[Success Story] Open-Air Multi-Event Booth

[SkiTheSlicer]

I volunteer for a church often, and wanted a way to show other volunteers and guests that they were valued; even in a small way. Instead of printing, I added some code to use smugmug.com's API to upload assembled images over WiFi. I also added some tweaks to PiCamera code to include things like adding back in EXIF data.

Hardware:

• Device: Raspberry Pi 3 B+
• Camera Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2
• GPIO: Yes (foot pedal)

Additional equipment

• Foot pedal (GPIO)
• 2x 5000K 500-LED Light Panels
• Backdrop

Software:

• OS: Raspbian Buster (Full) (2019-09-26-raspbian-buster-full.zip)
• Python version: 3.7.3

Modifications:

• Added SmugMug upload feature. It can be seen in my fork.
• Added EXIF tags.
• I changed the Pi Camera resolution to be a 4x6 resolution to match the background image. I felt it looked cleaner.
• I added a preview.sh script to the desktop to help frame the booth backdrop during setup that took image rotation into account. raspistill -t 0 -hf -rot 270 -h 1132 -w 1698
• I wrapped an additional log around startup (start.sh) because I didn't make my smugmug script as an Class due to time. cd ~/Downloads/photobooth/ && ~/Downloads/.venv/bin/python -m photobooth 2>&1 | tee ~/Desktop/smugmug_$(date +"%Y%m%d_%H%M").log

Problems:

• I originally tried to use a Pi Zero and Stretch Lite (and later Stretch Desktop) thinking I could work out "dependency hell". Boy was I wrong. I ditched the Zero for a 3B+ rather quickly, then moved to Desktop, and finally Full. I was also having a lot of trouble with qt displaying the theme. I ended up waiting out Buster compatibility.
• I originally used my Nikon COOLPIX L820. It was listed on gPhoto2 as having some features, but that turned out to be not enough of them. I had to use gphoto2-cffi with it as well. I ended up giving up because it didn't support preview, and using CFFI made it lag considerably.
• I could only get the qt5 themes to show when starting the photobooth from a specific folder. See cd in start.sh above.

Pictures:
Imgur album here: https://imgur.com/a/chXOfze

More Parts Details:
Photobooth

Desc	Item	Price	Notes
Computer	Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (w/ Basic Kit)	$53.99	I ended up using a different case.
Camera	Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2	$24.99	The first one I got was defective. Apparently they short with static easily.
Power	MicroUSB Switch	$12.99	optional
Storage	16 GB MicroSD	$2.99	Each event was only ~100MB
Case	Smarticase with GoPro Mount	$5.32	I originally used the Adafruit camera case and a longer flex cable. Hated it. Unable to adjust focus.
Monitor	Dell 25-inch	~$200.00	Already owned. I wouldn't want anything bigger. VESA 100.
Stand	Audio 2000S AST421Y Monitor Stand	$71.99	Could've gotten the AST420Y, but wanted the VESA 200 for something else.
Mount	UTEBIT 11-inch Articulating Camera Arm	$19.99	Doesn't lock at 90 degrees. Added ziptie.
Jumpers	Adafruit Parts Pal	$19.95	I bought extra parts for other things
Pedal	Momentary Foot Pedal Switch	$1.54	Bought on eBay
Aux adapters	3pc 3.5mm Sterio Female to AV Screw	$2.44	Bought on eBay
Aux cable	10ft Male-to-Male Stereo Aux Cord	$1.09	Bought on eBay
	Total	$417.28	The $200 monitor can be swapped with something cheaper. Some items I wanted extras of for other projects.

Misc (trivial, already owned)

• Surge Strip
• Zipties
• Extension Cord
• Cord Cover

Backdrop (optional)

Desc	Item	Price	Notes
Backdrop	SJOLOON 8x8ft Vinyl Photography Background	$36.99
Stand	Kaezi Photography Studio Backdrop Stand	$60.00	I got this used on OfferUp (buy/sell/trade) with some umbrellas as well. Here's the newer model.
Lighting	Dracast DRSP-500B 10-inch LED Panel	$189.00	I borrowed 2 of these with stands. Set to Daylight around 5000K-5500K. Could definitely get something cheaper that's not temp-adjustable.