Tog-Talk
Photographers in conversation: Essential guidance for new photographers on technique and artistic growth. That’s what ‘Tog Talk’ is all about—bringing photographers together to share insights and elevate their craft.
Tog-Talk is the home of UK professional photographer, Kevin Ahronson (Founder of Hampshire School of Photography). Every two weeks he is joined by one of his ex-students (now turned professional photographer) Kelly Perrin, where they'll dive deep into topics that matter to beginners, from mastering your camera settings to developing your unique style.
On alternating weeks, Kevin will dedicate the episode to answering listener questions, providing personalised advice to help you overcome challenges and grow as a photographer. Whether you’re struggling with exposure, landscape photography, street photography, photographing people, portraits and families, macro photography, flash photography, learning about editing with Photoshop or Lightroom, seeking composition tips, or exploring creative ideas, Tog Talk is your go-to resource for learning and inspiration.
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Tog-Talk
Photography Basics Pt.4 What is ISO?
So now we're looking at the third piece of the puzzle, of what is traditionally referred to as the Exposure Triangle.
When you combine the three elements of the Exposure Triangle, they interact with each other in what's often referred to as the law of reciprocity.
This reciprocating relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO allows us to take control of the light coming into the camera - and we chose which of the three elements will take priority, which side effects will dominate and which do not.
What actually is ISO?
I meet very few photographers who fully understand what ISO is. I meet even fewer who know what the initials ISO stand for.
ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organisation that looks after thousands of standards worldwide. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Organization for Standardization controls over 24,000 standards (at the time of writing) from health and the environment, to electrical engineering and telecommunications, and of course... photography.
Its range of influence on world standards is huge and from our perspective, any camera manufacturer, wishing to produce a new camera sensor, has to follow ISO's guidelines to comply with international standards.
Photography has a number of standards controlled by ISO, but perhaps ISO12232:2019 is the one we're most interested in today.
It specifies:
'the method for assigning and reporting ISO speed ratings, ISO speed latitude ratings, standard output sensitivity values, and recommended exposure index values, for digital still cameras. It is applicable to both monochrome and colour digital still cameras'
Back to our cameras
ISO replaced the old film-speed rating ASA (American Standards Association) around 1987. Back in the day, you would buy a roll of film which had a fixed speed rating (eg. ASA100, ASA200, or ASA400) and you were locked into that rating.
Come the arrival of digital cameras, we found that we were able to change that speed rating (or ISO) to virtually whatever we wanted, and a whole new era of flexible exposure control began.
This week's Tog-Talk is quite a short one, but I think you will find it interesting.
If you have any questions, write to me at: info@goh
Got a Photography Question?
If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/
Photographer's Evening
Want to attend one of my free Photographer's Evenings? These are small groups of up to 8 people, sat around a table with me, exploring your photography journey. If you live near Fleet (in Hampshire), click here for more information:
https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com/a-photographers-evening/
Looking for courses
Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:
https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com
Hampshire Photography Network
A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144
Contact me
You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/
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