Canon Digital Ixus 55 User Guide

49
ShootingMetering Methods
Switching between Metering Modes
Shooting Mode 
1FUNC. Menu * (Evaluative).
See Menus and Settings (p. 26).*Default setting.
zUse the   or   button to select 
the metering mode and press the 
FUNC./SET button. 
Evaluative
Appropriate for standard shooting conditions, 
including backlit scenes. The camera divides images 
into several zones for metering. It evaluates complex 
lighting conditions, such as the position of the subject, 
the brightness, the direct light, and the...

50
Adjust the exposure compensation setting to avoid making the 
subject too dark when it is backlit or shot against a bright background 
or to avoid making lights appear too bright in night shots.
To Cancel the Exposure Compensation
Restore the compensation value to [0]. 
zExposure compensation is not available in the   or   My 
Colors mode.
z
In   mode, the exposure shift can be set/canceled (p. 43). 
Adjusting the Exposure Compensation
Shooting Mode 
1FUNC. Menu * (Exposure Compensation).
See Menus...

51
Shooting
You can set the shutter speed to a slow setting to make dark 
subjects appear brighter.
To Cancel the Long Shutter Mode
Press the MENU button when the Long Shutter FUNC. menu is 
displayed.
Shooting in Long Shutter Mode
Shooting Mode 
1(Rec.) Menu [Long Shutter] [On].
See Menus and Settings (p. 27).
2FUNC. Menu * (Exposure Compensation)  .
See Menus and Settings (p. 26).*Default setting.
3Use the   or   button to select the shutter 
speed .
zThe higher the value, the brighter 
the image and...

52
zUse the LCD monitor to confirm that the image was 
recorded at the desired brightness.
zPlease note that camera shake becomes a factor at low 
shutter speeds. If the camera shake warning   appears 
on the LCD monitor, secure the camera to a tripod before 
shooting.
zUse of the flash may result in an over-exposed image. If 
this occurs, shoot with the flash set to  .
zThe following are unavailable:
- Exposure Compensation
-Metering
- AE Lock
- FE Lock
- ISO speed: Auto
- Flash: Auto, Auto with Red-Eye...

53
Shooting
Normally, the   (Auto) white balance setting selects an optimal 
white balance. When the   setting cannot produce natural looking 
colors, change the white balance using a setting appropriate for the 
light source. 
White Balance Settings 
Adjusting the Tone (White Balance)
Shooting Mode 
1FUNC. Menu * (Auto).
See Menus and Settings (p. 26).*Default setting.
zUse the   or   button to select 
a white balance setting and press 
the FUNC./SET button.
Auto Settings are automatically set by the...

54
Using the Custom White Balance 
You can set a custom white balance to obtain the optimal 
setting for the shooting conditions by having the camera 
evaluate an object, such as a piece of white paper or cloth, 
or a photo-quality gray card that you wish to establish as the 
standard white color.
In particular, take a custom white balance reading for the 
following situations that are difficult for the 
 (Auto) setting 
to detect correctly.
zShooting close-ups
zShooting subjects of monotone color (such...

55
Shooting
zYou are recommended to set the shooting mode to 
 and the exposure compensation setting to [±0] 
before setting a custom white balance.
The correct white balance may not be obtained 
when the exposure setting is incorrect (image 
appears completely black or white).
zShoot with the same settings as when reading the 
white balance data. If the settings differ, the optimal 
white balance may not be set.
In particular, the following should not be changed.
- ISO Speed
-Flash
Setting the flash to...

56
By setting a photo effect before you shoot, you can change the look 
and feel of the pictures you take.
Photo Effect Settings
Changing the Photo Effect
Shooting Mode 
1FUNC. Menu * (Effect Off).
See Menus and Settings (p. 26).* Default setting.
zUse the   or   button to select 
a photo effect and press the 
FUNC./SET button. 
Effect OffRecords normally with this setting.
VividEmphasizes the contrast and color saturation to 
record bold colors.
NeutralTones down the contrast and color saturation to...

57
Shooting
A My Colors mode easily changes the colors in an image when it is 
shot, allowing you to alter the balance between red, green and blue, 
transform pale or tanned skin or change a color specified in the 
LCD monitor into a different color. Since they work with both stills 
and movies, these modes let you enjoy producing various image or 
movie effects.
However, depending on the shooting conditions, the images may 
appear rough or you may not get the expected color. Before you try 
to...

58
* The skin colors of non-human subjects may also be altered.
* You may not obtain the expected results depending on the skin color.
Color Swap
Use this option to transform a color specified in the 
LCD monitor into another. The specified color can 
only be swapped into one other color, multiple colors 
cannot be chosen.
Custom Color
Use this option to freely adjust the color balance 
between red, green, blue and skin tones*. It can be 
used to make subtle adjustments, such as making 
blue colors more...