Python program to take pictures or movies triggered by motion or time on a RPi with the PiCamera attached. Code also supports the use of a PIR connected to the GPIO pins.
Install picamera and gpiozero (Python 3):
sudo apt install python3-picamera python3-gpiozero -y
Be sure the Raspberry Pi camera module is connected and enabled in raspi-config:
sudo raspi-config
- Go to
5 Interfacing Options - Choose
P1 Camera - Choose
Yes - Choose
Ok - Choose
Finish, and boot your RPi if required
Buy a PIR like the one which can be found at Kiwi.
Connect the pins of the PIR to the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi in the following way:
| PIR | GPIO |
|---|---|
| VCC | 2 |
| OUT | 11 |
| GND | 14 |
Be sure git is installed:
sudo apt install git
Now install this camera program:
git clone https://github.com/Xorfor/Camera.git
This will create a Camera directory with all the software.
Go to Camera folder and pull new version:
cd Camera
git pull
Try this program:
cd Camera
python3 camera.py
The output generated will look like (with logging.INFO):
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 Starting Camera 0.2
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 Modus = TESTIMAGE
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 Checking configuration
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 Folder /mnt/usba/images
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 startTestImage
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 Initializing camera
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera version: V2.x
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.resolution = (1920,1080)
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.rotation = 0
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.vflip = False
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.hflip = False
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camAnnotate = False
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.framerate = 10
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:56 camera.led = False
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 camera.exposure_mode = auto
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 camera.awb_mode = auto
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 camera.shutter_speed = 0
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 camera.iso = 0
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 Camera initialized
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 Making test image
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:58 image = /mnt/usba/images/imgtest_roos.jpg
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:59 Test image ended
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:59 Actions: 1
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:59 Camera turned off
[INFO ] 2020-02-01 21:44:59 Camera ended
Under normal conditions, if our connection drops, everything that was running inside of it is terminated. This may result in a lot of hard work being lost. The application screen allows us to create a session, which you can detach and re-attach as required. While detached, everything will continue to run as normal. If the connection drops, you can simply re-attach to the screen session and continue where you left off.
Unfortunately, Raspbian does not come with screen preinstalled, so run the following command to install it:
sudo apt install screen
Once installed, it can be launched by running the following command:
screen
You will receive a welcome screen. Now you can enter your command, eg:
python3 camera.py
Once detached, you can return back to the screen session by running the following command:
screen -x