For those who are new to photography, ISO is a concept that is both significant and somewhat perplexing. Don’t worry. Today, we’ll explore in depth what ISO is and its importance in photography.
ISO stands for the sensitivity of the camera to light. It’s like the “eyes” of the camera, determining how the camera reacts to different light conditions. When you increase the ISO value, the camera’s sensitivity to light gets enhanced. This means that in a dim environment, the camera can capture more light. For instance, when photographing city streets at night, a high ISO enables the camera to obtain sufficient light within a short period and produce clear pictures.
The impact of ISO on photography is mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Exposure: ISO directly influences the exposure of photos. In low-light situations, increasing the ISO can make the camera receive more light and achieve proper exposure. However, it should be noted that an excessively high ISO value may lead to overexposure, making the photo look too bright.
Noise: The higher the ISO value, the more likely it is for the photo to have noise. Noise refers to some irregular granular patterns that reduce the quality of the photo. So when shooting, try to avoid using overly high ISO values, especially when there is sufficient light.
Color and contrast: The ISO value also affects the color and contrast of photos. Higher ISO values will make the colors of the photo more vivid and enhance the contrast. In some specific scenarios, such as photographing landscapes or portraits, it can make the photo more vivid and appealing.
So how should beginners choose ISO values? Generally speaking, in well-lit conditions, try to choose lower ISO values to ensure the quality and clarity of the photos. In a dark environment, you can increase the ISO value appropriately, but pay attention to observing the photo’s effect and avoid the appearance of noise.
In conclusion, ISO is of great significance in photography. It is an important element in photography, and for beginners, understanding the concept and function of ISO is very important. I hope this article can help beginners better understand ISO photography and take more wonderful photos.
