How to Use the ISO Feature in Cameras

Many of the features hiding in the control menus of digital cameras are descended from properties inherent in film and exist to allow you to replicate various effects possible with film using your digital camera. The ISO film speed property is one such feature, and it relates to the sensitivity of film to light.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Digital Camera with ISO function
• Some patience

1. Find the controls on your Digital camera for the ISO setting.

2. Realize that higher ISO number indicates a greater sensitivity to light and faster exposure speed, and is useful for photographing action shots in brightly lit areas or things moving a greater speed. A common side effect of a high ISO number can be that images taken with a high or very high ISO setting can be grainier than when taken with a lower ISO setting. This side effect varies greatly among cameras with some very high end cameras able to take pictures at five figure ISO settings without any graininess.

3. Understand conversely that a lower ISO number translates into a lesser sensitivity to light and a slower exposure speed. This lends low ISO setting to be useful for very high resolution and high detail applications such as portraits and wedding photographs. Additionally for shooting detailed pictures of the moon and other astronomical objects at night a low ISO setting combined with a faster exposure time can yield very detailed pictures that can easily be retouched for brightness later.

4. Practice and play with the settings on your camera and see what works the best for what you need to use your particular camera for. Only by taking a lot of pictures can you learn what settings will fulfill your needs in particular situations.

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