Scene modes are default settings offered by most hobbyist cameras.
They are very useful to start handling our camera because they provide us with more specific settings than an automatic mode, and at the same time they do not have the complication of a manual mode.
Although we always recommend that you focus on mastering manual mode, it is true that from the start it can be quite a challenge. Understanding the exposure triangle values, how they combine with each other, or what side effects arise from applying each of them can be a bit tricky.
That is why scene modes can be great allies to get started in photography.
WHAT ARE SCENE MODES?
Scene modes are presets that contain a set of specific settings optimized for the most common situations (mainly aperture, shutter speed or white balance, but sometimes even ISO, saturation, etc).
They are usually located on the camera's dial and are indicated by an icon that represents the scene for which those settings are optimized.
Keep in mind that when you use a scene mode, the control you have over the settings is practically nil, it is the same as when you use an automatic mode, only that you customize it for each situation.
Scene modes can be found on DSLR , mirrorless , bridge and even compact cameras . Let's go see them.
The most common scene modes are:
- Portrait
- Landscape
- Children (and pets)
- Sports
- Macro
- Night:
- night landscape
- night portrait
- candle light
- party/anti movement
- beach/snow mode
- Dusk/sunset mode
- gastronomy mode
SCENE MODES ONE BY ONE
After this general presentation of the scene modes, let's take a detailed look at the most common ones:
ONE.PORTRAIT SCENE MODE
It is usually represented by a face or a face with a hat, depending on the camera.
This scene mode seeks to highlight the face or a static object, through a shallow depth of field. Thus, it makes the person portrayed stand out from the background.
As you already know, this is achieved, among other things, by means of a wide diaphragm aperture (low f/value). Here Mario explains perfectly how it works.
Another aspect that this mode will value is prioritizing a low ISO for better image quality and a minimum shutter speed so that the subject does not move.
2.LANDSCAPE SCENE MODE
It is usually represented by mountains, and it is the most recommended mode for photographing urban, natural (daytime) landscapes, or simply scenes where you require a wide focused area.
In landscapes , we use a closed aperture (high f/value) to achieve greater depth of field, a low ISO is also prioritized to gain sharpness in the scene and a high enough speed to freeze possible movement well.
It is also common that in landscape mode the colors are saturated.
Below, you can see the relationship between aperture, light, and depth of field. You can familiarize yourself with these concepts for when you dare to make the leap to manual mode ? :
3. SCENE MODE: CHILDREN AND PETS
The main "danger" of this type of photography is movement, which is why cameras in "child" mode use high speeds to freeze movement.
They also sometimes include adjustments to soften skin tone or increase the saturation of clothing or background.
The children scene mode can be represented by a boy with a cap, or a boy with a dog.
FOUR.SPORTS SCENE MODE
In sports, the scene mode seeks to freeze the movement, so the settings will be oriented to it, looking for a high shutter speed . It is represented by the icon of a running person or similar.
It is also very possible that in this mode your camera is set to shoot in bursts, thus allowing you to capture scenes where the action happens quickly.
If it does not include it, you can select it yourself, since for sports it is the most suitable mode.
To compensate for high speeds, the camera will use wide apertures in this mode (you will get blurred backgrounds), thus allowing more light to enter the sensor.
5. MACRO SCENE MODE
In this mode you can photograph objects from up close (flowers, coins, parts of the face, leaves, insects, etc.).
Although we call it macro mode, the truth is that it would be more of an approximation photograph; without a macro lens (or its corresponding alternatives) you will not be able to achieve the level of magnification corresponding to a macro photograph (1:1).
What the camera offers us with this set of settings is the possibility of getting closer to objects (the maximum is always marked by the minimum focus distance of your lens). To do this, it combines a fast shutter speed and an adequate depth of field to focus as much as possible on the protagonist.
6.NIGHT SCENE MODES
A moon or stars are the ones that indicate that we are facing settings prepared to photograph scenes with low light.
When using them it is always recommended, to obtain better results, that you combine them with the use of a good tripod .
Within the night modes you may find any of the following (or all):
- Night Landscape: Represented with a building and a moon or stars, this mode uses a high ISO and a slow shutter speed to increase light input to the sensor. It is very possible that, if your camera has it, activate the noise reduction to compensate for the use of a high ISO value. You can also take multiple shots to reduce vibrations through rear stacking.
