What Is ISO in Photography?

Understanding ISO Settings

In photography, ISO refers to your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO values mean less sensitivity, suitable for bright conditions. Higher ISO makes your camera more sensitive, helping when it’s dark but can lead to more visual noise.

High ISO vs Low ISO

Using a low ISO like 100 or 200 gives the cleanest image with minimal grain. A high ISO such as 1600 or above is useful in low-light, but images may appear grainy or less sharp. Finding the right ISO is about balancing light capture with image quality.

ISO and Exposure

Exposure is a combination of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Changing the ISO setting affects how bright or dark your photo is. Beginners should experiment with ISO to learn how it impacts your images in different lighting conditions.