DIY Photo Booth help

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

I am looking to create a DIY photo booth for a friend’s grad party. I have some ideas and a fair amount (if not all) of the required hardware and the main software package I would like to use.
I would like some ideas for any aspect of the idea you feel would make it better.

The “Hardware” parts I have:
Windows HTPC for processing
15” LCD for monitor
Nicer webcam for pictures
Printer capable of printing 4X6 sheet stacks
Wireless stuff for remote activation

The “Booth” parts
8’ x 8’ EZ-Up
Side Tarps
Light Wicker “sofa”
Plastic shelving unit for holding hardware
Flood lights

The Software:
Open Photo Booth
http://www.openphotobooth.com/

The software is free and in its infancy stages so I will need to do some creative tinkering if I want to get this working properly. It takes the pictures and drops them in a folder but has no “auto-print” capability so I will need to have a program “watching” that folder and set up to prints new files when they arrive (need help here)

Any cool ideas?

 

[JoeKing]

Some paid options that you can try to "procure"...
http://download.cnet.com/AutoPrint/3000-2088_4-10042170.html
http://www.cgisys.cz/autoprint.htm

Or there are some free online options, but I get the feeling you want it as automated as possible...
http://www.thefattytalks.com/2007/08/18/4-free-webcam-online-photobooth-like-web-applications/

Cool idea btw, I might have to do something like this for my next party.

 

[syee]

How about an acutal digital camera for shots? I was at a wedding recently and they were using a Canon G10 with hacked firmware (CHDK) for PC operation. Might be a better option than using a webcam so you can get some higher quality pics. Maybe pair it up with an UWA lens so you can squeeze more people into the shots?

If you want to check it out, this was the company that set it up. (you can see how their setup looks) It was a pretty pro looking setup. (camera info was pulled off the EXIF info of their pictures)

http://www.cheesephotobooths.com/

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

The printing thing seems like a very simple program to write:
1. file arrives at print server
2. use default printer
3. use default settings
4. wait for another.........

but people want all kinds of money for this, seems I am in the wrong line of work.

I'll put some real work into this and come back with questions.

@ syee - if I was planning on charging them or had more time I might look into a DSLR but this is more like a "friend of the family" thing for fun so it's all coming out of my pocket.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Hey Church...interesting that you posted this.

I just had my 30th birthday party this weekend and one of the things i did was built my own photo booth. It was a fucking blast, worked perfectly and everyone loved it.

Total cost for hardware and software (including building materials and printing) was $250.

here is the program i used: www.partyboothapp.com

PM me if you want any more info.

 

[syee]

@ syee - if I was planning on charging them or had more time I might look into a DSLR but this is more like a "friend of the family" thing for fun so it's all coming out of my pocket.

Good point. I wouldn't want to spend too much out of pocket for what equates to a favour either. The CHDK firmware works for a lot of the Canon P&S cameras if that's something you already have. I figure if you're going to go to the work of setting it up, it would be nice to get some nicer pics out of it. (maybe burn them a CD after it with all the pics on there)

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

I got it all up and running, sorry no pics yet for those who would be interested. I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet and pay $40 for the Party Booth software to seal the deal.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Don't use a webcam, invest in a decent camera.