to focus. Further, the distance measurement sensor unit 112 is configured to be able to change a position (aim) to be a focus on the subject by a focus control signal from the control unit 20.

The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, a signal conversion circuit and the like (not shown), converts a subject image formed on the CCD via the optical system 11 at the preceding stage into digital data, and outputs the digital data at a predetermined cycle. I do. Further, the signal processing unit 13 processes the output from the signal conversion unit 12, obtains signal components such as digital luminance and color difference multiplexer signals (Y, Cb, Cr data), and obtains Y, Cb, Cr data ( Hereinafter, image data) is transferred to the DRAM 14. Also, in order to display a through image, the display unit 4 thins out the captured image data.
Send to 0.

The DRAM 14 is used as a working memory, and includes an image buffer and a JPE for temporarily storing captured images.
Used as a work area or the like at the time of G compression / expansion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the composition storing ROM 15 is composed of a set (composition record) of an index key, composition data (compressed image data or pattern data) and focus position data, and a composition selection as shown in FIG. This is a ROM in which screen data (composition selection screen data) is stored in advance. The composition and composition selection screen data are stored in the ROM 15.
May be stored in the flash memory 50 instead.

The control unit 20 has a microprocessor configuration having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM for storing programs, a timer, and the like. The CPU connects to the above-described circuits and a power switch (not shown) via a bus line. The digital camera 100 is controlled by the control program stored in the program storage ROM and connected to each mode stored in the program storage ROM in response to a status signal from the operation unit 30. The processing program and the photographing processing program are taken out, and the execution control of each function of the digital camera 100, for example, the execution of the imaging function and the reproduction function of the recorded image are performed, and the imaging function using the composition in the imaging mode is selected. In such a case, display of composition and execution control such as focus control are performed by the imaging method of the present invention.

The operation unit 30 includes a processing mode switch,
Function selection button, shutter button 35, scroll (↓ ↑) key 36 and cursor movement key (+/- key)
Keys and switches such as 37 are included as components, and when these keys or switches are operated, a status signal is sent to the control unit 20. When the shutter button 35 is operated, a state signal is sent to the control unit 20 and the control unit 20
In this case, it is usually determined as an imaging instruction signal, and the process shifts to imaging processing. However, when the shutter button 35 is operated when the composition selection screen (FIG. 4) is displayed in the imaging mode, it is determined as a selection instruction signal.

The display unit 40 is a video encoder, a VRAM
And a liquid crystal screen (LCD), etc., and through display control of the control unit 20, a through image at the time of imaging and a reproduced image at the time of reproduction, a menu (or icon) for selection of a process and a message for operation instruction. And so on.

The flash memory 50 stores and records the captured image (compressed image data) together with the image information of the image. Note that a memory card that is detachable from the main body of the digital camera 100 may be used instead of the flash memory 50 as the storage recording memory.

[Example of Area Configuration of DRAM] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the area configuration of the DRAM 14 when photographing using composition. Normally, the DRAM 14 is provided with a through image buffer 141 for storing a captured image in the imaging mode. However, when the user selects a photographing function using composition in the imaging mode, the composition buffer as shown in FIG. 142 is secured. The composition image buffer 142 stores the composition extracted and expanded from the composition storage ROM 15 by the user's selection. Reference numeral 143 indicates a work area.

[Structure Example of Composition Storage Area] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a structure example of a composition storage ROM. In FIG. 3A, a composition storage area 60 has an index code area 61 for storing an index code of a composition record, and a composition. , 2-1... As data (compressed data of the composition) and focus positions (coordinate values) x11, y11 on the liquid crystal screen. x12, y12, ...
.. are composed of a plurality of composition records having a focus position area 63 for storing x21, y21,.

The composition stored in the composition storage area 60 is classified according to the type of the subject and stored in a composition record. The composition storage area 60 includes, for example, a composition selection screen as shown in FIG. When a desired composition (menu) is selected in, a code (index code) associated with the composition (menu) is sent to the control unit 20, and
The control unit 20 is configured to be able to search for a composition record in the area using the received index code as a key.
FIG. 5A shows an example of composition 1-1 in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B shows an example of composition 2-1.

FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of an example of the structure of the composition storing ROM 15 in which a plurality of focus positions can be registered by composition. The composition storing area 60 'includes an index code area 61, a composition data area 62 and It has a focus position area 63 'in which a plurality of focus positions can be stored. In the example of (b), the focus position area 6 of the composition 1-1
3 ′ has three focus positions x11, y11, x′1
1, y'11, x "11, y" 11 are stored,
Two focus positions x21, y21, x'21, y'21 are stored in the focus position area 63 'of the composition 2-1.

[Example of Composition Selection Screen] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the composition selection screen. The composition selection screen 70 includes a type column 71 roughly classifying the types of subjects and a composition selection menu column 72. According to the operation guide 75, the user moves the cursor using the cursor movement keys 37 to specify a desired composition, and presses the shutter button 35 to output the coordinate values of the position where the specified composition name is displayed. Is converted to an index code, and the composition storage area 60
Composition data and a focus position based on the index code are extracted from (60 '), and a composition as shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 6) is displayed.

In FIG. 4, the order of the type column 71 is associated with the first digit of the index code (FIG. 3), and the order of the composition selection menu column 72 is associated with the second digit of the index code. . For example, the position of the type {person} in the type column 71 is "1" in the first digit of the index code, and the position of the menu [two men and women] in the composition selection menu column 72 is "1" in the second digit of the index code. Means Therefore, when the user selects “two men and women”, the index code becomes [11], and the control unit 20 sets the composition data 1-1 and the focus position x1, the focus position x1, of the index code [11] from the composition storage area 60 (ROM 15).
y1 (in the example of FIG. 3B, three focus positions x1
1, y11, x'11, y'11, x "11, y" 1
Take out 1).

Similarly, when [female / female] is selected, the composition data of index code "13" and the focus position x1
3, y13 can be taken out. Also, [passenger car]
Is selected, the composition data of the index code "21" and the focus positions x21, y21 (in the example of FIG. 3B, two focus positions x21, y21, x'21, y'2
1,) can be taken out.

For example, when the user first designates {person}, it means that the entire composition in which the first digit of the index code is “1” is selected. Is first discriminatively displayed, so that the user operates the cursor movement key 37 to select a composition as described later. Similarly, when {vehicle} is designated, the entire composition in which the first digit of the index code is "2" is selected (the same applies hereinafter). In the composition selection screen 70, the type of the subject is a person and a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a composition suitable for imaging a subject to be captured, such as a landscape or a still life, is a composition storage area 60 ( 6
If it is registered in 0 ′), it can be configured to be displayed as a menu.

[Composition Example (1)] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a composition.
0 (FIG. 3A) is a display example. In FIG. 5, (a) shows [man and woman 2] on the composition selection screen 70 of FIG.
10 is a composition example displayed on the display unit 40 when “person” is selected, and shows a composition 81 of men and women and a focus position 82. FIG. 4B is a composition example displayed on the display unit 40 when [passenger car] is selected in FIG.
And the focus position 87 (the bright point indicated by the + mark).

The composition data of "two men and women" corresponding to the index code 11 in FIG.
Although only composition 1-1 data shown in Fig.
Many compositions such as front, sideways, diagonal, front and rear, and rearward are conceivable in the composition of a person, and these are registered as a group of composition 1-1 (the index code may be subdivided and registered). When [2] is selected, only the first composition (for example, the front) is displayed, and the user presses the scroll key 3
The desired composition of [two men and women] may be designated by operating and displaying the composition one after another. The same applies to data after composition 1-2 data.

When a subject type (for example, {person}) is selected on the composition selection screen 70, only the first composition data registered in the composition storage area 60 (60 ') is displayed, and the scroll key 36 is displayed. Then, the desired composition can be designated by sequentially switching and displaying the compositions within the type. Note that the focus position display need not be performed.

