What is ISO? ISO Has NOTHING To Do With Exposure!

What is ISO? How does camera ISO work? How does it affect exposure? This photography tutorial explains these concepts in simple to understand language. NOTE: ISO is a very complex topic. Some of the ISO exposure and light settings have been simplified for clarity.

🧰 Discounts on Services and Tools

📺 See These Videos!

🎬 Production Notes
Producer and Host: Chris Lee

❤️ Support this Channel:
If you wish to support the channel, there are two ways:
This is very much appreciated. All donations go toward the funding of future videos for this channel.

👥 Contact Info

PRODUCT REVIEW OR TO SEND SOMETHING:
pal2tech
1227 North Peachtree Parkway 165
Peachtree City, GA 30269
United States

NOTE: Product reviews are entirely independent. Some of my links have an affiliate code. If you purchase gear with these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

#photography #iso #camera

[paltech]

ISO is a complicated topic. Hope this helps. Feel free to share any ISO tips below.

[AndersRomin]

I never realized before that ISO is just like the input volume when recording audio. It doesn’t make the instrument play louder, it just amplifies the existing signal. 🤔 Thanks!

[nickle]

You are the Bill Nye of photography! I grew up learning science from Bill Nye and he has such a fun, easy, yet technical way of teaching. Your videos feel the same way and I can always feel your enthusiasm for the craft which I love. Thank you for all of the knowledge bombs you continuously drop!

[ChrysAureus]

... for us old timers it was all about "film sensitivity" ASA number (usually varying between 50 and 400 ASA) and you chose your film according to the expected light conditions of your shooting setup. Sometimes you could try "pushing up" your ASA into extreme territories like 1600 or 3200 for extra dark conditions but the price to pay was obvious graininess (noise) and less contrast. There was not much wiggling room for post production corrections if you missed the right exposure mix!

[AllanWallsPhotography]

While everything you say here is technically correct, most of my students are only concerned with the camera's inputs and outputs. From their perspective, the "effective exposure (actual exposure + ISO)" IS the actual exposure. So, heuristically, there is a real advantage to treating ISO "as if" it were a third exposure variable. The exposure triangle is just too good a teaching tool to ignore, at least early on. Excellent video! Thanks.

[lakegeneva]

That cracked me up! Digital to Analogue! Priceless and more importantly unforgettable!

[michelbehr]

This guy is a YT *star*, period. (The shaking of the ice cube thingy?? Getting all f* wet just to illustrate the concept?? I’m sorry, I’m not seeing ANYONE in YT going that far to explain anything…). Thank you, sir! BTW: I’ve been playing a bit more with my humble XT200 15-45mm, and your tips are definitely helping me learn more and more. Thanks again! Please keep up the good work!

[merkury]

As a film guy, this is the best clarification of ISO in digital photography I've seen. Thanks!

[tristanjaggi]

Thank you so much for all your work, I learn so much thanks to you.

[arvindeguzman]

your channel is the best in photography! i enjoy watching and learning from you!! keep it up pal2tech!

[yuriyork]

I LOVE how you explain ISO very creative, easy to understand and fun. People like you are natural teachers. I’m subscribing. Thank you

[blutac]

An excellent video as always. The wait for your return was worth it! Made a very dry subject amusing. Your humour is greatly appreciated. Your children must enjoy you explaining things to them with practical demonstrations like the ice tray! Love it!

[bobgriffiths]

I have just ordered a new X-T3 and am really appreciating you clear informative videos. I am learning things I have never been clear about reading other camera manuals over the years which are far too extensive and hard to understand. Many thanks. I look forward to ever new and very enjoyable video.

[vinchy]

Really love how you explain it slowly and detail. I'm not a native American. So I don't catch-up much with native speaker. Thank you so much.

[jessicahalls]

This is what I’ve been trying to find. I’m new to photography and have an XT4, I’ve really struggled with getting all the ‘pieces’ of the puzzle together and really over complicated it for myself as no-one has explained it like this.
Thanks so much, love your videos, they’ve been my go too since purchasing my camera!

[ssdattorney]

I had no idea that ISO was simply post exposure electrical amplification. The analogy to digital zoom is a great shorthand way to understand the concept. Thank you.

[michaelrivas]

This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I’m already subscribing. You are a fantastic teacher. I would have gone to college if at least one of my teachers was like you.

[carlosenriquez]

Just finished this awesome video it's good to see the information broken down in a usable way. I did one year of shooting where I set the iso at 400 and did not allow myself to move the iso. this one thing improved the quality of my photography by leaps and bounds. This method frees you to focus on composition lighting and motion capture. Liberating is the only way to describe it. I would recommend at least a few weeks of intensive shooting at a fixed iso it's a good look inward.
Thank you again for this helpful bit of information.

[YamanJoshi]

Exactly what I was looking for. Covered Everything possible. I am amazed that such information is free to get on this channel. Other than that, the intro this time was absolutely stunning BUT it was great to see you back with similar pattern of video again :D Great! Great! information.

[andriphirus]

Thanks for this video! You not only saved tons of my fotos, but also gave a good tip to save some old destroyed by electrical voltage. Greetings from Germany!