Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Understanding ISO (Part. I)

Why You Should Know What ISO Means

ISO is one of three factors which determine the exposure of a photo, along with aperture and shutter speed. To really get the most out of your photos you need to know what all 3 do and how you can use them. Read this post to gain a more in depth knowledge of how to use your camera properly and start taking expert photos.





Section 1 – What exactly is ISO?
The ISO (international Standards Organization) determines the sensitivity of the sensor in your camera, which in turn affects the exposure of your photos. The ISO scale typically starts at 100, and continues to double from this point to the boundary of your camera’s capabilities: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600… The starting and ending points of this range and how well the camera handles the ISO depends solely on the camera that you’re using. Most modern cameras these days have many more points at which you can set the ISO in between those that i’ve mentioned.

The international Standards Organization are those responsible for setting this widely used standard and all you need to know is included in the information below.


Section 2 – How does ISO affect Exposure?



ISO is one of three factors which determine the exposure of a photo, along with aperture and shutter speed. These two affect the lens and exposure time respectively, with the ISO affecting the sensor (or film). To be more specific, the ISO determines how well exposed a photo will be by changing the sensitivity.
The ISO scale is similar to shutter speed in the sense that, when doubled, the exposure is also doubled; they are proportional to one another e.g. a low ISO number would give a low exposure and a high ISO would give a high exposure; much simpler then aperture.

42 comments:

  1. So basically, more iso = more exposure.
    But with more exposure your lens is more open then you must have more steady hand, right?

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  2. Think yes daniel. Stativ would be usefull for such stuff :o

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  3. So in the average digital camera, what kind of ISO would one expect, and how much would that jump looking into SLR's?

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  4. so its actually pretty simple stuff, well when you explain it like that anyway :P cheers

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  5. Thank you, My wife bought a Nikon D70 and handed it to me to take pictures like i had any clue WTF I was doing. This was helpful ;)

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  6. Great information here, ISO is so important, essential to learn about.

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  7. This is something I've been wondering about for a while now.

    I've had an inclination that ISO and shutter speed were related in some fashion, but this helps me understand it a bit more.

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  8. liked to read your post, great info

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  9. Thanks for the info, i understand everything now!

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  10. Oh. Ok. Now I have something to tinker with! hehe, THANKS!

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  11. never knew that. Always kinda wondered whenever I took photos. thanks for sharing.

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  12. we had that in school so thanks anyway :)

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  13. Wow really informative. Thanks for the info.

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  14. I wish I took photo in high school. Well, this is the next best thing lol

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  15. ISO means something so much different to me.

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  16. ISO? Im definately gonna research more. thanks!

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  17. My T2i gets really really grainy when you get into 1000+ ISO range.

    But below that, it works wonderfully!

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  18. Hmm good info here on ISO, thanks.

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  19. i like these camera tips. these are usually things i would struggle with but you explain them well

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  20. interesting stuff... i guess so xD

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  21. Wish I had a good enough camera to take nice photos. Sigh, wish I had money to blow on a nice one...

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  22. Thanks for clearing that up.

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  23. Thanks for the info brotha! I never knew about this stuffs

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  24. Thank you so much for the advice! I've wanted to get into photography for a while!

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  25. Since reading your posts, I realize how badly I need a new Camera. Any recomendations for around the $500 price point.

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  26. It's always a pleasure reading your blog!
    I like the way you explain things, keep it up!

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  27. Great guide, you did a really good job of making it understandable.

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  28. dammit now i wanna research this more xD

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  29. You remind me that I can't buy the Nikon D7000 that I want x(

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  30. Back in da OLD days it was the film that had the ISO. I forgot all about it!

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  31. Hey I was wondering that today when I saw it on my camera! Haha thank you for sharing!

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  32. super mega great post! love it

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  33. I have been getting deeper into photography as of late, and I'm sure I will be coming back and learning more! Thanks for the lessons!

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  34. Isn't ISO just an organisation setting standards?

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