SCP-978 "The Desire Camera"

Item #: SCP-978

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-978 is to be kept in security locker H-J-12 at Site 17, and only to be removed or handled by personnel with Level-2 security clearance or higher. Testing parties may request extra film and printing paper at their leisure. SCP-978 is not to be used for blackmail, entertainment, or personal reasons. This means you. ~ O5-██ All photographs produced by SCP-978 are to be cataloged along with full testing description. Requests to destroy photographs may be processed by Level-4 security clearance or higher personnel, at the discretion of the testing party.

Description: SCP-978 appears to be a standard red-and-black Polaroid Supercolor 645 CL instant camera, with no distinctive identifying marks or damage. SCP-978 operates the same as a standard camera, and shows no anomalous behavior beyond the photographs it produces. When a subject is pictured with SCP-978, the photograph that develops shows not what the subject was doing at the time of the photo, but rather what the subject wanted to be doing.

This effect appears to be, for the most part, random, sometimes showing drastic changes and deeply suppressed desires, or simple changes and alterations to the subject or their surroundings. SCP-978 appears to be capable of expressing the desires of both humans and other creatures (see testing logs) and appears to convey the simplest desires the easiest. Should two subjects with contrasting desires both be photographed together, the subjects' desires appear to 'mix' (see testing log for additional information).

Addendum:

Subjects are allowed to request photographs of themselves. Remember, people, just because some of the photos show distasteful things doesn't mean that you're going to do them. ~ Dr. ████

Testing Log

Log Format Subject: Photographed Activity: Photo Result:

Testing 05/██/██ Simple study of basic research team.

Subject: Research Assistant James ██████ Photographed Activity: Smiling for the camera, neutral pose. Photo Result: Subject is shown looking much more tired and unprofessional, drinking from a flask.

Subject: Research Assistant ██████ █████ Photographed Activity: Smiling for the camera, neutral pose. Photo Result: Subject is shown in casual clothes, as if heading out for the night. Subject admits that she wishes to go home.

Subject: Research Assistant ███ ██████ Photographed Activity: Smiling for the camera, neutral pose. Photo Result: [DATA EXPUNGED] - Research Assistant ███ ██████ is placed on temporary psychiatric leave.

Subject: Dr. █ █████ Photographed Activity: Smiling for the camera, neutral pose. Photo Result: Subject is shown wearing a different tie.

Subject: Dr. ████████ Photographed Activity: Smiling for the camera, neutral pose. Photo Result: [DATA EXPUNGED] - Dr. ████████ expresses extreme embarrassment and apologies for this.

Well, the first round of tests wasn't so bad. Except for those two...let's try this thing on some Class-D and other personnel, see if we can't get more unusual results. ~ Dr. █ █████

Testing 05/██/██ Testing to see effects of SCP-978 on nonhumans.

Subject: Several standard white lab mice. Photographed Activity: All mice are in plain glass tank for photographing. Photo Result: All mice pictured as eating, mating, or both.

Subject: Single zebra finch, standard lab animal. Photographed Activity: Sitting in cage, observing photographer. Photo Result: An open cage, with the zebra finch flying off the edge of the photo, only a wing and part of the tail visible.

Subject: Standard white lab rabbit. Photographed Activity: Sitting in plain glass tank for photographing. Photo Result: Subject is pictured mating with another rabbit.

Subject: Kitten (stray lab animal) Photographed Activity: Being held for the picture by Dr. █████ Photo Result: [DATA EXPUNGED] - I would NEVER do that to a kitten! -Dr. █████

Subject: Guard dog (Doberman mix) and handler. Photographed Activity: Guard dog and handler both posing strictly for photograph. Photo Result: Subjects are pictured as playing a game of fetch.

Subject: Multiple testing cockroaches. Photographed Activity: Cockroaches placed in glass tank for photograph. Photo Result: No change.

Subject: Small spider Photographed Activity: Clinging to the ceiling. Dr. █████ admits that the picture was taken as a last-minute thought when she walked past the spider on her way to SCP-978's containment locker. Photo Result: A massive, hallways-encompassing web with a small spider in it.

