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This tutorial takes a deep dive into the practical aspects of ISO, one pillar of the familiar Exposure Triangle (the other two being aperture and shutter speed). In less than 11 minutes you’ll gain a firm understanding of this essential setting and learn how to apply it when shooting different types of images under various lighting conditions.

The video begins with this claim by a successful Australian pro: “Understanding ISO and knowing when and how to adjust it can make the difference between getting the shot and ending up with a complete dud.” This is especially true when shooting in the field under challenging light,

Instructor Ben Fewtrell says he’s passionate about landscape photography and helping other shooters increate their odds of success. In this episode he demonstrates why the ISO setting you choose not only affects exposure but plays an important role in image quality as well. You’ll also learn techniques for reducing noise and achieving sharp photos in low light.

Methods for balancing ISO with aperture and shutter speed are also part of the discussion. You can download a free and very useful Camera-Settings Checklist by visiting Fewtrell’s website at the address he provides.

Fewtrell has enjoyed a long and fruitful career, and he places ISO in historical context dating back to the heyday of film photography when we simply set ISO (or ASA) to match the specific film in use. “So if I was shooting sports I’d grab an ISO 400 film, but If I was shooting other images in bright sun ISO 200 would often be my choice.” On the other hand, when his goal was “being “artsy, 800-speed b&w film was often his go-to option.

Of course things have changed dramatically in our era of digital photography, and that’s the emphasis of this particular video. Fewtrell provides several practical examples, along with important shooting techniques for manipulating ISO settings on your DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Experimentation is often the key to mastering a new approach to shooting, and Fewtrell suggests a few ways to practice the benefits of setting ISO in different ways that will greatly expand your understanding and help you capture more compelling photographs. So how about making this approach your weekend assignment?

If landscape photography is one of your prime interests we strongly recommend that you check out the how-to videos on Fewtrell’s popular YouTube channel.

And don’t miss the recent tutorial we featured with another accomplished pro who explains how to capture dramatic b&w photographs on the street with an attention-grabbing minimalist look.

Earlier this month we discussed five ways to boost autofocus with whatever gear you own. Today’s tutorial from Great Big Photography World (GBPW) takes a look at one specific camera setting that will deliver the best possible results in a  variety of situations.

GBPW is a popular online community of enthusiasts and professionals who share shooting and editing tips and techniques to help others create better imagery. In this quick episode our unnamed instructor explains the concept behind single-point AF, why the technique is so popular among pros, and several simple tips for getting the job done.

It’s logical to assume that this method is only appropriate for static subjects, like landscapes, portraits, or images of birds perched on the branch of a tree. In fact, however, there are times when this approach can also be used to advantage when photographing subjects in motion.

There are several very helpful tips in this three-minute lesson, including where and how to place the point of focus while composing a scene. The instructor also provides example of why, “single-point autofocus is the AF mode I use most of the time.”

The benefits of this technique are many, including the fact that you have full control of focus, rather than trusting the camera to get it right. Our instructor puts it like this: “Having the camera make the choice in Multi-Point mode often results in photos that are focused in the wrong place.”

It takes a bit of practice to move a single focus point to the correct spot within the frame, and this approach slow you down at first. But once you get the hang of it “you’ll become more precise and faster that if your camera is set to Multi-Point AF.”

You may want to consult your manual because different cameras have a propriety method for making this adjustment. Sometimes it’s a button or joystick, while other times you’ll rotate a wheel or use the touchscreen on the back of the camera to set the AF point like you do on a phone.

Properly configuring the camera is the first task, and the remainder of the lesson concentrates on several practical techniques for using single-point AF in the correct manner depending upon the specific task at hand. Then you’ll be able to capture consistently sharp photos every time.

There’s much more to learn on the Great Big Photography World YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.

And don’t miss the tutorial mentioned above that demonstrates five ways to boost autofocus speed and acquisition with whatever photography gear you own.