(NTP) : ISO Challenge : 2011

[ricktas]

What better way to start 2011 with a new series of challenges for the AP members learning how to use their cameras. So if you are New To Photography, give these challenges a go, learn to get off Auto Mode, and understand how camera features work, and interact with each other.

This challenge to our members that want to learn to take control of their digital camera is based on the Learning Centre topic : ISO (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showlibrary.php?title=Indexes:Experimenting_with_ISO_sensitivity).

ISO adjustment increases the 'sensitivit'y of your camera's sensor. This is done electrically and the more 'sensitive' you make your sensor to light, the faster shutter speeds you can achieve.

So we would like you to set your camera to Aperture mode, and set it to the smallest aperture you can. Usually f22 (remember the larger the number the smaller the actual aperture). Now make sure your camera is in manual ISO mode (refer to your camera manual in need).


THE CHALLENGE: We want you to go out and take two photos of the same subject. One at ISO 100 (some may have to use 200 as it could be the lowest number available to you). Then using the same subject, change the ISO to 3200 and take another photo. If your camera allows very high ISO try one at ISO 8000 or above as well. Present your photos in this thread and tell us what you have learnt from increasing the ISO.

Specifically, what happens to your shutter speed and what happens to the quality of the photo produced? Tell us what you observed.

The full New To Photography Learning Centre is in the Ausphotography Library (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showlibrary.php), under New To Photography (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showlibrary.php?title=Indexes:New_To_Photography_Book)

Looking forward to seeing your two/three photos presented for the challenge and your discussions about what you have learnt from the challenge, and how changing the ISO setting can visually affect the resultant photos. Also remember to look at what changing the ISO does to the other camera settings. What happens to the shutter speed, and why does it happen

[itybitypieces]

ISO 200 f/38 exposure time 10 sec
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5397291866_dc92c2e0f3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettbickle/5397291866/)
matchboxisotest1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettbickle/5397291866/) by 31e63ff63eeff23824220cd93dda29c2 (http://www.flickr.com/people/brettbickle/), on Flickr

ISO 3200 f/38 exposure time 1/2 sec

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5397292090_dc4ed9004e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettbickle/5397292090/)
matchboxisotest2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettbickle/5397292090/) by 31e63ff63eeff23824220cd93dda29c2 (http://www.flickr.com/people/brettbickle/), on Flickr

when taking these two photos on the settings i did. the main thing i noticed was the shutter speed and how dramatic the diffrence was.this would probably be because the higher ISO is more sensitive to light allowing the faster shutter speed for a correct exposure.
at first when i reviewed my photos,i did notice that the one with the ISO3200 did have some noise in the shadow of the match box,also the same on the red of the koala.wasnt that noticeable until i zoomed in though.which would be usefull if you wanted to add a grain like effect to a photo.not sure if this was ment to happen but the iso3200 is slightly darker.

[ricktas]

Good work on noticing the change of shutter speed. So if you were trying to capture a fast moving subject, but the results were blurry, so you increased the shutter speed, but that resulted in an under-exposed photo, what could you do to ensure you got a fast shutter speed to freeze the action, whilst still getting a good exposure?

[itybitypieces]

increase the ISO

[ricktas]

increase the ISO

Yep!

Hope some more photographic newbies take up this challenge.

[William]

This is a very useful thread Rick, I think ISO is one of the most misunderstood functions of a Digital camera , Keep it it as low as you can get , And only increase it for very low light or If needed for high speed action :)

[JanOD]

ISO is the very thing I've been working on for the last couple of months. I just can't seem to wrap my head around 'the triangle' by reading and tutorials, so I decided to just go manual and experiment.

High ISO on my camera always means noise, and doesn't look good in sunset or wildlife photos (which are my most common subjects). So I have been using ISO 100, 200, and sometimes 400, but never higher, except in extremely low light (where noise seems to be inevitable without a tripod). Since I take photos handheld, I've been sticking with 0.005 sec (1/200) or faster on the shutter speed. This leaves aperture settings usually pretty high (low number) most of the time. If I speed up the shutter speed, I lower the number on aperture (bigger aperture) with it, to allow for more light. If that doesn't work, I change ISO up one, say from 100 to 200, and try again....

Just speaking in beginner generalities, do I have the concept right?

I'll have to read my camera manual to find out how to change ISO in AV mode (I didn't know it was possible). But I will be giving this a go! Thanks!

[ricktas]

Hi Jan,

yes you have the basics behind it correct. However in low light for landscapes it is better to leave your ISO low and lower you shutter speed. Get a good tripod, and a remote shutter release, and then take 15 second.30 second,3 minute exposures. You will get some amazing landscapes using a longer exposure time, rather than increasing your ISO.

