Kid playing tonight in a music thing

[bribrius]

at a school. Usually fairly dim the ones ive been too. This one has a stage and some basic lighting and the audience is usually fairly dark.
wife usually just leaves the camera in auto. But I thought of suggesting to her she put it on scene mode and the camera will choose what it wants?
But then it occurred to me, it chooses what it wants in auto. So I really don't know if scene is really much different than auto. I know there is a difference, but can anyone explain what is different between scene mode and auto on how the camera adjusts itself?
Also, any other suggestions for the venue for a camera setting would be appreciated, she cant do manual though.

 

[Judobreaker]

The auto-mode is completely auto. The camera will try to determine what kind of scene you are shooting and choose setting accordingly.

The scene mode does more or less the same with a single difference: It already knows what kind of scene you are shooting.
This means that if you put it on sports mode the camera will automatically use higher iso values and shutter speeds than it would in landscape mode.
The scene mode helps the camera a bit in the right direction, so using this over the full auto is probably preferable.

 

[JoeW27 1]

Suggestions for shooting a school performance in dingy, probably CFL or fluorescent lighting.

1. Bring a tripod. Some schools won't allow them, many will.
2. Get there early and get a location where you'll have a clear view of the stage and your kid. That's nearly mission impossible b/c dozens of other parents will be there with their point-and-shots crowding around for pictures.
3. If you know enough about your camera to adjust settings, here's what I'd do:
--jack up the ISO. I don't know what camera you're shooting with. ISO settings will add grain and noise but allow you to shoot in dimmer light.
--set the mode to shutter speed. with the camera on the tripod, you should be able to get away with slower exposures (like 1/25th of a second) which would normally produce some camera shake. For a musical performance (I assume like band or orchestra) there will be minimal movement so a slower exposure will work.
--mount camera on tripod (or if a tripod isn't available then look for something to balance it against to minimize the impact of your breathing...lean against a wall or doorframe, rest it on the seat back in front of you.
--take far more exposures than you think you'll need. With no experience doing this sort of thing, 90% of your shots in low light will be trash (if you're luck--if not than 99-100% will be trash).
--also, recognize that in low light autofocus is often problematic (so you might even want to shoot on manual if you're comfortable doing that) or pre focusing while the house lights are up and then staying with that focal point).
--finally, shooting in low light with long exposures can often be draining on a battery. Make sure your battery is charged.