[Composition Example (2)] FIG. 6 is a view showing a composition display example. A composition storage area 60 'having a structure in which the digital camera 100 can register a plurality of focus positions for one composition data. It is a display example in the case of having (FIG. 3B). In FIG. 6, FIG.
This is an example of a composition displayed on the display unit 40 when “Person” is selected, in which a composition 81 for men and women and focus candidate positions 82, 83,
84 is shown. (A ′) is a display example when the user operates the cursor movement key 37 to specify a focus position. In this example, the focus position 84 is selected. When a plurality of focus positions are registered, a plurality of focus positions are initially displayed. However, when the cursor movement key 37 is operated, the focus position display temporarily disappears, and
Each time the cursor movement key 37 is operated, the cursor cyclically moves between the focus positions (82, 83, 84), and the focus position at the point where the cursor stops is indicated by a bright point with a + mark (or a rectangular or circle mark). Is displayed).

FIG. 4B is an example of a composition displayed on the display section 40 when [passenger car] is selected in FIG. 4, and shows a composition 86 of the car and cursor positions 87 and 88. (B ′) is a display example when the user operates the cursor movement key 37 to specify a focus position. In this example, the focus position 87 is selected.

[Example of Imaging Operation Using Composition] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera 100 when imaging is performed using composition in the imaging mode.

Step S1: (Determining whether or not the imaging function using composition is specified) In the imaging mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the imaging function using composition is selected, and the imaging function using composition is selected. If so, the process proceeds to S2; otherwise, the process proceeds to another imaging process. The determination as to whether or not the imaging function is selected using the composition may be made, for example, by assigning the function selection button of the display unit 40 as the imaging function selection button using the composition, or by displaying the image on the screen. An imaging function selection menu using a composition is displayed on an imaging processing selection screen (not shown) to be designated by operating the cursor movement key 37 or the like, and the operation result is determined by the control unit 20 determining the operation result. be able to.

Step S2: (Composition selection screen display) The control unit 20 extracts the composition selection screen data from the ROM 15 and sends it to the display unit 40 to display the composition selection screen (70) as shown in FIG. 4 on the liquid crystal screen. Prompts the user to select a composition menu.

Step S3: (Composition Selection Judgment) The user operates the cursor movement key 37 to designate a desired composition menu. When the composition menu has been designated, a selection operation (depression of the shutter button 35) is performed. When a selection operation is performed, coordinate values corresponding to the selected composition menu are sent to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30 and checks the shutter button 3
When 5 is depressed, it is determined that a composition selection instruction has been issued, and the process proceeds to step S4.

Step S4: (Retrieval of Composition Data and Focus Position Data) Next, the control unit 20 continuously retrieves coordinate values from the received signal, converts them into a composition index code, and stores the coordinate value in the ROM 15 using the index code. The stored composition storage area 60 is searched to retrieve the composition data and the focus position data corresponding to the selection menu.

Step S5: (storage of composition data and focus position data) The control unit 20 expands the composition data extracted from the ROM 15 in step S4 to compose (image or figure).
Is reproduced and stored in the composition buffer 142 of the DRAM 14. The focus position data is stored in the RAM of the control unit 20.
(Work area 14 of DRAM 14)
3 may be held).

Step S 6: (Capture of Image) A subject image (image data) is captured by the signal processing unit 13 via the optical system 11 and the signal conversion unit 12. The signal processing unit 13 transfers an image for one frame to the DRAM 14 at a predetermined cycle. The DRAM 14 stores (overwrites) the transferred image in the through image buffer 141. When the composition is selected in step S3, the operation in step S6 can be performed in parallel with the operations in steps S4 and S5.

Step S7: (Through image display) The signal processing section 13 thins out the captured image and sends it to the display section 40 to display a through image.

Step S8: (Overlay display of composition and focus position on through image) The control unit 20 sends the composition (composition 81 in the example of FIG. 5A) stored in the composition buffer 142 to the display unit 40. To superimpose on the through image. The RA of the control unit 20
A mark for focus (+ mark 82 in the example of FIG. 5A) is generated based on the focus position data held in M, and is superimposed on the liquid crystal screen.