Well, at least we know it works on animals. -Dr. █████

For more information on SCP-978 please see the SCP-978 Extended Test Logs

SCP-978 » SCP-978 Extended Test Logs:

Testing with Other SCPs:

Subject: SCP-001-EX Photographed Activity: Operating nominally. Photo Result: No change.

Subject: SCP-001 Photographed Activity: [DATA EXPUNGED] Photo Result: [DATA EXPUNGED] Note: Photo destroyed.

Input O5 Level credentials to view. Subject: SCP-002 Photographed Activity: At rest in its containment chamber. Photo Result: A well-furnished foyer in the style of SCP-002. An unlit hallway extends in the opposite direction.

Subject: SCP-003-1 Photographed Activity: Encased by SCP-003-2, in its dormant state. Photo Result: A human female with her back turned to the camera and mostly obscured by trees, walking in a forested area populated with trees that resemble SCP-003-1 in biological composition. Every other plant life in the forest also appears to have been constructed of SCP-003-1.

Subject: SCP-005 Photographed Activity: Sitting in its containment area. Photo Result: No change.

Subject: SCP-007 Photographed Activity: Subject is playing chess with Dr. ███████. Photo Result: SCP-007 has been removed from Subject's cavity, and he is now inspecting it in his hands. Subject does not show signs of being affected by touching SCP-007's atmosphere with bare hands.

Subject: SCP-008-1 Photographed Activity: Denied by O5-█ Photo Result: N/A Notes: "SCP-008 instances lack the higher cognitive functions to desire anything. What did you honestly expect?" -O5-█.

Subject: SCP-009 Photographed Activity: In its liquid form, leaking from a small hole within its storage tank. Photo Result: A vast, frozen body of water affected by SCP-009. The ██████, ██████████ skyline located in the upper right corner of the photo confirms the affected body of water to be the Pacific Ocean. Notes: "Somehow I thought that's what it would want. Intriguing, indeed..." Dr. Craig Surge, Assistant Senior Testing Supervisor.

Subject: SCP-011 Photographed Activity: Facing towards the camera with its musket to its side. Photo Result: █████████ █████ is standing next to SCP-011, while leaning her head on its shoulder. SCP-011's arms are around her back and its head is leaning on hers. SCP-011's musket is not visible.

Subject: SCP-012 Photographed Activity: Sitting in the darkness of its containment room. Photo Result: No change except the room now has better lighting, allowing any viewer of the photograph to be exposed to SCP-012's cognitohazardous effect. The photo suffered liquid damage from being soaked in blood and was subsequently considered destroyed.

Subject: SCP-013 Photographed Activity: Resting in their containment vault. Photo Result: A woman whose face above the mouth is not visible, consuming an instance of SCP-013. The woman's appearance matches the descriptions of the hallucinated woman provided by individuals affected by SCP-013.

Subject: SCP-014 Photographed Activity: Sitting in his chair. Photo Result: No change.

Subject: SCP-016 Photographed Activity: Stored within its petri dish. Photo Result: Camera switched around to face Dr. Surge, bleeding heavily from all facial orifices. Notes: "That's... disturbing..." -Dr. Craig Surge, Assistant Senior Testing Supervisor.

Subject: SCP-017 Photographed Activity: Curled up at the corner of its chamber, back turned to the camera. Photo Result: [DATA EXPUNGED]. Research into the relation between the produced photograph and [DATA EXPUNGED] actions during the events of document #017-1 is ongoing.

Subject: SCP-020 Photographed Activity: Affecting the household of a human settlement in Cleveland, USA. Photo Result: SCP-020 growths have spread to the entire house's surface, and the population of the household has doubled. Other individuals in the photo were not identified.

Subject: SCP-021 Photographed Activity: Moving upwards on the arm of D-139. Photo Result: "Feeding" on a tattoo of a cow carcass drawn on D-139's abdomen.

