This video lesson is extracted from the Blurry to Tack-Sharp Photos: 4-Step System. More details can be found at https://www.smartphonephotographytraining.com/blurry-to-tack-sharp-photos

ISO and shutter speed manual controls can be increased/decreased to brighten or darken a photo. Each has pros and cons for increasing and decreasing. The goal when changing these settings is to balance these trade-offs to capture a sharp, detailed and vibrant image.

ISO was the 'standard' measurement of photographic film sensitivity to light (film speed). The speed of the film was referenced by its ISO number. The higher the number, the more sensitive it was to light to capture more usable images in low-light.

In a nutshell, ISO means equal (standard) not an acronym for the organisation - it would have been IOS!

ISO is NOT sensor sensitivity!

ISO speed transferred to digital photography and referred to as 'sensor sensitivity. The function of ISO in digital photography is applied gain. The function of ISO in digital photography is applied gain.

Gain signifies the increase/decrease in the image's brightness after capture.

As we take a photo, light enters the lens and every pixel measures the intensity of light by counting the number of photons reaching the pixel. The charge of the photons changes the voltage in each pixel; the voltage values are recorded by the camera. The RAW data is a collection of recorded voltage values from all 12 million pixels. The amplification of the signal happens after the data is collected by applying the 'gain'. Digital cameras, including smartphones, should be using the term Gain not ISO!

All data recorded in your smartphone is actually at the lowest ISO setting (the latest iPhone is 32). For simplicity, let's say it is 100 and you captured an image at an ISO setting of 200. When the image is recorded, the gain is applied to boost the brightness by a factor of two.

As you increase ISO, it is at the gradual cost of details, sharpness, and dynamic range. The higher the amplification, the more noise and grain (that speckled look) appear.

In a nutshell, ISO adds brightness!

What is shutter speed? Shutter speed is responsible for two things: changing the brightness of your photo, and either freezing action or blurring motion.

The longer the shutter remains open and allows light to reach the sensor the more opportunity for both motion blur and camera shake.

Practical tips If you are shooting in manual mode to capture a sharp, detailed image, you should only raise your ISO when your shutter setting creates motion blur.

This video lesson is extracted from the Blurry to Tack-Sharp Photos: 4-Step System. More details on the system can be found here

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- Mike

Read the full article at https://www.smartphonephotographytraining.com/capturing-photos/iso-and-shutter

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