Step S9: (Positioning of composition and subject) The user compares the composition superimposed on the through-the-lens image with the subject and moves the camera so that the subject fits in the composition, or if the subject is a person, Instruct the position and pose to match the composition. In the case of a person, the camera angle is corrected so that the face comes to the focus position.

Step S10: (Focus control) The control unit 20 generates an aim control signal for adjusting the aim of the distance measuring sensor unit 112 to the focus position based on the focus position data held in the RAM, and generates the distance measuring sensor unit. 112
After controlling the aiming of the distance measuring sensor, a lens driving control signal is generated based on the distance measurement data detected by the distance measuring sensor, and transmitted to the lens driving unit 113. The lens driving unit 113 moves the photographing lens 111 back and forth based on the lens driving control signal from the control unit 20, and focuses on the displayed focus position.

Step S11: (Imaging) In step S9, the composition and the subject have been aligned, and when in focus, the user operates the shutter 35 at a predetermined timing to perform imaging. The control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30, determines whether or not the shutter button 35 has been pressed, and transitions to S12 if it has been pressed.
If the shutter button 35 is not operated within a predetermined time after focusing, the flow shifts to S6.

Step S12: (Storing and Recording Process of Captured Image) When the shutter button 35 is pressed, the control unit 20
The image stored in the through image buffer 141 of the AM 14 is subjected to compression processing, and the compressed image (compressed data) is stored and recorded in the flash memory 50.

In the above flow chart, the operation of superimposing the composition and the focus position on the through-the-lens image is performed in step S8. However, as the operation following step S5, the composition and the focus position data are sent to the display unit 40 for display. The through image may be superimposed on the composition (and the focus position) in step S7.

In the above flowchart, step S
Although the image capturing operation is performed in step S6 and the through image is displayed in step S7, the image capturing operation and the through image display operation may be performed before step S1.

In the above description of the flowchart, in the focusing control operation of step S10, the control unit 20 determines the distance measurement sensor unit 112 based on the focus position data held in the RAM.
Aiming control signal for adjusting the aiming to the focus position, controlling the aiming of the distance measurement sensor, and then sending out a lens drive signal based on the distance measurement data detected by the distance measurement sensor to specify the designated focus position Was focused on
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, an AF signal (contrast / autofocus signal (luminance signal of a predetermined band)) separated by the signal processing unit 13 while moving the imaging lens 111
The focus at the designated focus position may be adjusted by monitoring the contrast at the designated designated focus position (and the vicinity thereof).

With the above configuration, the composition can be superimposed and displayed on the through-the-lens image, and the focus can be controlled so that the focus is adjusted to the focus position appropriate for the displayed composition. This makes it easy to shoot images with excellent composition.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera 100 at the time of photographing using a composition having a plurality of focus positions. In step S7
The operations up to this point are the same as those in FIG. 7 (however, in step S4, the composition and focus position are taken out of the composition storage area 60 'of the ROM 15). Hereinafter, the operation after step S7 will be described.

Step S8'-1: (Overlay display of composition and focus position on through image) The control unit 20 stores the composition stored in the composition buffer 142 on the display unit 40 (composition 81 in the example of FIG. 6A). ) To be superimposed on the through image.

Step S8'-2: (Determination of Number of Focus Positions) The control unit 20 checks the number of focus position data (coordinates) held in the RAM, and if there are a plurality of focus position data (coordinates),
The state transitions to 8'-3, and if there is one, the state transitions to S9 (composition of the composition and subject by the user).

Step S8'-3: (Display of All Focus Positions) The controller 20 superimposes the composition (FIG. 6A,
(B) All the focus positions in the middle are displayed.

Step S8'-4: (Determination of Cursor Position Designation Operation) The user presses the cursor movement key (+/- key) 37 in order to focus on a desired position among the displayed focus positions. Operate to specify the cursor position. The control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30 to determine whether or not the cursor movement key has been operated. If the cursor movement key 37 has been operated, the process transits to S8'-5 and a predetermined time has elapsed. If the cursor movement key 37 is not depressed, the process proceeds to S9.