Re noise. Depending on your camera, you can usually get to ISO 400 or more without seeing much noise introduced. Certainly some cameras, usually the full frame sensor ones, and reasonably current models allow you to get to ISO 4000 and still have relatively little noise appearing in the resultant photo.

You can use ISO to your advantage: Increase ISO when you NEED a faster shutter speed (fast moving sports for example), or if you go out with the intention of trying to process a series into monochrome, increasing the ISO can leave noise, which when converted to monochrome looks rather like the grainy black and whites of old!

For landscapes etc, leave your ISO as low as you can, though experiment and see what results you can get using high ISO in all sorts of situations. Experimenting helps you understand how your camera works, and also, you just never know what you might capture that is different to what others do, simply because you are doing something that everyone else doesn't do.

[SeanT]

I'm a complete newbie only getting a camera last week. I've taken a few photos indoors in the afternoon so light is pretty low and they are often coming out blurry (I think due to slow shutter speed) I've got the camera on 'P' mode and am trying to take shots of a toddler and 1 yrs old. From looking at this thread and reading a few others would it be fair to say it may be the ISO is too low as a tripod isn;t really an option when chasing children around. Do you have any setting you would recommend as being 'standard' or is there too many variables?

[Dylan & Marianne]

If I was chasing kids around inside, I'd try to use the highest iso that your camera will produce usuable images with (I don't go past 1600 on the 7D for instance) in combination with the widest open aperture (smallest F number) in order to allow yourself a fast shutter speed. Flash is a whole new kettle of fish!

[ricktas]

I'm a complete newbie only getting a camera last week. I've taken a few photos indoors in the afternoon so light is pretty low and they are often coming out blurry (I think due to slow shutter speed) I've got the camera on 'P' mode and am trying to take shots of a toddler and 1 yrs old. From looking at this thread and reading a few others would it be fair to say it may be the ISO is too low as a tripod isn;t really an option when chasing children around. Do you have any setting you would recommend as being 'standard' or is there too many variables?

Have a go at the New To Photography learning plan, and then join in these challenges. You have been a member since September, but had 2 posts. If you follow the learning plan, give the challenges a try and learn, you will understand why your shots are blurry. The benefits of Ausphotography are much greater if you join in, and act on the feedback, rather than just reading.

[SeanT]

Thanks for that I'm starting the learning program now

[daggert]

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/daggertowner/IMG_8578.jpg
ISO 100
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/daggertowner/IMG_8579.jpg
ISO 1600
I guess the thing I notice more is the brightness of the 1600 shot. Was taken in a well lit room
I might try again in an outside shot

[daggert]

Also when I took the 100 shot all I got was a blurred image because of camera shake. I ended up using a tripod

[daggert]

Tried again with an outside shot of my dog. It is sunny outside but with a very fine layer of cloud over the sun, therefore shadows werent as obvious as they might have been. What I did notice was again the 1600 has a brighter more clearer representation of the wall.
I thought that 100 was best for sunny conditions and expected the 1600 to be the poorer lit shot. The dog doesnt seem to change all that much.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/daggertowner/IMG_8581.jpg
ISO 100
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/daggertowner/IMG_8582.jpg
ISO 1600

[daggert]

Now that I can see them side by side, I can see the colour difference in the wall behind her. Why is that? Would that be light reflecting off her back, while the front part is more shaded?
Maybe the 1600 has more coat definition.
I do need to invest in a eye test and get some glasses though so I sometimes think the blur is in my eyes not the photo!

[cfm]

I have been grappling with the Shutter/Aperture/ISO triangle, and almost think that camera's should have 3 rotary dials (Tv/Av/ISO) instead of 2 (Tv/Av) for when you're in Manual mode. I just have to get used to fiddling with ISO as well, which isn't too hard with my Pentax K-7. Also, the K-7 has a Sensitivity mode, so you can set ISO and let the camera choose shutter and aperture. I've found it quite useful at times.

[rubyd]

This was a great challenge! Its always so interesting to read everyones discoveries! I'll participate in a challenge soon too! :)

[juanny]

Hi. I am a newbie and trying to find time to try out the challenges in between changing nappies and chasing after my two older kids. I am slowly working through the learning plan. I took two photos one with an ISO 200 and the other ISO 1600. The main difference i noticed was the shutter speed in the first photo with the ISO 200. As you can see the photo is quite blury so obviously needed a tripod. Is the reason the shutter speed changes is because the lower the ISO there is less light therefore the shutter speed is slower? I get quite confused over ISO. The other photo with ISO 1600 was quite clear. Thanks for looking.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61493148@N05/5791970197/" title="IMGP7954 by juanny3, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/5791970197_191981517d.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="IMGP7954"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61493148@N05/5791970291/" title="IMGP7955 by juanny3, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/5791970291_af7f3a5261.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="IMGP7955"></a>

[juanny]

don't think my linked worked. sorry first time doing this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61493148@N05/5791970197/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61493148@N05/5791970291/

[ricktas]

Juanny. Flickr have very specific rules regarding linking from them to other sites. please read this : http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showlibrary.php?title=How_Do_I:Flickr_:_How_to_link_photos_into_Ausphotography

[juanny]

Sorry. I did read this but missed the BB Code and posted the HTML instead. Thanks for pointing out.

