Auto ISO
Paul Malley • 4 April 2022
A very useful feature on most cameras nowadays is Auto-ISO. As competent Photographers, we have come to know the importance of ISO, alongside Shutter Speed and Aperture in the infamous 'Exposure Triangle', whereby a variance in one of the three interlinked functions, requires a change to another, in determining or maintaining what the camera sees as a correct exposure.
I like to use Aperture priority in my Wildlife work, to afford the correct depth of field for the subject. Often, in wildlife, (much as in sport and action work), the subject is fast moving (a diving bird, a running athlete etc). Not really much of a problem, as we could set a wide aperture and maintain a fast shutter speed by introducing a higher ISO; but why do that manually? What happens if the bird, runner, or subject enters changing light situations, as the sun appears or disappears?
For me, this is where Auto-ISO comes in. It is often located in the menu, or below the Native ISO reading on the camera. By simply selecting Auto-ISO, I can maintain a wide Aperture and a fast shutter speed and let the camera change the ISO as the situation demands. It has become a fundamental set-up in my workflow on site; I can even set a 'range' of the Auto-ISO, which the camera will maintain to ensure correct exposure, without making any change to Aperture or Shutter Speed (usually between 200-6400). Simply put, having confidence in the camera's metering ability, ISO handling capability and speed of operation, means I can concentrate on the action, instead of attempting to change values. It also gives consistency in a shutter speed, for action (or my elusive swooping birds).
As well as knowing when, to use Auto-ISO, like all things in photography, there is a compromise, hence there are times when NOT to use it. When working in a studio, or in a lighting-controlled environment, you have the time and ability to 'lock' the ISO and remove the need for any change. I do not use Auto-ISO in Manual mode, as I often apply + or - exposure compensation, and the Auto-ISO would trip in and attempt to correct or override my requirement. It is locked out by default in bracketing exposures, too, as it would operate to attempt to make each frame exposure correct.
It's fair to say that there are some wonderful technology features built into today's modern cameras. For me and my style of work, Auto-ISO is a step forward, but it should never lull anyone into having a firm grasp, understanding and knowledge of why and when to use it. At the end of the day, the Photographer 'sees' the image, the kit 'records' it.
I like to use Aperture priority in my Wildlife work, to afford the correct depth of field for the subject. Often, in wildlife, (much as in sport and action work), the subject is fast moving (a diving bird, a running athlete etc). Not really much of a problem, as we could set a wide aperture and maintain a fast shutter speed by introducing a higher ISO; but why do that manually? What happens if the bird, runner, or subject enters changing light situations, as the sun appears or disappears?
For me, this is where Auto-ISO comes in. It is often located in the menu, or below the Native ISO reading on the camera. By simply selecting Auto-ISO, I can maintain a wide Aperture and a fast shutter speed and let the camera change the ISO as the situation demands. It has become a fundamental set-up in my workflow on site; I can even set a 'range' of the Auto-ISO, which the camera will maintain to ensure correct exposure, without making any change to Aperture or Shutter Speed (usually between 200-6400). Simply put, having confidence in the camera's metering ability, ISO handling capability and speed of operation, means I can concentrate on the action, instead of attempting to change values. It also gives consistency in a shutter speed, for action (or my elusive swooping birds).
As well as knowing when, to use Auto-ISO, like all things in photography, there is a compromise, hence there are times when NOT to use it. When working in a studio, or in a lighting-controlled environment, you have the time and ability to 'lock' the ISO and remove the need for any change. I do not use Auto-ISO in Manual mode, as I often apply + or - exposure compensation, and the Auto-ISO would trip in and attempt to correct or override my requirement. It is locked out by default in bracketing exposures, too, as it would operate to attempt to make each frame exposure correct.
It's fair to say that there are some wonderful technology features built into today's modern cameras. For me and my style of work, Auto-ISO is a step forward, but it should never lull anyone into having a firm grasp, understanding and knowledge of why and when to use it. At the end of the day, the Photographer 'sees' the image, the kit 'records' it.
Merciless
Photo By: Paul Malley
Cadwell Wheelie
Photo By: Paul Malley
Louth Photographic Society
It was no April fools, when we held our PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition last night. The images submitted into this competition were off the highest quality. Dave Turner judged the Open category, which I think is always one of the hardest categories to judge, pitting landscapes, against nature, and still life, but Dave did a magnificent job, offering well founded critique of the images submitted. After the break, Steve Chapman judged the Local Nature category, (nature images taken within a 25 mile radius of St. James' church, Louth) Steve "held back" 10 out of the 18 submitted images, and gave those 10 images very careful consideration until he finally arrived at the 3 highest placed images. Steve commented that the submitted images were indeed of high quality, and he took his time to evaluate the submitted images and offered useful critique on each one. The competition made for a very interesting evening, and all members deserve praise for the quality of the submitted images. The website Competition page has been updated with the full results, and the top three images from each category. On this post is 1st placed Sedge Warbler, Cleethorpes by Tony Gaskins, in the Local Nature category, and 1st placed Hudson Bay Wolf, (Lincoln Zoo) by Harry Kerman, in the Open category.
