ISO, or International Organization for Standardization, is a measurement of the sensitivity of a
camera's image sensor to light. In
photography, selecting ISO is an important function as it has significant impacts on the quality of the images captured.
When you are selecting ISO, you are essentially selecting the level of sensitivity of your
camera's image sensor to light. The sensitivity is measured in ISO values, with values increasing in increments of 100 (e.g. 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and so on).
A low ISO value (100-200) indicates low sensitivity, meaning the sensor requires more light to capture an image. This is ideal for capturing images in naturally bright conditions such as during the day or in a well-lit indoor setting. At low ISO, the image is cleaner, smoother, and less grainy, resulting in a more detailed, sharper and clearer photograph.
On the other hand, high ISO values (800-3200 or higher) are utilized when shooting in low light conditions, as it enables the
camera's sensor to collect more light and produce a brighter image. However, high ISO settings are prone to show noise and grain. Noise in a picture is the grainy effect seen on images that are taken with high ISO, also caused by low light environments.
Therefore, selecting ISO is critical in
photography as it regulates the amount of light to which the
camera's sensor is exposed. It allows
photographers to adjust image brightness and quality based on the lighting conditions without the need for additional gear, such as flashes or reflectors. Hence, proper selection of ISO values enables
photographers to capture high quality, vivid, and noise-free pictures.
Photography