The TRUTH about shooting at ISO 100 that the PROS know.

Summary

In this video, professional photographer Simo Adotriomo challenges the common advice of using the lowest ISO possible. He explains that higher ISOs can actually improve photo quality in certain scenarios, such as low light or action shots, and shares tips for using ISO effectively.

Takeaways

• 📸 The common advice to always use the lowest ISO possible (like ISO 100) can be misleading and may lead to poor photo quality.
• 🌟 Raising your ISO might actually improve your photography by allowing for better exposure in certain situations.
• 🔍 ISO is not a source of light but a setting that adjusts the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, acting like a gain or volume knob.
• 🌑 Noise in photos is primarily caused by a lack of light, not by a high ISO setting. High ISO reveals the inherent noise in the image, rather than creating it.
• 🌳 In static scenarios like long exposure photography of waterfalls, using a low ISO can help gather more light and reduce noise.
• 🏞 For dynamic subjects or when camera movement is a concern, higher ISO settings can help freeze action and maintain proper exposure.
• 🌊 In outdoor photography, especially in low light conditions, increasing ISO can be crucial for capturing sharp images of moving subjects like leaves in the wind.
• 📷 Modern cameras, even those with smaller sensors, can produce good quality images at ISO settings as high as 1600 to 3200, and even higher in some cases.
• 🦉 Wildlife photography often requires high ISO settings due to the low light conditions and the need to capture fast-moving subjects.
• 🖼️ Tips for better high ISO images include not cropping too much, using noise reduction software, and avoiding underexposing photos in favor of raising ISO.
• 🔧 Using Auto ISO can be beneficial, allowing the camera to automatically adjust the ISO to achieve proper exposure based on the chosen shutter speed and aperture.

Q & A

Why is the advice to always use the lowest ISO considered dangerous in photography?

The advice to always use the lowest ISO is considered dangerous because it can lead to underexposed photos, which in turn can result in noisy images. Proper exposure is more important than keeping ISO low, and sometimes higher ISO is necessary to achieve the desired exposure, especially in low light conditions or when capturing moving subjects.

What is ISO in photography?

ISO in photography is a setting that controls the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. It's not a source of light but acts as a gain or volume knob that the camera can adjust to brighten or darken the exposure. A higher ISO makes the image brighter, which can be useful in low light situations, but can also introduce noise.

Why does underexposing a photo and then brightening it in post-processing result in a noisier image?

Underexposing a photo and then brightening it in post-processing results in a noisier image because the initial lack of light creates a poor signal-to-noise ratio. The noise was inherent in the sensor and electronic signals, and raising the ISO to properly expose the photo reveals this noise, rather than creating it.

When is using a low ISO recommended in photography?

Using a low ISO is recommended when you have ample light, such as during a long exposure on a tripod for landscape photography, or when using a flash. It helps in gathering a nice amount of light, leading to less noise in the image.

Why might higher ISO be necessary for photographing moving subjects?

Higher ISO is necessary for photographing moving subjects because it allows for faster shutter speeds, which can freeze the action. This is crucial in scenarios where the subject is moving quickly or the camera might move, such as in wildlife photography.

What are some practical applications where higher ISO can be beneficial?

Higher ISO can be beneficial in situations like photographing moving subjects, freezing action in landscapes (like waves or leaves in the wind), shooting in low light conditions, and when using a camera handheld to prevent camera shake.

How can photographers get the best results from high ISO images?

To get the best results from high ISO images, photographers should avoid excessive cropping, use noise reduction software to clean up noisy images, and avoid underexposing the photo to keep the ISO low and then brightening it in processing.

What is the difference between ISO invariant sensors and other camera sensors in terms of noise handling?

ISO invariant sensors maintain a similar noise level whether the photo is underexposed and then brightened in processing or properly exposed. This is beneficial in situations like astrophotography where images often need to be brightened significantly in post-processing.

Why is shooting in manual mode with auto ISO a recommended approach for some photographers?

Shooting in manual mode with auto ISO allows photographers to control the shutter speed and aperture while letting the camera automatically adjust the ISO to achieve proper exposure. This can be particularly useful in changing lighting conditions or when the photographer wants to focus on composition rather than exposure settings.

What are some tips for using auto ISO effectively?

Effective use of auto ISO involves setting the desired shutter speed and aperture, then allowing the camera to choose the appropriate ISO. It's also important to adjust the camera's ISO range settings to prevent it from choosing excessively high ISO values that can introduce excessive noise.