Using ISO in the Auto Mode {Basic DSLR Photography Tips}

Do you photograph in the Auto Mode?

I remember when I really started getting serious about photography, when I decided to properly learn how to use my DSLR camera and quite waiting for those lucky accident shots. I had to start slowly--one detail at a time and I started with learning the ISO feature while still shooting in fairly auto mode. I'll cover some basic details here if you are ready to take a step forward with your DSLR camera but still not ready to move completely out of the Auto Mode.

First take out your camera....

Now look at your Mode Dial and be sure you are on the Program Mode (the letter P) and not the Auto Mode ( green box or says Auto). The Program Mode gives you some control but the camera still takes care of a lot for you.

Now go into your ISO settings ( if you dont know how to do this look at your manual under ISO or google "how to change ISO on _____ and insert your camera model name").

Put the ISO setting on 100. Now prepare a sample subject, a bowl of fruit, flower, sleeping baby whatever is easiest. Take a photo.

Now go back into the ISO and increase the number to 200. Take the same photo.

Continue these steps increasing the ISO each time until you get to the highest number.

Now go back through your images on your display or computer and you will see that as the ISO number gets higher the sensor is more sensitive and therefore more light is available for your photo.

Try this a few times in various lighting situations and it will help you become familiar and comfortable with changing the ISO.

About the Artist:

Rita Lawrence is a professional baby photographer specializing in the season of newborn baby portraits to the one year old birthday milestone. Through her baby photography workshops she also teaches photographers how to start and run a profitable Baby's First Year business such as hers. Workshops are in a small group setting and offer a complete curriculum for business, hands-on session/model experience, and post-processing training in Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Check out the website HERE for more information on these baby photography workshops.