Stop taking photos at the WRONG ISO!

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My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. This video will show you how to get out of being stuck at ISO 100 and try higher ISOs.

I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:

Music in intro: "Nicer", by Houses on the Hill. Find that, and other sound effects at Epidemic Sounds

My equipment:

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[keiththompson]

I used to be one of those guys that would only shoot at extremely low ISO's. But I missed so many wildlife shots that I knew I had to try something different. So I tried shooting at manual with auto ISO. It was a game-changer. I was surprised to how well those shots shot at 3200, even 6400, cleaned up. I am no longer afraid of high ISO. When I can use base ISO I do. But by loosing my fear of high ISO, I am a much better photographer.

[adamproulx]

Simon is an actual goat in the photography world. He explains things in such a clear way and is insanely humble for the level of work he’s done. Thanks Simon.

[kellyhatphoto]

I am an electrical engineer working on electronics for spacecraft cameras. I am also a photographer. Simon knows what he is talking about. Great advice and good explanations!

[foto-spective]

It's not that other pros don't know what you do, it's the fact that you explain it in a way we all can understand. I think it's safe to say that all of us beginners appreciate your videos tremendously. Thank you for all your hard work, and creating these wonderfully helpful videos! 🙏

[markkelly]

I love photography, but I do not earn a living from it. I have to work a regular job and then try to find time to learn and practice the art of photography. Since you do this full time I’ll always listen to you and not the comments made by others. Thank you for the explanation about ISO.

[AetherScout]

Easily the best photography channel on YouTube that I have come across...

[j-md-be]

Another high signal to noise ratio video! Wildlife photography is about opportunity and the available lighting is what it is. Ignore the iso-phobists who would have you think that ISO is more important than the opportunity. Thank you Simon for being so knowledgeable and practical.

[johnc]

Freeeedom! You have released photographers out of "ISO Prison." Back in "analog days, " you chose a film at a certain ISO (or ASA) because of the shooting conditions you expected to encounter. If you needed to compensate for low light, you chose a film with a higher ASA (or ISO), and vice versa. You generally had more ISO range options with black and white film. If the light you encountered didn't match your expectations, you could often end up in trouble. I "solved" this issue by sticking to ISO 400 Tri-X film and keeping a couple of neutral density filters ready if the light was really bright (yeah, grain could be an issue, but not if you weren't shooting wall-sized prints, and photos earmarked for publication would be screened anyway, so it didn't really matter at all!). Color film -- the Kodachrome or Ektachrome slide films I used -- had by today's standards, very low ISO ratings. Modern digital cameras have set us free, but we didn't even know it. Thank you for this outstanding "master key to the cellblock." We won't tell the prison warden. Ssshhh everyone! 😎

[GameLikeYouMeanIt]

Low ISO at all costs is a massive myth. I've said it before. Simon has improved my photography so much with these videos. I never hear people talk about this type of thing in such comprehensible depth. My photos are way better nowadays. Always worth a watch

[davidsaad]

Since the late 70s, I must have exposed tens of thousands of rolls of slide and b&w film under all kinds of conditions, over many genre of photography. Never used any digital technology(including scanning) until taking the plunge a few years back with an iso invariant Fujifilm camera. All of a sudden, variables I had little or no control over, I now have creative freedom and technical means to capture images never possible as my minds eye saw them at the time. Your willingness to share your considerable expertise in such an understandable way keeps a beginner like me glued to your channel. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[KriscoLynn]

I’ve never done photography and just started learning. I had also heard the same quote, “shoot at the lowest ISO”Within two days of chasing bird’s eyes in the viewfinder and trying to perfect sharp images, it immediately became apparent that higher ISO values where needed and improved my images! These are real world facts.

[Kayahdog]

As usual, you present very concise and analytic explanations, that if understood by the viewer, can help them better understand the process of capturing images. That’s not to say it steers or limits the creative process, but gives one a better chance for success given the complex technical aspects of digital photography. Well done.

[Sven-R]

Thanks Simon, the last video and this one as well are real eye-openers. It’s better let to the camera use ISO to compensate for lack of light than underexpose and try fixing it in post. If the high ISO photo is noisy, the underexposed photo with lower ISO will suffer even more from it. I have fallen into that trap way too often.

Also: There is a too strong emphasis on image quality rather than quality images (and yes, I have stolen this from James Popsys).

[JesseRedmanBand]

I became a professional photographer in 1969. I have spent much of the time since in and out of the business, returning recently as my career.

Your detailed explanation is great and covers the subject thoroughly. I learned several new facts. Thank you for delving so deeply into the subject!

[jackq]

Totally agree. I find it helpful to think of aperture and shutter speed as “controls”, while ISO is an “indicator”. You set the first two as needed to capture the shot, and use ISO (or auto ISO) to enable the desired exposure. If you need a high ISO, that’s an “indicator” that you’re light-starved.

[robertleem]

Another superb video, many thanks.
I visited Norfolk last week to shoot random churches and put your suggestions to use. Many instances shooting at ISO 400 to 800, my photos came out very clear in dull conditions

[Michael-fwef]

I still can't believe how good a teacher you are - your knowledge and easy way of describing complex material is beyond amazing.

[hosmanadam]

The raindrop analogy was pure gold, not to be forgotten. Thanks a lot.

[reheapification]

Totally did not expect physics and electrical engineer lessons here. I love your channel.

Edit: also the bonus tip deserves a video on its own.

[DrLoneyDal]

Bullseye! Bravo! Best comment of the video: “Let the photographer control the camera, not the camera control the photographer!” Just so much common sense in these two great videos on ISO myths. The images tell the truth. Well done Simon!