A method of operating a video camera system comprises recording video frames of a scene that includes a zone defined as an area within a field-of-view of the video capture element; performing a first analysis of recorded video frames showing the zone, determining, based on the first analysis, a first difference of composition thereof; performing a second analysis of an area outside of the zone; determining, based on the second analysis, a second difference of composition thereof; characterizing one or more properties corresponding to the second difference in composition; determining whether the one or more properties are associated with the first difference in composition within the zone and if so, characterizing the first difference in composition within the zone based on the one more properties and performing an action based on the characterization of the first difference in composition within the zone based on the one or more properties.