Moments for Mac

Moments lets you capture the moment. You can be that moment. Let family, friends, and guests take pictures in the digital PhotoBooth, or studio. Pictures can be played back nearly live locally or remotely.

Requirements

• Mac (well duh)
• Canon Digital SLR connected by USB to the Mac - may work with other brands (not tested)
• Remote picture trigger requires alternative input (USB button input) and use of 3rd party software such as USB Overdrive
• Optional: AppleTV on the same LAN as the Mac for Airplay and use of 2nd remote monitor, with switch or wireless router
• Optional: Dual monitors on the Mac - you can dedicate the 2nd one to picture display
• Optional: USB (iSight compatable) camera so guests can see themselves before taking pictures
• Optional: PreRoll Countdown, Flash, and PostRoll movies - if you wish to change the existing ones
• Optional: Fancy secure box to hold the Mac, Camera, and other accessories to bring this all together in a turn-key solution

OK, so what is really going on here?

Once upon a time there were things called PhotoBooth's in various public locations. You could go into the photobooth, close the curtain, pay your money and the booth would take a series of pictures. Then you'd wait for those pictures to be processed and collect your little strip of 4 or so pictures.

Lets roll this idea forward a few decades... and step up what is possible.

This photo studio is based on the photobooth using the latest of technology to deliver "realtime" photos to the guests. At a wedding you can capture moments that your guests create and have them displayed on a big screen TV, over Airplay, behind the happy couple. The moments are more than just for the event, they can become a precious reminder of that happy occasion when reviewed later.

What do I need to do? Here is a setup scenario. You can vary accordingly to suit your requirements.

1. Small bookcase, can hold all of the critical hardware. MacMini, Digital SLR.

2. The bookcase is custom modified so that the camera is held securely in place by the tripod mount, and a slot to accommodate the flash. As you plan for this setup, consider how to change the batteries in the camera and flash.

3. You'll need a table and monitor so that your guests can see what is going on, and the countdown timers for taking pictures, and the iSite camera picture feed.

4. You will need some form of remote USB input to trigger picture taking (remember this needs to be guest proof). I used one of these - "DIY Handle Arcade Set Kits 24mm/30mm Push Buttons 5 Pin Joystick Replacement Parts USB Cable Encoder Board To PC Joystick&Button". You have to build something to hold the buttons and have the input wired back to the Mac. The application allows you to take a single picture - now, or a series of pictures with a countdown timer that is presented on the screen.

5. You also need some software that can map the USB input to the key commands that trigger pictures. There are at least two options for this:

https://joystickmapper.com/

https://www.usboverdrive.com/

6. With an AppleTV and the Mac setup to Airplay to it as a second screen, you can move the photos window to the second screen, switch it to full screen display and the images will automatically change as per the preference settings. The AppleTV and Mac need to be on the same network, wired or wireless. So you may need a wireless router to get Airplay working. And you'd want to put this into the box holding the MacMini and camera.

Note: While the software is classified as free, it offers in-App Purchases.

Base Features Unlock $39.99