What does ISO mean in a camera and how to set it?

Today, almost all of us have such a thing as a camera - at least in a phone. Thanks to this technique, we can take hundreds of photos and different pictures without much effort. But few people know that one of the important factors that can significantly affect the quality of a photo is the sensitivity to light in a photographic device. Let's try to understand the role of such a characteristic as ISO, what this indicator means and how to choose it correctly.

What is the sensitivity of a digital camera? This is a characteristic that makes it possible to determine the dependence of the numerical units of the digital-type image created by the camera on the exposure, which was obtained by the photosensitive type matrix. To put it a little more simply, this is an indicator of how much the matrix perceives the flow of light. ISO affects the sensitivity of the device to the lighting conditions. If desired, you can easily work in an extremely illuminated space, or, conversely, shoot in dark rooms or in the evening, when there is very little light. When there was no digital technology for shooting yet, this indicator was mentioned exclusively for film. But now they measure it for the electron matrix.

Generally, the susceptibility of this element to the flow of light is an extremely important indicator of photography. It will be the main one when adjusting the exposure background, or more precisely, shutter speed and aperture. Sometimes it turns out that the characteristics of the indicator are determined correctly, and it seems that the necessary recommendations have been followed, but the light balance cannot be achieved. And in some cases the picture is very dark, and in others it is too light.

After we figured out what the parameter in question is responsible for, it will not be superfluous to consider how to choose it so that the shooting is of the highest quality and most convenient. To choose the right ISO in the camera, you should ask yourself just 4 questions before this:

• is it possible to use a tripod;
• whether the subject is well lit;
• whether the subject is moving or is in place;
• whether you want to get a grainy image or not.

If the shooting is carried out in a dark environment or in low light, and there is no tripod at hand and the subject is in motion, then care should be taken to increase the ISO. This will make it possible to take pictures much faster and have a good exposure. However, due to the increase in the noise in the frames, it will become noticeably larger.

When it comes to situations where you will need to increase the ISO to get higher quality images, they can be as follows.

1. Various kinds of sporting events in which objects move very quickly and illumination is often limited.
2. Filming in churches and art galleries. Often in such situations it is not possible to use a flash for a number of reasons, such premises are often not very well lit.
3. Concerts that take place with not the best lighting. And the flash on them also does not work.
4. Various kinds of activities. Let's say birthdays. For example, when a birthday boy blows on candles in a dark room, using the flash can ruin the shot. But if you increase the ISO, then such a scene can be captured in full detail.

Let's add that ISO will be a very important aspect of digital photography. You should know about it and understand its setting if there is a desire to get really high-quality images. And the best way to find out the ISO is to experiment with different kinds of settings. This will make it possible to understand how they affect the final image. In addition, you should find out maximum information about aperture, shutter speedbecause their effect on ISO is immediate.

Adjustment of the characteristic in question is required whenever a new survey is made. Naturally, we are talking about the fact that you are not shooting in a photo studio, where all the necessary lighting has already been set up, with which you have already worked many times. If you want to maintain excellent photo quality, then it is better not to experiment with this characteristic.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, it is better to get a slightly lightened or darkened image of high quality, the disadvantages of which can be corrected in some photo corrector, than after a long work to see somewhere grainy-type frames, which will also be distinguished by the presence of a heap of interference and noise.

In general, there are quite a few options for adjusting the photosensitivity in photographic equipment, but let's talk about the most common ones. First you should put manual adjustment of ISO characteristics. After that, you should make change of auto mode to the mode of type "M", which will give significantly more opportunities for setting the desired values.

You should also look at mode of type "A", that is, aperture settings, "S", which is responsible for the aging characteristics, as well as "P", which is responsible for the auto-tuning of the intelligent type. When using mirror devices, you will need to use the menu settings by clicking on item "ISO settings"... Here you need to determine the required value, and then set item "Auto". Highly professional photographic equipment is usually equipped with a special key, which can be located both on top and on the side of the device, which is responsible for the “smart” setting of most of the characteristics at once.

Therefore, at least from time to time, it should be cleaned and wiped with a special degreaser. This makes it possible to avoid the formation of streaks on the camera and various kinds of stains that may form due to villi or small particles of dirt that may be on the matrix surface. You can carry out this procedure on your own and at home, if you first acquire a special cleaning kit. But if you are a beginner, then it would be better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.

If we talk about useful tips, then I would like to name some little tricks that will allow you to better take photos. First, let's say that when using flash and auto-ISO, it is better to disable the latter option. Sometimes the camera simply incorrectly shoots from such a symbiosis and where it is possible to lower the ISO, the camera automatically sets it to the maximum and also takes pictures with a flash.If the device is equipped with a flash, then you can safely set the minimum value of the characteristic in question.

The next point that can help make shooting better - on some models of digital SLR cameras, when setting auto ISO in the menu, you can set either maximumor minimum its indicator. Sometimes, to select the smallest value, you need to put a random number. For example, 800. And then at a maximum of 1600 we get a range of ISO 800-1600 modes, that is, this value cannot fall below. And this is sometimes a very useful feature.

And one more important point that photographers call "The golden rule of ISO tuning." And it lies in the fact that it is necessary to carry out the survey only at the minimum values. If there is an opportunity to lower the figure, this should be done. And to lift, only when without it in any way. In order for the described characteristic to decrease as much as possible, you should open the diaphragm completely. And if you are using flash, you should not use the maximum ISO. In general, we will say that not everyone is able to use the described parameter. But if you understand it and understand how it affects the quality of shooting, you can significantly expand the capabilities of your camera and get better and clearer pictures due to the correct use of this parameter.

In the following video, you will learn how to adjust the ISO in your camera.