Subject: SCP-023 Photographed Activity: Howling at the ceiling in its holding area. Photo Result: Howling at the Sun, which appears to be [DATA EXPUNGED], even though it is obviously nighttime in the photo's setting.

Subject: SCP-029 Photographed Activity: Sleeping on the floor. Photo Result: Surrounded by men (who are all previous members of the group of interest known as the 'Thugees') applauding SCP-029. SCP-029 is visibly pleased with her situation and is wearing a dark-colored gown.

Subject: SCP-030 Photographed Activity: Attending his study, having not yet taken notice of the photographer. Photo Result: Presenting a portion of his work to a humanoid entity seated on a throne. This humanoid entity bears a heavy resemblance to SCP-███-1.

Subject: SCP-031 Photographed Activity: Attempting to seduce the photographer. Photo Result: Kissing the photographer. The location of the photo has changed to a poorly furnished motel room.

Subject: SCP-032 Photographed Activity: Facing the northeastern wall of its containment. Photo Result: A woman's corpse, whose features resemble SCP-032, lies at the center of the room. An elderly male human is sitting and crying next to the corpse, violently pulling his hair and clothing out of frustration. SCP-032 itself is still present in the room, engaged in the same activity.

Subject: SCP-035 Photographed Activity: At rest in its containment chamber. Photo Result: SCP-035 is being worn by an unidentified individual sitting on a throne. On the floor there are 3 dead masked individuals. The location of the picture appears to be [DATA EXPUNGED].

Subject: Four instances of SCP-039 Photographed Activity: Grooming each other.2 Photo Result: All 23 instances of SCP-039 performing various repairs and modifications on a lime green 1960 Chevrolet Nomad,3 which is resting on a large, rectangular slab of concrete in what appears to be a mangrove forest. SCP-039-A is in the driver's seat.

Subject: SCP-039-A Photographed Activity: Lying on its bed and listening to music. Photo Result: Seated at a dining room table with three other individuals. When the photograph was described to SCP-039-A, it identified the scene as the dining room at its grandmother's house and the other individuals as its parents and grandmother. SCP-039-A still lacks facial features in the photograph, as do its family members.

Subject: SCP-040 Photographed Activity: Playing with SCP-040-1j. Photo Result: Sharing a meal with a human child SCP-040 identified as "Five" in a dining room filled with SCP-040-1 instances of varying size and shapes, each either playing with each other or attempting to have SCP-040's attention.

Subject: SCP-041 Photographed Activity: Watching TV through the eyes of a Class D personnel. Photo Result: Watching TV from his hospital bed, having awoken from his coma.

Subject: SCP-053 Photographed Activity: Coloring in a coloring book. Photo Result: Riding on SCP-682's back in a pastoral setting; SCP-682 is wearing a bright red hair-bow and a floral dress similar to SCP-053's favored clothing, and has bright pink nail polish on its claws. Adult humans are present, but facial features are indistinct.

Subject: SCP-054 Photographed Activity: Observing the photographer from behind its provisional containment tank. Photo Result: Playing with a family of dolphins in the ocean, no land is visible and the water extends as far as the eye can see. Timing of the photo appears to be during sunset.

Subject: SCP-055 Photographed Activity: Photographed inside containment cell. Photo Result: Unknown. Notes: A researcher misplaced the photograph and we are unable to relocate it.

Subject: SCP-056 Photographed Activity: Criticizing the photographer after assuming the form of [DATA EXPUNGED]. Photo Result: The photo displays a Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera in SCP-056's place.

Subject: SCP-058 Photographed Activity: Hissing at the camera. Photo Result: Being held by a facially censored individual in front of a crowd of human corpses behind the study desk of the President of the US. The location of the photo appears to be the Oval Office. Note: Results of this test are to be considered a Level 3 information breach. Investigation underway.

Subject: SCP-053 Photographed Activity: Coloring in a coloring book. Photo Result: Riding on SCP-682's back in a pastoral setting; SCP-682 is wearing a bright red hair-bow and a floral dress similar to SCP-053's favored clothing, and has bright pink nail polish on its claws. Adult humans are present, but facial features are indistinct.

