Imaging control device, imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and imaging control program

An imaging control method comprising:

• a brightness measurement step of acquiring a first captured image signal obtained from an imager imaging a subject through a focus lens, by causing the imager to image the subject, and obtaining brightness of each of divided areas of a focusing target area set in the first captured image signal;
• an imaging condition control step of, based on a set value of brightness determined depending on the brightness of each of divided areas, controlling an imaging condition of the imager to a state where brightness of a lowest divided area which is one of the divided areas having the lowest brightness is set to the set value;
• a transmittance control step of, in an optical element which has variable light transmittance for each of a plurality of areas and is arranged ahead of the imager, decreasing brightness of other divided areas than the lowest divided area by controlling light transmittance of the areas corresponding to the other divided areas;
• and
• a focusing control step of performing focusing control for the focus lens based on the focusing target area of a second captured image signal obtained from the imager by causing the imager to image the subject in a state where the imaging condition is controlled in the imaging condition control step and the light transmittance is controlled in the transmittance control step.

An imaging control program causing a computer to execute:

• a brightness measurement step of acquiring a first captured image signal obtained from an imager imaging a subject through a focus lens, by causing the imager to image the subject, and obtaining brightness of each of divided areas of a focusing target area set in the first captured image signal;
• an imaging condition control step of, based on a set value of brightness determined depending on the brightness of each of divided areas, controlling an imaging condition of the imager to a state where brightness of a lowest divided area which is one of the divided areas having the lowest brightness is set to the set value;
• a transmittance control step of, in an optical element which has variable light transmittance for each of a plurality of areas and is arranged ahead of the imager, decreasing brightness of other divided areas than the lowest divided area by controlling light transmittance of the areas corresponding to the other divided areas;
• and
• a focusing control step of performing focusing control for the focus lens based on the focusing target area of a second captured image signal obtained from the imager by causing the imager to image the subject in a state where the imaging condition is controlled in the imaging condition control step and the light transmittance is controlled in the transmittance control step.