Stop being afraid to shoot at high ISO

You’ve probably heard it a million times. “Keep your ISO as low as possible for the best image quality”. But does this rule still apply? It stems from the days of early digital cameras and film. Back then, high ISO settings often resulted in unbearable noise or grain.

This led to a preference for lower settings to maintain image quality. But is it truly the best advice? In this video, nature and wildlife photographer Simon d’Entremont debunks this common myth. He explains how higher ISOs can improve your photography.

The Misconception Around ISO

Many photographers think that high ISO always causes noise, but that’s not true. The real problem is underexposure. Noise happens when your camera doesn’t get enough light.

ISO brightens your photo looks by amplifying the light your camera captures. If there isn’t much light to start with, you’ll see more noise. Simon explains this with two photos: one taken at ISO 12800 and properly exposed, and another underexposed at ISO 1600, then brightened later. The first photo is cleaner, even though it was shot at a higher ISO. His advice? Always aim for proper exposure, even if it means raising the ISO.

Of course, there are things like ISO invariance to consider. But that’s a topic for a different post.

When Low ISO Works

Low ISO works best when you have plenty of light and no subject movement. These conditions are common in controlled environments like studio shoots or product photography. Using a low ISO ensures clean, sharp images with no noticeable noise.

Styles like light painting also benefit from controlled setups. A low ISO setting keeps your images clean and noise-free, which is vital in well-lit or stable conditions.

The Case for Higher ISO

In dynamic environments, a higher ISO is often essential. For instance:

• Freezing Action: Fast-moving subjects like wildlife need quick shutter speeds. Higher ISO keeps your photos bright enough.
• Low-Light Conditions: Shooting indoors, during early mornings, or in shaded areas often demands higher ISO. This prevents motion blur or underexposed images.
• Wildlife Photography: Simon highlights that wildlife photography frequently requires high ISOs. These are essential to capture moving subjects in low light. He shares an example of an owl shot at ISO 12800. A slightly noisy but sharp image is far preferable to a blurry one.

Tips for Managing High ISO

• Avoid Over-Cropping: Composing your shots to minimise cropping will help prevent magnifying noise.
• Use Noise Reduction Software: Tools like Topaz or Lightroom can clean up noise without sacrificing detail.
• Don’t Underexpose: Underexposing to keep ISO low often leads to worse noise when brightened in post.
• Try Auto ISO: Shooting in manual mode with auto ISO allows you to control shutter speed and aperture. The camera then optimises ISO for proper exposure.

High ISO is a powerful tool, not an adversary. By understanding its role and learning to use it effectively, photographers can unlock new creative possibilities. Simon’s advice reminds us that technical settings should serve the art, not the other way around.

So, next time you’re out with your camera, don’t hesitate to use a higher ISO if needed. It’s all about capturing the shot you want.

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