[Nikkie]

I hope its not to late to do this challenge Im new to the forum and and new to DSLR as well but seen this and thought this could be fun anyway I just hope im doing it right
f22 ISO 200
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/th_f22ISO200.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/?action=view&current=f22ISO200.jpg)
f22 ISO 3200
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/th_f22ISO3200.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/?action=view&current=f22ISO3200.jpg)

[Nikkie]

I hope its not to late to do this challenge Im new to the forum and and new to DSLR as well but seen this and thought this could be fun anyway I just hope im doing it right
f22 ISO 200
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/th_f22ISO200.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/?action=view&current=f22ISO200.jpg) Sorry I posted first time image was too big now they are too small
f22 ISO 3200
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/th_f22ISO3200.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Gerty1/Aussie%20Photography%20forum/?action=view&current=f22ISO3200.jpg)

[ricktas]

Nikkie you need to upload them at a size of around 1000 pixels on the longest side to photobucket, and then link them in. Also, this challenge is not about just posting your results. You are supposed to tell us what you learnt from the exercise. What effect did changing the ISO have on the photo, and other camera settings, like shutter speed, and why you think this happened etc.

[Nikkie]

I'm very sorry about that ricktas I will remember to resize from now on I seem to have a lot of trouble with M setting on my camera for some reason it took me a few goes to the ISO 3200 to take any type of photos I was not sure if you were allowed to use a flash but I got it in the long run I can see that the ISO is darker almost turning day into night but I think the challenge idea is great and good fun it will give me something to keep trying thank you

[mandab99]

Hiya...just reading through this post. I was wondering since the first couple of photos had the same result of being slightly brighter the higer the ISO how come the last example from NIkkie was the opposite? Is it because the shutter speed was faster in Nikkie's ???

[ricktas]

Hiya...just reading through this post. I was wondering since the first couple of photos had the same result of being slightly brighter the higer the ISO how come the last example from NIkkie was the opposite? Is it because the shutter speed was faster in Nikkie's ???

LIGHT. Everything you do in photography is about Light, the amount of it and the quality of it. The two members photos you mention were taken under very different lighting conditions.

[Tengu]

cfm: I have found that in manual mode my D60 has a couple of hidden (faster) ways to adjust Shutter, Aperture and ISO, you just need to read the manual to figure them out (rather than the long windy way through the menus - which also bumps your camera a lot more)!

When I was out at Uluru getting some star shots I learned a LOT about ISO
The high ISO (D60 goes to 1600 or 3200 in Hi mode) produced way too much noise and the black sky really wasnt black - well its not black anyway - but the contrast just went downhill
So I dropped to 800 ISO and doubled the exposure time to around 2 minutes and got much better results, with less noise, better contrast and star colour, however then you start to get star trails...

[Nikkie]

Hiya...just reading through this post. I was wondering since the first couple of photos had the same result of being slightly brighter the higer the ISO how come the last example from NIkkie was the opposite? Is it because the shutter speed was faster in Nikkie's ??? thanks for asking I was wondering the same thing even tho there was only a couple of minutes between the two it was that type of day sunny one minute and cloudy the next so I think that is why as I did not do them one right after the other but it was only a few minutes in between from sunny to cloudy but not much in time only a few minutes it was not like I did one at 1 PM and the other at 4 PM

[ricktas]

thanks for asking I was wondering the same thing even tho there was only a couple of minutes between the two it was that type of day sunny one minute and cloudy the next so I think that is why as I did not do them one right after the other but it was only a few minutes in between from sunny to cloudy but not much in time only a few minutes it was not like I did one at 1 PM and the other at 4 PM

So as per the challenge, when you took them, what did your learn about changing the ISO. You left your aperture at f22 but what happened to the shuuter speed (which if you set your camera up as asked in the challenge) should have done something, what did it do?

[Nikkie]

The shutter speed was slower when I took the 2nd photo

[ricktas]

The shutter speed was slower when I took the 2nd photo

Umm, if the shutter speed was slower with the higher ISO shot, then you did not have your camera setup as advised in the challenge.

