ISO Photography Basics for Beginners
If you are delving into photography and have encountered the confusing term ISO, you're in the right place to understand ISO photography basics for beginners. ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. It may sound confusing, but understanding ISO for the beginner photographer is easier than you may think.
What is ISO?
ISO refers to the sensitivity level of your camera's sensor to light. In simple terms, the lower the ISO, which is represented by numbers, the less sensitive the sensor is to light, and the higher the ISO, which also numerically represents the more sensitive it is.
ISO camera settings may range from a lower limit of 100 to a higher limit of 6400, which is standard for most cameras. However, your camera may go even higher or lower as equipment evolves and changes.
Understanding how ISO can help you successfully take photos when you're frustrated with your results will be beneficial and extremely helpful in certain photo shoot situations and conditions.
For example, increasing the ISO numeric value helps capture a scene or subject in low-light conditions or when a faster shutter speed is required to capture your subject.
In simple terms, if I describe ISO in a non-technical, easy-to-understand manner, it would be for you to think of ISO as a flashlight for your camera to help you when needed.
Key Points About ISO:
You can use the camera's Auto ISO setting to let it determine the numeric value based on how it interprets the subject or scene.
However, manually deciding on and adjusting the ISO values allows for increased control over exposure.
ISO is one of three components relating to what's referred to as the exposure triangle.
The other two components are aperture and shutter speed.
With ISO, the lower the numerical value, such as 100, 200, or 400, the less sensitive the sensor is to light.
The higher the numeric value, such as 1000, 1600, or 3200, the more sensitive the sensor is to light.
Depending on how well your camera handles high numeric ISO values, the higher the number, the more sensitive the sensor is to light, which may produce digital noise.,
Digital noise may result in a grainy and pixilated result.
In this example, the ISO numeric value is shown to be 100.
Using ISO
ISO photography basics for beginners involve finding the optimal balance between:
Having enough light to expose your image.
Your choice of aperture, or the f-stop.
The optimum shutter speed to capture your subject, particularly if it’s in motion.
To prevent excess digital noise, choose a lower ISO or numeric value.
As previously mentioned, ISO is one of the three components of the exposure triangle, along with aperture and shutter speed. Learning to balance these three elements is necessary for achieving well-exposed images.
Recommended ISO Settings:
Lower ISO settings, around 100 or 200, are usually sufficient for those bright, sunny days and when the available light is abundant.
A mid-range ISO of 400 or 800 provides increased sensitivity, which is helpful in well-lit indoor or overcast situations.
Higher ISO settings, such as 1600 and above, are usually reserved for low-light conditions.
Depending on available lighting, there will be occasions to use the lowest ISO numeric value, or camera setting, to the highest.
Where to find the ISO settings.
Please refer to your camera manual if you need to locate the ISO setting for your particular camera model, as it may be different.
How to Find the ISO Setting:
Option One
Go to the camera Menu.
The multi-selector with the right-left-up-down arrows for accessing different menu options. See point #4.
Look for the camera icon and press the appropriate arrow to select it using the multi-selector.
Once you're in the Photo Shooting Menu, notice the camera icon highlighted in green on the left side.
Press the right arrow to access that page menu.
Arrow down to highlight ISO sensitivity settings.
Press the right arrow on the rotary dial with OK in the center to access the settings.
The camera menu allows access to the ISO sensitivity settings example, as seen below.
ISO sensitivity settings custom menu.
Scrolling up or down to a desired value selects it.
Press the OK button, and you have now manually chosen an ISO numeric value.
ISO sensitivity numeric values range from Low to High, including hundreds and thousands in between, such as ISO 200, 400, 1600, up to 5000, 6400, and higher.
Option Two:
Look for a quick-access button with the letters ISO above it on the back of your camera body.
Your camera may also come with a quick adjust, as seen here with an ISO button.
Press the button and rotate the main command or rotary dial to the desired setting.
Observe the setting on the camera display or when looking through the viewfinder as you adjust the dial.
