Stop taking photos at the WRONG ISO!

Summary

In this video, professional photographer Simone challenges the common misconception of always shooting at the lowest ISO. She explains how raising ISO can be beneficial, especially in low-light situations, and addresses the relationship between noise, dynamic range, and exposure. Simone breaks down the types of noise in photography, offering practical advice on how to reduce shot noise and avoid common pitfalls. Additionally, she emphasizes the creative potential of high ISO and low dynamic range, encouraging photographers to embrace artistic techniques. The video empowers viewers to make informed decisions and experiment with their photography, prioritizing the shot over technical perfection.

Takeaways

• 😀 Raising ISO can reveal noise in an image that was already present, not create new noise.
• 😀 Shot noise is caused by the inherent variation in the number of photons hitting the sensor, and increasing exposure can help reduce it.
• 😀 Heat from the sensor can cause noise, but it's mainly an issue in long exposures, like astrophotography, not regular photography.
• 😀 Dynamic range decreases as ISO increases, but it's often not significant enough to hinder capturing key moments in photography.
• 😀 Properly exposing an image at a higher ISO is usually better than underexposing and increasing brightness in post-processing.
• 😀 Shooting at your camera's native ISO can reduce noise, but in real-world situations, it's more important to focus on the right exposure for the shot.
• 😀 The idea of 'always shoot at the lowest ISO' is misleading; the correct ISO is the one that ensures proper exposure with the desired shutter speed and aperture.
• 😀 Increasing ISO can be a valuable tool when capturing moving subjects or shooting in low light conditions, especially when dynamic range is not the top priority.
• 😀 Embrace creative opportunities that higher noise and lower dynamic range provide, such as creating moody or high-contrast images.
• 😀 The goal is to capture the shot, even if it means compromising on some technical aspects like dynamic range or noise, especially in fast-paced or low-light situations.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video regarding shooting at low ISO?

The video suggests that shooting at the lowest ISO isn't always the best choice. While lower ISOs are typically associated with less noise, the video emphasizes that using a higher ISO, when necessary for achieving the right shutter speed and exposure, can often result in better photos.

What is 'shot noise' in digital photography?

'Shot noise,' also known as photon noise, is caused by the random nature of photons. When light hits the sensor's photo sites, not all sites receive the same amount of light. This inconsistency results in variations in brightness, leading to visible noise in images, especially when exposed to insufficient light.

How can shot noise be reduced in photography?

Shot noise can be reduced by increasing the amount of light hitting the sensor, which can be achieved through longer shutter speeds, larger apertures, or artificial lighting. The more light collected, the less variation in brightness between the photo sites, resulting in less noise.

What is the role of ISO in controlling noise?

ISO acts as a volume knob that amplifies the signal captured by the sensor. When the ISO is increased, the sensor's signal is amplified, which can reveal noise that was already present due to low light. However, using a higher ISO to properly expose an image can lead to cleaner results compared to underexposing and boosting the exposure in post-processing.

How does heat contribute to noise in photography?

Heat can cause noise in photography, particularly in long exposures. It results in the ejection of electrons, which can be misinterpreted as light by the sensor. However, this is typically only an issue in astrophotography or long-exposure time-lapse photography, where excessive heat buildup is more common.

What is the relationship between ISO and dynamic range?

As ISO increases, the dynamic range of the image decreases. Dynamic range refers to the range of light levels a camera can capture, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. Higher ISOs result in less light being captured, reducing the camera's ability to record fine details in both extremes of brightness.

Does raising the ISO reduce the quality of the image?

Raising the ISO can reduce dynamic range and introduce more noise, but the impact on overall image quality depends on the situation. In cases where a higher ISO is needed to achieve the correct exposure or shutter speed (e.g., wildlife photography), the reduction in dynamic range may be acceptable in order to capture the shot.

Is it important to always shoot at the camera's native ISO?

While it's true that shooting at a camera's native ISO can result in less noise, the video suggests that, in real-world conditions, photographers should focus more on achieving the proper exposure rather than strictly sticking to the native ISO. This is especially true for dynamic environments where light conditions are constantly changing.

What does the video say about using higher ISOs creatively?

The video encourages embracing higher ISOs for creative purposes. For example, higher noise and lower dynamic range can be used to create moody, high-contrast images, particularly in difficult lighting situations. The video advocates for focusing on the artistic aspect rather than obsessing over perfect image quality.

What should a beginner photographer focus on when using ISO?

Beginners should understand that ISO is a tool to control exposure. They should prioritize selecting the right aperture and shutter speed for their shot first and adjust the ISO to match the lighting conditions. The video warns against obsessing over always shooting at the lowest ISO, as this can lead to missed opportunities in capturing the shot.