- Night portrait: In the night portrait, you will work with a wide aperture and a minimum speed high enough to try to freeze the subject. In some modes, the integrated flash may be activated automatically, if you prefer to avoid it, you can surely deactivate the default integrated flash on your camera. Be that as it may, the ideal is that the subject moves as little as possible and, obviously, using a tripod will always help you. It is usually represented by a person with a star, a moon or similar.
- Candlelight: Some cameras include this type of indoor night photography. It seeks to neutralize the warm tone of the candles through the white balance. It will also work with the combination of large f-stops and minimal speed so that subjects don't blur at higher ISO settings. Its icon is usually a candle.
- Parties / anti movement: For interiors with low light, a wide aperture and a sufficient speed are prioritized to achieve sufficiently clear images, sometimes from the flash. In some cases, burst shooting is used to combine the images into one, reducing subject blur and image noise. This prevents the use of the built-in flash.
7. SNOW/BEACH SCENE MODE
Sometimes you will find them separately, sometimes together. The symbols are a snowman or a beach, but in both cases the camera will be set to take into account the reflection of the sun on the snow and sand, scenes that "fool" the light meter of the camera into thinking that there is more light than there really is.
Scene mode will slightly overexpose the image to compensate, use narrower apertures, low ISO, fast speeds, and deepen colors.
8.DUSK / SUNSET SCENE MODE
This is an interesting way to achieve impressive sunsets automatically.
In this case, the aim is to maintain and accentuate the warm tones of the sky. They are environments with little light, so the ideal is that you consider it night photography (use a tripod whenever you can).
The camera will work at slow speeds and open apertures to get enough light.
9. GASTRONOMY SCENE MODE
It is usually represented by cutlery and its main objective is to present the food in a way that is pleasing to the eye, prioritizing balanced contrast and color, as well as a wide opening to focus attention on the plate (but also ensuring that everything necessary is in focus).
Take a look at our complete guide to food photography if you feel like digging deeper into the subject ? .
NOTE: If you don't have any of these modes or yours are different, don't panic. Not all cameras have the same scene modes. That is why it is important that you know your camera well, that you tinker with it and discover all its possibilities.
DO ALL CAMERAS HAVE SCENE MODES?
Not all cameras have scene modes. The most advanced and professional cameras do not include these types of adjustments since it is assumed that the photographer who uses them has already passed the level of learning and masters the semi-automatic modes and the manual mode.
Instead, they do include options that you can customize, creating your own scene modes or specific settings.
I CAN'T FIND THE SCENE MODES ON THE DIAL
If your dial does not have scene modes, it could be due to two factors (I just told you about one ? ):
- Your camera does not have these types of presets because it is geared towards a more advanced photographer.
- You must access the scene modes through the menu. In this case, you will see the word “Scene”, “SCN” or “SR+” on the dial. Move the dial to this point and select the scene mode in the camera's own menu.
Keep in mind that each camera is different, ideally you should take a look at your user manual to get to know it in depth.
If you have a Nikon camera, these are the specific scene modesof the brand, if you have a Canon you can take a look at theirs here, a Sony hereand Fujifilm here…
SCENE MODE IN JPEG OR RAW?
The difference between a JPEG and a RAW file is very simple, JPEG makes adjustments to the image directly from the camera, once applied "there is no going back"; they are saved like this. For example, if you are using a monochrome mode in JPEG, your image will be recorded in black and white, you will not be able to recover the color.
On the other hand, if you take your images in RAW, the image will be recorded "raw", that is, the adjustments will not be applied to the image, you will keep the original "negative" to go back whenever you need it.
These files retain much more information and therefore give you higher image quality.
If you decide on the RAW mode, keep in mind that the adjustments will be made later in the editing of your image. If you use LightroomYou will find it under “camera calibration”.
SUMMARIZING
Scene modes are a good resource when you're just starting out in photography, because they allow you to get more accurate results than a generic auto mode. At the same time, they are interesting if you look at them carefully, since it lets you see how the different settings behave for each type of scene.
The next logical step once you've familiarized yourself with concepts like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, is to go for the semi-auto modes, which allow you to be much more creative and achieve results for most situations.
I hope this article encourages you to practice, to get the best out of yourself and your camera, and to want to go further with it.
If you found it useful and interesting, I encourage you to share it on RRSS, surely someone you know will thank you.
