IMAGE RETRIEVAL METHOD AND DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily acquire a proper input image and to perform the image retrieval with high accuracy by referring to the composition designation information on the retrieval object image that is previously set when this object image is fetched. SOLUTION: When a camera part 1 fetches an image through the operation of an operator, the general information showing an appropriate composition stored in a composition designation part 30 is displayed as necessary. The part 30 also stores the information showing the most approximate composition that is different from the above general information in each type, and the composition showing information includes the character information and a template showing a rough external shape of the composition which are selectively shown at a display part 14 in response to the instruction of the user. The template is photographed at the camera part 1 and shown on the image that is displayed at the part 14. Thus, the user photographs the template via the part 1 so as to secure the higher coincidence between the template shape and an object and accordingly can easily secure an optimum photographing composition.