When it comes to photography, manual mode is like having the keys to a sports car. You get to control everything – the shutter speed, the aperture, and the ISO. It’s all about having that creative freedom to capture the shot exactly how you envision it. But then there’s auto ISO, which is like handing over some of that control to your camera. Now, while auto ISO may have its place, it may not be your best friend when you’re shooting in manual mode.
The Essence of Manual Mode
First off, let’s talk about what manual mode is all about. When you switch your camera to manual mode, you’re telling it, “Hey, I’ve got this.” You decide how much light hits the sensor (aperture), how long the sensor is exposed to light (shutter speed), and how sensitive the sensor is to light (ISO). It’s a balancing act, and getting it right can make your photos look ‘woo-hoo!’ instead of plain ol’ nice.
The Role of ISO
ISO is one of the three pillars of photography, along with aperture and shutter speed. It controls the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor to light. A low ISO (like 100 or 200) is great for bright conditions and gives you the best image quality. A high ISO (like 1600 or 3200 or more) is useful in low light but can introduce noise or grain into your photos: It’s a bit like chuckin’ a handful of sand at your finished image.
Is their a Problem with Auto ISO?
Auto ISO is a feature that lets your camera automatically adjust the ISO based on the lighting conditions. Sounds great, right? Well, it can be (he says with a deep breath), but when you’re in manual mode, it can throw a very large spanner in your creative process. Why?…
- Loss of Control
The whole point of shooting in manual mode is to have complete control over your exposure settings. When you use auto ISO, you’re giving up some of that control. Your camera might choose an ISO that you wouldn’t have picked, which can affect the look and feel of your photo. For instance, you might want a low ISO to keep your image clean and noise-free, but your camera might bump up the ISO to compensate for low light, introducing unwanted noise. - Inconsistent Results
Auto ISO can lead to inconsistent results, especially in changing lighting conditions. Imagine you’re shooting a series of photos in a setting where the light is constantly changing, like at some event or at sunset. With auto ISO, your camera might adjust the ISO differently for each shot, leading to variations in exposure and noise levels. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to maintain a certain look or feel across your photos. Unless you enjoy playing photo roulette and saying a few Hail Marys to get things right! - Compromised Creative Decisions
Photography is as much about the decisions you make as it is about the final image. When you choose your ISO, you’re making a creative decision about how you want your photo to look. Do you want a clean, noise-free image? Go for a low ISO. Do you want to capture a moment in low light without a flash? You might need to bump up the ISO. With auto ISO, your camera is making these decisions for you, which can compromise your creative vision. - Exposure Triangle Balance
The exposure triangle – aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – is all about balance. When you adjust one element, you often need to adjust the others to maintain the correct exposure. In manual mode, you have the freedom to tweak each setting to get the perfect balance. With auto ISO, your camera is constantly adjusting one part of the triangle, which can make it harder to achieve the balance you’re looking for.
Can Auto ISO Can Be Useful?
Now, don’t get me wrong – auto ISO isn’t all bad – but it’s not far off. Maybe there are times when it can be useful, even in manual mode: It can also be helpful for beginners who are still getting the hang of manual mode and want a bit of assistance.. and perhaps, if you’re shooting fast-moving subjects in changing light conditions, like at a sports event… auto ISO may help you keep up with the action without having to constantly adjust your settings.
Finding a Middle Ground
You might well think that there’s a middle ground but I ain’t goin’ there folks in this post. That’s up to you. It’s not a cop-out. I just think it’s a yea or nay thing. Your call.
Conclusion
If you value complete control and consistency, then stick with full-on manual ISO. It’ll probably cause you a few problems at first but if you stick with it I guarantee you’ll be rockin’. And so will your images.
Part of photography is about finding what works for you. So, don’t be a scaredy cat… try different settings and see how they affect your final images. The more you practice, the more you’ll understand how each element of the exposure triangle works together, and the better your photos will be.
So, next time you’re out shooting, give manual ISO a try and see how it feels. You might find that you enjoy having that extra bit of control over your images. Don’t drive a sports car in automatic!
Happy snappin’ folks
Meter The Light 