ISO Lesson

What is ISO?

ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. It is measured in numbers (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 etc.)

The lower the number, the less sensitive your camera is to light. This will also cause the grain in the image to be finer. Higher numbers means your sensor becomes more sensitive to light which in turn allows your camera to be used in darker situations.

Below are two examples of using low and high ISO and how they can change the outcome of your photo.

Strategies When Using ISO

1. If you keep your camera on auto mode it will permit your camera to adjust the ISO settings for you. Tip: it will aim to keep your cameras ISO settings as low as possible.
2. Your shutter speed/aperture will get changed if you manually change your ISO settings
3. Look for these four things when you are adjusting the ISO settings
1. Light (is the subject/object well lit?)
2. Grain (do you want a grainy shot or one without noise?)
3. Tripod (if you need your camera to remain steady)
4. Movement (do you want your object/subject to be moving or be still?)

ISO Video

If you would like to review ISO and how to take a perfect image with the correct settings, follow this video.