A driver photographing apparatus that photographs images from reflections on the retinas of a driver in a vehicle having disturbance light using signal processing techniques. The apparatus comprises a light source for illuminating the driver with a first light beam along a first optical path, and a sensor that inputs a second light beam, along a second optical path, that includes reflections from the driver and disturbance light, to form an image of the driver. The light source and the sensor are disposed such that the first and second optical paths are along substantially the same axis. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit that eliminates the effect of the disturbance light on the image of the driver, and a detecting circuit that determines the action of the driver based on the driver's image.