1. A method of performing scene classification of an image, the method comprising: receiving an image into a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) comprising multiple layers, each layer having multiple nodes, the DCNN having been customized with adjusted weights at each layer; classifying, by the DCNN, based on the adjusted weights, the image into one or more intermediate output categories, the intermediate output categories being chosen from a set of pre-defined output categories, each of the pre-defined output categories being associated with a separate corresponding binary classifier and a separate corresponding scene classification; extracting, by the DCNN, based on the adjusted weights, one or more characteristic features of the image; and further classifying the image using at least the binary classifiers associated with the one or more intermediate output categories, based on the one or more characteristic features of the image, into the scene classifications corresponding to the one or more intermediate output categories or into a category that is not associated with any of the pre-defined output categories.