When we set up our menus in our camera, one of the items is ISO. This is in effect, the same as when we used to buy film and we purchased an ISO (or for you really "OLD" photographers, ASA rating), of 100, or 400, or even 800 speed film. If we know we were going to be inside, we purchased ISO 400 speed film. If it was a sunny day, we purchased ISO 100 speed film. It really isn't much different today. If we know we are going to be inside, we may have to change our digital film, (so to speak), to an ISO of 400. Most point and shoot cameras have an "Auto" setting which helps us, by letting the camera be the smarty pants in the family. We just let the camera decide what it wants to do. The SLR cameras, usually have to have the ISO set for the situation of the ambient light that is available in our scene. You need to check your own camera settings. So, what is the big deal, you ask? Well, if you wish to be sure of a situation, you may want to physically set your ISO to a higher setting. If you were in a building that did not allow flash, you may want to set your ISO up to 400 so you can take a picture with the ambient light that is available. If you were going to take pictures of the grand kids playing a sport, we would need a faster speed ISO so the pictures wouldn't come out blurry. One must also realize, that the higher we set the ISO number the more digital noise we can expect in a picture. O.k.... O.K.... What is digital noise? Digital noise is similar to grain in film. The best suggestion I can give you is to set your camera on higher ISO, say to 400 or even 800 if your camera supports this ISO and try it in the house and see what it looks like. It doesn't cost you anything. You can take all the pictures you want and it is free. Just look at them on the computer, you don't need to print them unless you want to. The main idea here is to give yourself some exposure, (like that pun ?) to what is available to you and your camera. If you are not sure about all this, ask questions. That is what the club is all about. Help for YOU!!
As a starting base, ISO 100- Great for sunny days or at the beach or in the snow, (yuk). ISO 200-Great for overcast days.
ISO 400- Great for lower light situations, sport scenes, moving objects. Just remember at 400 or 800, you can get digital noise, especially in dark areas of your photo. Good luck and start playing with that camera!!
Ron Stein