ABSTRACT

ISO, a fundamental component in

photography alongside shutter speed
and aperture, adjusts a camera's
sensitivity to light, influencing image
brightness. Originating from the
"International Organization for
Standardization," ISO values, when
increased, brighten photos, but can
introduce digital "noise." The lowest
native ISO, or "base ISO," yields the
highest image quality with minimal
noise. While larger camera sensors
handle high ISOs better, using settings
like "Auto ISO" and "Extended ISO" can

UNDERSTANDING aid in challenging lighting conditions.

However, it's crucial to balance ISO
settings to maintain image clarity and
minimize noise.

“ISO” Shrihari Dhole

Assistant Professor

[Document subtitle]
 Understanding ISO 1

Understanding ISO in Photography

ISO is a cornerstone in the trinity of photography settings, the other two being shutter speed and
aperture. Its primary function is to regulate the brightness of your images.

What is ISO?

At its core, ISO adjusts the camera's sensitivity to light. As the ISO number increases, photos become
brighter. This makes ISO invaluable for capturing images in dim settings or when specific shutter
speed and aperture values are non-negotiable. However, a higher ISO can introduce digital "noise"
(aka "grain" in film photography), potentially compromising image quality. Ideally, ISO should be
increased only when other brightness-enhancing methods, like adjusting shutter speed or aperture,
are impractical.

ISO's Origin

The term ISO originates from the "International Organization for Standardization". While it might
seem unrelated to photography, the name became synonymous with camera sensitivity when the
ASA and DIN film standards merged into ISO standards in 1974. Initially pertinent to film sensitivity,
digital camera manufacturers later adopted ISO to ensure brightness consistency with film.

Common ISO Values Cameras offers a range of ISO values:

• ISO 100 (low ISO)

• ISO 200

• ISO 400

• ISO 800

• ISO 1600

• ISO 3200

• ISO 6400 (high ISO)

 Understanding ISO 2

Doubling the ISO value doubles the image's brightness. For instance, a photo taken at ISO 400 will
be twice as bright as one taken at ISO 200.

Base ISO and Image Quality The "base ISO" is the lowest native ISO setting on a camera, producing
the highest image quality with minimal noise. While older DSLRs and some modern cameras like the
Fuji X-T2 have a base ISO of 200, many contemporary cameras start at ISO 100. For optimal results,
photographers should use the base ISO. However, in low-light scenarios, this might not be feasible.

Optimizing ISO for Quality To achieve the best image quality:

1. Choose an aperture for the desired depth of field.

2. Set your ISO to its base value and adjust the shutter speed for a correct exposure.

3. If motion blur is evident, incrementally increase your ISO and use a faster shutter speed until
the blur is eliminated.

4. If the ISO becomes excessively high, consider widening the aperture to reduce ISO, even if it
alters the depth of field slightly.

Additional Considerations:

• Digital Noise vs. Film Grain: In digital photography, high ISO values introduce "noise." In
contrast, film photography exhibits "grain."

• Sensor Size and ISO: Larger sensors, like those in full-frame cameras, typically handle high
ISO values better than smaller sensors found in compact cameras or smartphones.

• Auto ISO: Modern cameras often feature an "Auto ISO" mode, where the camera
automatically selects the best ISO based on the environment and other settings.

• Extended ISO: Some cameras provide extended ISO ranges beyond their standard settings,
useful in extreme conditions but potentially compromising on image quality.

• ISO Invariance: Advanced cameras with ISO-invariant sensors allow photographers to modify
exposure in post-processing without significantly affecting noise or overall image quality.