Subject: SCP-054 Photographed Activity: Observing the photographer from behind its provisional containment tank. Photo Result: Playing with a family of dolphins in the ocean, no land is visible and the water extends as far as the eye can see. Timing of the photo appears to be during sunset.

Subject: SCP-055 Photographed Activity: Photographed inside containment cell. Photo Result: Unknown. Notes: A researcher misplaced the photograph and we are unable to relocate it.

Subject: SCP-056 Photographed Activity: Criticizing the photographer after assuming the form of [DATA EXPUNGED]. Photo Result: The photo displays a Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera in SCP-056's place.

Subject: SCP-058 Photographed Activity: Hissing at the camera. Photo Result: Being held by a facially censored individual in front of a crowd of human corpses behind the study desk of the President of the US. The location of the photo appears to be the Oval Office. Note: Results of this test are to be considered a Level 3 information breach. Investigation underway.

Subject: SCP-069 Photographed Activity: Mimicking the appearance of Agent ███████ █████. Photo Result: No change. Note: The results of this test are to be a reminder to all personnel that although SCP-069 can imitate human life to perfection, it cannot be considered an actual living being with human desires.

Subject: SCP-073 Photographed Activity: Eating in the Site-17 cafeteria. Photo Result: Tending to an assorted range of plants on a small farm. In the background, various domesticated animals are wandering around.

Subject: SCP-075 Photographed Activity: Subject is in its dormant state. Photo Result: Instead of its containment chamber, SCP-075 appears to be located in a marsh. It is rested on top of a wooden log.

Subject: SCP-076-2 Photographed Activity: Lying in its sarcophagus in SCP-076-1. Photo Result: Tending to a herd of pigs in a pastoral landscape, while a large city is consumed by flames in the background. Closer inspection revealed that the pigs were consuming the remains of SCP-073.

Subject: SCP-079 Photographed Activity: Displaying an 'ASCII' picture of a capitalized letter X while resting in its holding area. Photo Result: Components of a massive computing device which resembles an IBM brand supercomputer occupy SCP-079's holding area. Humanoid entities who bear physical likeness to living Foundation personnel lie immobile on the ground, cables protruding from their craniums and connecting to the machine. Robotic modifications have been made to the personnel's limbs and face which make visual identification difficult.

Subject: SCP-082 Photographed Activity: Sharing a meal with SCP-4820. Photo Result: Performing at the Paris Opera House, as it appears in the 1986 musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Based on the costumes and sets visible in the photograph, SCP-082 seems to be portraying Méphistophélès in Charles Gounod's opera adaption of Faust while SCP-4820 portrays the title character. Several audience members are visible; identified individuals include Peter Dinklage, Batman (as depicted in early issues of Detective Comics), SCP-507, Lon Cheney Jr. (as the Wolf-Man), and Maximilien Robespierre. All visible audience members have apparently been moved to tears by SCP-082's performance.

Subject: SCP-093 Photographed Activity: Placed on a standard mirror. Photo Result: The mirror is shattered into pieces, and SCP-093 is rolling on the ground at great speed. SCP-093 is shining with a bright white light, a color that was never displayed by SCP-093 prior to the test. Close inspection reveals that the reflection of a red-skinned humanoid creature can be seen on the shattered glass pieces.

Subject: SCP-096 Photographed Activity: SCP-096 is seen sitting in its containment chamber, faced away from the camera. Photo Result: Picture of SCP-096's containment chamber, taken from the same angle. SCP-096 is not present in the photograph.

Subject: SCP-105 Photographed Activity: Testing denied by O5-█ Photo Result: Testing denied by O5-█

Subject: SCP-106 Photographed Activity: SCP-106 emerging from a wall. Photo Result: SCP-106 roaming a wheat field. Appears to be approaching an old farm house, while a woman, appearing to be in her mid-sixties, welcomes 106.