Understanding Scn Mode On Your Camera: What You Need To Know

Scene mode (SCN) is a setting available on many cameras that allows the user to select a specific type of scene, such as shooting flowers or moving subjects. Each scene mode changes the camera's internal settings and exposure to achieve the best results for each situation. The way you change these modes differs per camera model; sometimes, it is a physical dial, and other times, it is in the menu. However, they are usually represented by small visual icons that resemble the action the user is trying to shoot.

Switching to AUTO (Smart Auto) Mode

• Press the power button to turn on your camera.
• Set the Mode Dial to <…> .
• Aim the camera at your desired subject. The camera will make a slight clicking noise as it determines the optimal settings for the scene.
• Icons representing the scene will be displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, and frames around detected subjects will indicate that they are in focus.

Using Smart Auto Mode has several benefits. Firstly, it's a great way to get introduced to photography without worrying about manual settings. Secondly, it allows you to focus on the scene and the moment itself, rather than technical details. Additionally, it ensures you don't miss critical shots by freeing you up to take pictures without worrying about settings. Finally, reviewing the EXIF data of photos taken in Auto Mode can help you understand your camera's technical aspects and how different settings impact the final image.

While Auto Mode is a useful tool, it's important to note that you will have more creative control and flexibility in Manual Mode. As you become more comfortable with photography, you may want to experiment with the various priority modes, such as Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority, to gain more control over specific aspects of your images while still having the camera automatically adjust other settings.

Switching to Hybrid Auto Mode

Hybrid Auto Mode is a feature on some Canon cameras, such as the PowerShot SX700 HS and SX60 HS, that allows you to create a short movie of your day by shooting still images. The camera automatically records 2-4 second clips of scenes before each shot, which are later combined into a single digest movie.

To switch to Hybrid Auto Mode, follow these steps:

• Press the Power button to turn on the camera.
• Set the Mode Dial to <>.
• Compose your shot by aiming the camera at the subject. You can use the zoom lever to zoom in or out, depending on your preference.
• Press the shutter button halfway. The camera will beep twice after focusing, and AF frames will indicate the areas in focus.
• Press the shutter button all the way down to capture the shot. The camera will shoot a still image and record a movie clip, which will be combined to form a single chapter in the digest movie.

It is important to note that battery life may be shorter in Hybrid Auto Mode due to the recording of digest movies for each shot. Additionally, sounds and vibrations from camera operation will be recorded in the digest movies.

Shooting in Scene Intelligent Auto Mode

To activate Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, simply turn on your camera and set the mode dial to the corresponding setting, which is usually indicated by an icon or label. Once activated, the camera will automatically detect the scene and subject, making slight noises and displaying icons on the screen to indicate its detection process.

Scene Intelligent Auto Mode is particularly useful when shooting in various conditions and scenes. For example, it enables you to capture beautiful evening scenes or portraits with evening scenery in the background without the need for a tripod. It achieves this by combining consecutive shots to reduce camera shake and image noise, resulting in a clear and sharp image.

Additionally, this mode enhances your photography experience by offering unique image effects and special functions. You can capture stunning shots of people with a softening effect, majestic landscapes with a sense of depth, and close-ups of flowers or small objects, making them appear larger in the frame. The mode also allows for shooting moving subjects, where the camera keeps the subject in focus even when using continuous shooting.

Overall, Shooting in Scene Intelligent Auto Mode simplifies the photography process by automatically adjusting camera settings to suit the specific scene and subject, ensuring you capture the best shots in various conditions.

Shooting in Monochrome

SCN mode, or Scene Selection mode, allows you to shoot with preset settings according to the scene. This mode is useful when shooting a variety of scenes, from moving subjects to night scenes. One of the shooting modes available in SCN mode is Monochrome.

Monochrome photography is an artistic type of photography that uses tones of a single colour to colourise a photograph. It is a way to make your images appear more dramatic and emotive, and it allows viewers to focus on the composition of the image without the distraction of colour.

When shooting in monochrome, it is important to pay attention to the tonal contrast of the image. Look for contrasting tones, highlights (near whites) and lowlights (near blacks), as well as lines, shapes, textures and patterns, to create a compelling image. Using a light source, such as an external flash, can add highlights and shadows to create a wider range of midtones and add depth to your photos.

Take advantage of lines and shapes to guide the viewer's eye across the image. Patterns, textures and angles can also add interest to your monochrome images, as they reveal fine details that are more noticeable without colour.

When framing your shot, consider using the Rule of Thirds to place your subject within the frame. This involves visualising a grid that is divided by two vertical and two horizontal lines and placing your subject or horizon along the lines or intersections to ensure optimum focus.

Shooting with a Fish-Eye Lens Effect

SCN mode on a camera stands for "Scene Mode". This is a mode that allows you to shoot with preset settings according to the scene. Now, here is some detailed information about shooting with a fisheye lens effect:

A fisheye lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens that produces a strong visual distortion, intended to create a wide panoramic or hemispherical image. The term "fisheye" was first coined in 1906 by American physicist and inventor Robert W. Wood, who likened the effect of the lens to the view of a fish underwater.

Fisheye lenses typically have an angle of view of between 100 and 180 degrees, with some lenses covering up to 280 degrees. They are often used for their unique, distorted appearance, and their ability to capture extremely wide angles of view. The lenses use a special type of mapping, or "distortion", which gives images a characteristic convex, non-rectilinear appearance. This is in contrast to rectilinear lenses, which produce images with straight lines of perspective.

There are two main types of fisheye lenses: circular and full-frame. A circular fisheye lens captures the entire 180-degree field of view and projects it as a circle within the film frame, resulting in a small-world effect. A full-frame fisheye also has a 180-degree field of view, but the image it projects onto the camera sensor is larger, filling the entire frame.

Fisheye lenses can be used in a variety of creative ways, from landscape and travel photography to portrait and extreme sports photography. They can add a dynamic and abstract quality to images, making even mundane scenes more fascinating. When shooting with a fisheye lens, it's important to note that distortions will be more prominent at the edges of the frame, and the effect will be enhanced when getting closer to the subject. Placing the horizon near the centre of the frame will help to make it appear flatter, while tilting the lens up or down will create a concave or convex effect, respectively.

Some popular fisheye lenses include the Canon EF 8-15mm ƒ/4L, the Nikon Nikkor 8-15mm ƒ/3.5-4.5, and the Olympus M.Zukio Digital 8mm ƒ/1.8 Pro. These lenses offer a range of features, such as automatic and manual focus, weather sealing, and built-in hoods to reduce glare.

In conclusion, shooting with a fisheye lens can be a creative and fun way to add unique distortions and a dynamic feel to your images. By understanding the characteristics of this lens type and experimenting with different compositions, you can capture truly striking photographs.

Frequently asked questions