Hello! We haven’t talked about photography in awhile. Summer is prime time to take all those vacay pics, so let’s explore camera ISO, shall we?

What is ISO on my camera?

The best way to explain ISO is to think of a sponge and water.  ISO is the sponge and the light entering the camera is water. The sponge (ISO setting) will soak in as much or as little water (light) as you let it. So the lower the ISO setting, the lower the amount of light you are letting in.

As you can see, this room is full of pattern and color and there is only one window, to the left. So the right side of the room gets less light. In order to bump up the saturation, I bump up the ISO.

How do I use ISO on my camera?

When you are getting ready to adjust your camera’s ISO, switch to that setting on your camera and you will see it in increments of 100.  I recommend starting at 200 when the lighting is decent.

One caveat when adjusting the ISO setting higher, your picture will get grainier. What do you mean, Anita? Grainy like sand?

Yes! You know those popular interiors pics you see on IG? Apartment Therapy seems to love this look.

Photography credit: Apartment Therapy|@sophietphotography

 

Professional photogs use the term “noise”.  When there is a lot of noise in a picture, it’s less focused. If you want to take your fabuloso pics to print, you definitely want to keep your ISO levels low. So 200 is a good go to.

But what if the light sucks Anita?! Well, here comes the balancing act of Shutter speed, Aperture and ISO. There is no cookie cutter answer. This is where experience and practice becomes important!

My moody living room gets good light in afternoon. But even with light, there is only windows in the front and back of the long room. Nothing on the side. So it can be bright but only in certain places.

This is where I had to practice a lot and experience the room at different times of the day. I played with my ISO when it got dark when my aperture could only take me so far. I am an impatient person by nature so I only slow down my shutter speed when I have no other choice or it is on purpose.

Don’t forget having a tripod is crucial too to prevent hand shake. The last thing you need are shakey pictures!

Here’s my summer look for the living room currently. Can you tell the lighting was explosive that day?

Pop quiz! Did I need to bump my ISO up or down?

If you answered turn your ISO down, *ding* ding,* You get a prize! Well, a virtual hug from me for now. Lol!

What do you think? Did I make it easier to understand ISO now? Hankering to go to the beach and catch some awesome shots of the surf?

I hope you show me! I will leave you a link on a few ISO tips from Apartment Therapy. Drop a line anytime if you have questions!

Happy day!