Learn more about how ISO works

Auto ISO is a great tool in your toolkit as a photographer, but it can also be both confusing, and a bit detrimental to your growth as a photographer.

The first problem is understanding when to use Auto ISO. The answer to that hinges on understanding what Auto ISO is and how it works. Not just in general, but also how Auto ISO works in manual mode, aperture priority, and shutter priority.

With Auto ISO engaged, the camera will automatically adjust the ISO setting to bring your exposure back to an exposure value of 0 (0 EV). As a tool it’s great because it’s another way to give some control back to the camera while maintaining the level of control that you want over your Aperture and Shutter Speed.

But where it’s detrimental is in learning. If you’re not well versed in how your camera works and how to shoot in manual mode, then using Auto ISO can impede your ability to learn by allowing the camera to change an important setting without you paying much attention to it.

However, it can also be a great tool for learning. The key is understanding what it does and paying attention to the cause and effect of the settings you change and how that forces the camera to respond in kind.