Step S8'-5: (Display of designated cursor position) The control unit 20 further checks the status signal from the operation unit 30,
It is determined in which direction the cursor movement key has been operated to the left or right. In the case of cursor movement in the right direction, the first focus position on the right (the position of reference numeral 82 in the example of FIG.
In the example of FIG. 6B, the position of reference numeral 87 is displayed. In the case of moving the cursor to the left, the first focus position on the left side (the position of reference numeral 84 in the example of FIG. 6A, the reference numeral 88 in FIG. 6B).
Is displayed, and the process returns to S8′-4 (this allows the user to visually judge the suitability of the focus position and perform a cursor movement operation when the focus position is not the desired position).

In the above flowchart, step S
8'-3, all the focus positions are displayed. In step S8'-2, the first focus position (for example,
(The leftmost focus position) may be displayed.

According to the above configuration, a composition and a focus candidate position suitable for the composition are registered in advance, a focus position is selected by a simple operation, and focus control is performed so that focus is achieved at the selected focus position. Since it is possible to select a composition at the time of shooting and then designate a focus candidate to be displayed by a simple operation, it is possible to shoot an excellent image with a focused composition.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0059]

As described above, according to the imaging method of the first invention and the imaging apparatus of the second invention, the image is focused at a focus position suitable for the composition superimposed and displayed on the captured image. Since focus control can be performed, an image that is in focus and has excellent composition can be easily taken when the composition is determined.

Further, according to the imaging apparatus of the third invention, a desired composition can be selected from a plurality of recorded imaging compositions together with a focus position determined for the composition. The composition suitable for the camera is selected by a simple operation, and the focus is set at the determined focus position.
An in-focus image can be obtained only by selecting a desired composition from a plurality of photographing compositions, and an image having an excellent composition can be easily photographed. In addition, it is convenient and convenient.

According to the imaging apparatus of the fourth aspect, the focus position most suitable for the subject among the focus positions of the selected composition is selected by a simple operation, and the focus is set at the selected focus position. Since focus control can be performed, an excellent image of a focused composition can be captured simply by designating a desired focus position from among focus position candidates after selecting a composition by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which a photographing method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a region configuration of a DRAM when performing photographing using a composition.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a composition storage area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a composition selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a composition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a composition.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera at the time of shooting using composition.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera at the time of shooting using a composition having a plurality of focus positions.

FIG. 9 is a conventional example of a focus area displayed at the time of shooting using composition.

[Explanation of symbols]

15 Composition storage ROM (composition storage means) 20 Control unit (display control means, focusing control means) 35 Shutter button (composition selection means) 36 Scroll key (composition selection means) 37 Cursor movement key (composition selection means, focus position) Selection means)) 70 Composition selection screen (composition selection means) 81, 86 Composition (composition for imaging) 82, 83, 84, 87, 88 Focus position 100 Digital camera (imaging apparatus)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // G09G 3/20 680

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An imaging apparatus for capturing a subject image and storing and recording the image, wherein a pre-stored composition for imaging and a focus position determined for the composition are displayed so as to be superimposed on the captured subject image. An imaging method, wherein focusing control is performed on an image at the focus position. 2. An imaging apparatus for capturing a subject image and storing and recording the image, a composition storage unit for storing a composition for imaging and a focus position defined for the composition, and displaying the captured subject image, Display control means for displaying a composition taken out of the composition storage means so as to be superimposed on the image, and focus control means for performing focus control on the image at a focus position taken out of the composition storage means. An imaging device characterized in that: 3. A composition selecting means for selecting a desired composition from a plurality of imaging compositions, wherein the composition storing means pre-stores a plurality of imaging compositions and at least one focus position defined for each of the compositions. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the composition selected by the composition selection unit so as to be superimposed on the image. 4. When the composition selected by the composition selection means has a plurality of focus positions, the composition control apparatus further comprises: focus position selection means for selecting one focus position; 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein focus control is performed at one focus position selected by the focus position selection unit.