2. WHAT IS ISO?
 How sensitive the image sensor on the camera is to light
The lower the ISO the less sensitive your camera is to light and the finer the
grain
Higher ISO is used in darker situations (low light) but can cause “noisy” or
“grainy” shots
Comparison Example - http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-
content/uploads/old/iso-1.jpg

3. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
 Light
Is the subject well lit?
 Grain
So I want a grainy shot or one without noise
 Tripod
Am I using a tripod?
 Moving Subject
Is my subject moving or stationary

4. LOW OR HIGH?
 Use Low ISO if:
If there is plenty of light, I want little grain, I’m using a tripod and my subject
is stationary I will generally use a pretty low ISO rating.
 Use High ISO if:
If it’s dark, I purposely want grain, I don’t have a tripod and/or my subject is
moving I might consider increasing the ISO as it will enable me to shoot with
a faster shutter speed and still expose the shot well.
Remember – Higher ISO’s can produce grainy or noisy shots

5. PARTICULAR SITUATIONS TO INCREASE ISO
 Indoor Sports
When there is lower light and your subject is moving
 Concerts
Lower light and no flash allowed
 Art Galleries, Churches, etc.
Rules against flash and usually not well lit
 Birthday Parties
Blowing out the candles in a dark room can give you a nice moody shot
which would be ruined by a bright flash. Increasing the ISO can help capture
the scene.

6. REFERENCE
Most of the information for this PowerPoint was taken from:
Rowse, Darren. "ISO Settings in Digital Photography." Digital Photography
School. Digital Photography School, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2013.
<http://digital-photography-school.com/ iso-settings>