ISO for Surf Photography

Ben Pascoe

11 months ago

iso for surf photography

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Resources

I wouldn’t spend too much time on ISO, but here are some pages that go into detail about what it is, and how it affects your photos:

Wikipedia’s Film Speed page – all about the history of ISO
Introduction to ISO in photography – a more practical page, with examples, showing how the ISO affects photos

ISO for Surf Photography: How to Adjust the Sensitivity of Your Camera

ISO is the setting that determines how sensitive your camera’s sensor or film is to light. ISO is measured in numbers, such as 100, 200, or 1600. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive your camera is and the brighter your photo will be. The lower the ISO number, the less sensitive your camera is and the darker your photo will be.

But ISO also affects the quality of your photo, especially the amount of noise or grain that you will see in your image. Noise is the random specks or dots that appear in your photo, especially in the dark areas. The higher the ISO number, the more noise you will get in your photo. The lower the ISO number, the less noise you will get in your photo.

For surf photography, you usually want to have a low ISO number, such as 100 or 200, to get a clean and sharp image. However, sometimes you may need to use a higher ISO number, such as 800 or 1600, to get a brighter image in low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. However, you should be aware that using a higher ISO number will also increase the noise in your photo, which may affect the look and feel of your image.

To set the ISO on your camera, you can use the auto ISO mode or the manual ISO mode. The auto ISO mode lets the camera choose the ISO for you based on the lighting conditions and the other settings you have selected. The manual ISO mode lets you choose the ISO yourself using the dial or the buttons on your camera. For example, on the Sony A6500, you can use the dial on the back of the camera to change the ISO.

The auto ISO mode is a good option for beginners or for situations where the lighting conditions change quickly and unpredictably. The auto ISO mode gives the camera the flexibility to adjust the ISO for you and get the correct exposure for your photo. However, the auto ISO mode may also choose a higher ISO number than you want and introduce more noise in your photo.

The manual ISO mode is a good option for advanced users or for situations where you have more control over the lighting conditions and the creative aspects of your photo. The manual ISO mode gives you the freedom to choose the ISO yourself and get the desired effect for your photo. However, the manual ISO mode may also require you to adjust the other settings, such as the shutter speed and the aperture, to balance the exposure.

ISO is one of the most important settings for surf photography. It can affect the brightness and the quality of your photo. By using a low ISO number, you can get a clean and sharp image. By using a high ISO number, you can get a brighter image but also more noise. You can use the auto ISO mode or the manual ISO mode to control the ISO on your camera. Experiment with different ISO numbers and see what works best for you. Happy shooting!

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