Good Morning, All, Last week at the club member Chris Birchmore gave a presentation on MPP cameras which included some of Chris's collection of cameras and prints taken. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. Thank you Chris for an interesting evening. This week, Wednesday 1st April, we are holding a local and open PDI competition the local subject being nature, please if you haven't already, send your entries to Harry before midnight tonight. Members Steve Chapman and Dave Turner have volunteered to judge. Also on the Wednesday 1st April our Louth Photographic Society 70th anniversary exhibition will be open to view at the Louth Museum. Regards Graham
Chris Birchmore gave an informative, and interesting talk and demonstration of his medium format film cameras. at the beginning of the evening Chris gave a potted history of the origins of the MPP cameras he was showing us. The cameras take a 5 x 4" film stock, and looking at the cameras it seems incredible that photographers in the recent past could take excellent photographs with these. The MPP cameras were often used by the British Armed Forcies during the Second World War, and throughout the 1950s, and 60s, and some of these medium format were still being manufactured in the 1970s. The prints that Chris showed taken with these cameras were of excellent quality, with an amazing depth of field. Many thanks Chris for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a committee meeting, which was very productive, we made the final arrangements for the exhibition, charity night, and studio evening as well as other items on the agenda. We are holding an Exhibition opening night at Louth Museum on Friday 17th April celebrating 70 years of Louth Photographic Society. There will be a small buffet and cold drinks available, if any member would like to donate a bottle of wine to the occasion please hand it to Harry at one of our club nights. This week, Wednesday 25th March, member Chris Birchmore will be giving us a presentation. The following week is a local competition, with the categoriess of "Local Nature" (up to 25 miles radius from St James church) and "Open" (unlimited mileage) please send your entries to Harry before midnight, Sunday 29th March. Members Steve Chapman will judge the Nature category, and Dave Turner the Open category. Regards Graham
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition judged by Martyn Wrigg, the standard of entries was very high and well done to Tony Gaskins for a first in the Architectural Detail and Derek Smith for his first place in the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 18th March we will be holding a Committee meeting, just committee members for this one. The following week Chris Birchmore is the speaker for the night. Harry is now accepting entries for the PDI local competition, with the categories of "Local Nature" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so if you would like to judge one of the subjects please let me know. Regards Graham
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A PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition was held last night with the categories of "Architectural Detail", and "Open". Martyn Wrigg was our judge for the evening, and he competently judged the submitted images, although he diid surprise with some of his choices of placing, but that's a judges perogative. Martyn complemented members on the quality of the images presented, which had made some of his decisions difficult. First placed was "It's a Fixer Upper" in the Architectural Detail section, and "Dervish Musician" in the Open section. Congratulations to Robin Begley, who as one of our newest members submitted some impressive images, achieving a 3rd place in "Architectural Details", and 2nd in the "Open" category. All the results are now posted to our website Competition page.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Steve Chapman gave us an insight into his life and especially his time at Ilam Park in Derbyshire photographing for the National Trust. Steve showed us many photographs he had taken of the people involved with the trust and the Peak District. The second half was dedicated to Steve's own work, some superb aircraft photography as well as many other subjects. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 11th March we are holding a PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail " and "Open" to be judged by Martyn Wrigg of Barton. The following week is a committee meeting for the committee members only on that evening. For newer members we have two committee meetings a year. Regards Graham
Last night Steve Chapman presented a selection of images from his archives. Steve had previously been a volunteer photographer for the National Trust, and he showed many photos from the Ilam Park Estate, Dovedale, it was interesting to see some of the "behind the scenes" photos. The Jacobite reenactment battle scenes were amazing, the uniforms showed great attention to detail, and there were some real characters among the reenactors. After the break Steve showed some of his general photography, he has a great photographic eye, as some of his photos showed with different colours, shapes, and leading lines. Steve has taken many photos of agricultural machinery, and risked life and limb to create some close up aircraft photos. For atmosphere, just look at these horseriders at the top of the hill on a cool early morning. For heartstopping imagery look at these children on the side of a building, the children are photos on the side of the building, however, Steve wasted no time in capturing this stunning image. Many thanks to Steve for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club I gave you a PDI (Projected Digital Image) presentation showing photographs I had taken on my travels last year, following up with some past and present photographs of Binbrook. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and maybe saw parts of England you hadn't seen before. This week, Wednesday 4th March, our member Steve Chapman will be showing us photographs he has taken. This is Steve's first time showing the club his work so will be a very good night. Harry is now accepting your PDI's for the next competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The closing date is Friday 6th March. Regards Graham