The camera's main command dial is on the back of the body (top right corner). You’ll probably have a sub-command dial on the front if you have two dials. Only one command dial may be on the front or the back.
Examples of ISO Settings:
Changing the numerical value from 3200 to 1600 would halve the amount of light sensitivity, just as you would again from 1600 to 800. If you begin at 800 and stop at 1600, you double the amount of light sensitivity.
Can you Change the ISO Value When in the Camera Auto Mode?
Yes, you can. However, you will discover that the option to do so in specific camera shooting modes is unavailable. In that case, your camera may display a message, or the text changes to grey, indicating you cannot utilize it.
If you change the ISO when shooting with the camera's automatic mode, the camera will adjust the aperture and shutter speed for the best results.
The key to understanding ISO for the beginner photographer is to experiment.
Be willing to change the ISO value and observe how the aperture and shutter speed change if you're in the camera's automatic or semi-automatic modes, such as aperture or shutter speed priority.
If you're comfortable using the camera’s manual mode, experiment with different ISO values and discover how they can help you, especially in low-light conditions and when capturing fast action.
Prairie Crocus highlighted with an external camera flash.
Settings: f/22, 1/125 (sec.), ISO 50
When comparing the camera settings in the photo above and one below, note the difference in the exposure results between using a flash and then no flash.
Changing the f-stop from f/22 to f/18 increases the amount of light entering the lens.
Changing the shutter speed from 1/125 to 1/1600 causes the camera to take the photo faster. If I didn’t compensate for the increase in light by increasing the shutter speed, my flowers would be too bright or overexposed.
Due to the flash, I didn’t need much help from the ISO, so I decided on an ISO of 50. When using natural light only, I changed the ISO to 800 to help compensate for what would be considered a “stopped down” aperture, which limits the amount of light entering the lens.
Photographed in available natural light
Settings: f/18, 1/1600, ISO 800.
Settings: f/8, 1/640, ISO 2500
Noting the camera settings for the above and below landscapes, the f-stop remained constant.
Changing the shutter speed from 1/640 of a second to 1/320 allowed the light to be admitted for longer.
Because of the increased time the light was admitted through the lens, the ISO numeric value and sensitivity need to be reduced.
Failing to reduce the ISO could have resulted in an overexposed or too bright result.
Settings: f/8, 1/320, ISO 1250
In Conclusion
Remember, there's no right or wrong ISO speed; just be aware of digital noise and use ISO numeric values appropriately to capture your scene or subject satisfactorily. If you have sufficient available or artificial light, you can usually use a lower ISO. In low-light situations or when a faster shutter speed to capture action is necessary, increase the ISO.
Initially, it may be enough to be aware of ISO and observe how it changes when using the auto ISO setting.
ISO settings can play an important role in indoor or night photography, as high ISO numeric values help you capture images in low-light situations without a flash.
If you’re not sure where to begin, if setting the ISO value yourself, and not allowing the camera to adjust it for you, consider the lighting.
For example, you might begin at ISO 1600 in lower light and increase if necessary.
If there’s an abundance of light, begin around 400-600 and adjust if necessary.
Digital noise is visible in the pixilated, discoloured, grainy appearance.
ISO 3200, when the camera I took this photo with, years ago, did not handle high ISO well or anything value over 800.
By experimenting, you can discover your comfort level with digital noise and when it is too much. Sometimes, you may need to sacrifice quality to get the shots, but at least you'll be better informed when making the decision.
Mastering ISO involves determining when to push that ISO setting, understanding the potential for associated digital noise, and deciding when the trade-off is worth it.
ISO photography basics for beginners could seem intimidating initially due to the varied effects of ISO on image quality and exposure. Have fun experimenting with ISO settings, and allow your newfound understanding of ISO to expand your photography skills!
Finally, you can discern when by taking practice photos and adjusting your camera to the highest numeric values. If digital noise becomes an issue, at least this way, you’ll be aware of camera limitations in low-light situations.