[Nikkie]

oh ok Rick just so I can be sure I understood the challenge correctly I ll explain what happened. First so I have it 100% clear in my own head when you said set your camera to aperture I thought that meant (A) on the dial ? and when you said go to Manual I took that to be (M) on the dial ? when you said ISO I took that to be setting ISO setting in the camera menu itself ? The first photo I took the brighter of the ( 2) to me the shutter seemed to go off faster and when I took the 2nd photo the darker of the 2 I had a lot of trouble getting any photos at all I was just seeing black screen It took 3 goes and on the 3rd go I held the shutter release button it went click held button down and then it went click quiet slow that was the 2nd button maybe I did not understand the challenge I would appreciate it if you could let me to do this challenge again as I feel its the only way to learn and I am very keen to learn it might just take me longer to get it but will get it in the long way. Thank you. Nikkie

[ricktas]

NO I said go to A mode and "manual ISO" mode. Some cameras have an 'auto ISO' mode.


So we would like you to set your camera to Aperture mode, and set it to the smallest aperture you can. Usually f22 (remember the larger the number the smaller the actual aperture). Now make sure your camera is in manual ISO mode (refer to your camera manual in need).

So you need to be in A mode on the dial and manual ISO mode (usually through your LCD menu), the "manual ISO" mode stops your camera changing the ISO automatically if your camera has an 'Auto ISO' mode. Some camera's have it, some don't (check your manual).

[Nikkie]

I will cheek my manual and try again if you don't mind me giving this another try thank you so very much

[ricktas]

I will cheek my manual and try again if you don't mind me giving this another try thank you so very much

of course you can, the NTP library and forum are about learning, how can you learn if you don't make mistakes and understand why, and have another go.

[Nikkie]

Ok I have tried again I have been trying to learn but it takes me a little longer to learn that is the way I am I guess. but anyway here are my results I hope I am starting to understand this a little better the larger the f number is the smaller the aperture is ? I used f 36 because I have it that small

ISO 100

73599

ISO 3200

73600

ISO Hi 1

73601

ISO Hi 2

73602


What I learned was that ISO 100 was slower shutter speed and the higher the ISO got the faster the shutter speed is I also found on f 36 the lower the ISO the less noise and more colour the higher the ISO there is more noise and less colour. Too me the ISO 100 slower shutter speed gave better results. I did Hi 1 and Hi 2 because my camera has but it seemed to be much faster with poor results in f 36. I am trying to learn like I said it just takes longer for thing written to sink in LoL love it here tho ever body is so nice and helpful

[Fedgrub]

73866
ISO 200 f/22

73867
ISO 400 f/22

What I noticed is that the lower the ISO, the longer the shutter remained open for (causing the major camera shake). It actually stayed open a lot longer than I thought it would. The camera shake makes it quite hard to analyse in terms of colours.

[Lucky23]

Hi guys,

Thought i'd the challenge a go.

f/25, ISO-100, Exposure time = 30sec.
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv323/Lucky2386/IMG_0039.jpg
First thing i noticed was the really slow shutter speed.

f/25, ISO-3200, Exposure time = 3.2sec.
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv323/Lucky2386/IMG_0040.jpg
After increasing the ISO the shutter speed became much quicker. Also, i kept the exact same lighting as the previous photo, but it looks as if the light switch was turn on in this photo. Very interesting to note, as it was my initial understanding that the quicker the shutter speed the less light would hit the sensor. I'm still not too cluey on the technical side of things, but i'm assuming this was due to the increased ISO making the sensor more sensitive to the light (wow i'm sure someone could probably explain that a bit better).

f/25, ISO-6400, Exposure time = 1.6sec.
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv323/Lucky2386/IMG_0041.jpg
To me this photo seemed the same in terms of lighting as the 2nd photo, but i did notice a lot of noise on the black of the headphones.

After going through this challenge i've learnt that increasing the ISO:
- can help brighten up a photo when in low light conditions
- can increase the shutter speed
- creates noise in the dark colours of a photo

Thanks,

[ricktas]

well done Lucky. You have taken the challenge on board and used it to find out what increasing the ISO does, and you have absorbed all the details of each photo and gained an insight into how ISO fits into your photo taking. By remembering that increasing the ISO, increases the shutter speed, you will know what to do, if on a dull day, you cant get a good exposure that freezes action, cause of a lack of light.

[WarChild]

Thanx i thought this was a great little challenge, had a play around with couple of different subjects but these 2 shots i thought were the most intresting showing the difference in the iso settings

F/36 1/60s shutter

ISO 100
77368

ISO 6400
77369

Going back and looking at old photo I have never played with the ISO setting before. Now i can understand why i would be over or under exposing photos.
So once again thank you for this challenge.