JP2893114B

PURPOSE:To always obtain an image with appropriate color balance by performing white balance control for external light or stroboscopic light emission corresponding to a distance to an object when stroboscopic photography is performed. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 37 compares a diaphragm value FM found out of a photographing distance by a distance detection circuit 25 and the guide number of a guide number data setting circuit 23 with a diaphragm value AE decided with an automatic exposure control means corresponding to the luminance of the external light, and when a compar,ed result is shown as FM>=AE, a stroboscopic light emitting white balance control signal is generated. Also, when the result shows relation other than FM>=AE, it is judged that the object is located at a part far from the arrival distance of stroboscopic light and the stroboscopic light with a light quantity fewer than an appropriate stroboscopic light quantity is projected as the auxiliary light of the external light, and an external light applying white balance control signal is generated. In such a way, it is possible to realize color reproducibility with high fidelity always keeping the appropriate color balance when the stroboscopic light is emitted without being affected by the distance to the object.