ISO Illuminated
Learn about final piece of the exposure Trio; Iso
Workshop Summary:
In this third workshop, you'll master the final piece of the exposure puzzle: ISO. We'll start by locating the ISO setting on your specific camera model, so you know exactly where to find it and how to adjust it confidently. You'll learn what ISO really does—how it controls your camera sensor's sensitivity to light—and when to use different ISO settings to achieve perfect exposure.
Through hands-on practice with your own camera, you'll experiment with ISO in various lighting conditions and discover how it impacts your images. You'll understand the balance between the three exposure controls (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) and learn when Auto ISO can be your friend. We'll also explore the trade-offs: while higher ISO allows you to shoot in low light, it can introduce digital noise—but as you'll see, this isn't always a bad thing.
By the end of this session, you'll confidently know where to find ISO on your camera and how to use it creatively to capture great photos in any lighting condition. This completes your understanding of the exposure triangle, giving you full creative control over your photography.
Topics Covered:
Finding and adjusting ISO on your camera
Understanding ISO sensitivity and how it affects exposure
Managing digital noise at high ISO settings
Balancing ISO with aperture and shutter speed
When to use Auto ISO versus manual control
Shooting confidently in low light conditions
Recap: Discuss aperture experiments and review how F-stop, shutter speed, and ISO work together
Historical Context: ISO originally referred to film 'speed'—how quickly film burned when exposed to light. Higher ISO films were more light-sensitive and needed less light to create an image, though they also showed more grain.
Featured Artist: Oswaldo Cepeda - A photographer who embraces high ISO and digital noise as part of his distinctive style, showing that technical "flaws" can become creative strengths