ISO

Shooting in Manual Mode

by Tom Wiggins
February 14, 2024February 16, 2024

Over the last year, I have had several students ask me about learning to shoot using manual mode. When I explored it further, most were saying “I don’t want to use automatic. I want to learn the other settings on my camera.” A recent student said, “I want to be… Read More »

Basic Camera Controls You Should Know

by Tom Wiggins
October 17, 2023October 17, 2023

Shooting Modes Automatic (Auto) – The camera sets speed and aperture to what it determines to be the optimum exposure for the selected ISO. Program (P) – The camera sets speed/aperture, but you can change the combination of aperture and shutter speed while still at the optimum exposure for the… Read More »

Thoughts on Teaching Photography

by Tom Wiggins
June 30, 2023April 12, 2024

I started teaching photography over 10 years ago doing group lessons. I met many individuals who were overwhelmed by the depth of their digital camera’s menus and they had no idea where to start. It became quickly apparent that group lessons didn’t work well because all digital cameras are not… Read More »

Understanding Your Camera’s ISO Performance

by Tom Wiggins
March 7, 2023August 14, 2024

Understanding the ISO performance limits of your camera will help you achieve the best quality images possible. As you use higher ISO values the images become less sharp i.e. noisy/grainy. This blog post will provide you with an approach to choosing the maximum ISO acceptable for your camera. In December… Read More »

ISO Study (A New Camera)

by Tom Wiggins
March 7, 2023August 11, 2023

One of the questions students often ask is “Should I buy a new camera?” My answer is always, “Learn how to use the camera you currently own and only consider buying a new camera when the camera is limiting your photography, not your knowledge of photography and how to use… Read More »

Camera Check List

by Tom Wiggins
December 28, 2022September 20, 2023

How many times have you picked up your camera, taken a photo and viewed it on the LCD, and then said, “OOPS#*?”. If you’re anything like most amateur photographers, it happens more times than you would like to remember or admit. The following checklist will help you to prepare your… Read More »

How to Make a Photo Better #3

by Tom Wiggins
October 19, 2019August 11, 2023

My wife and I enjoy going to museums, but almost all museums don’t allow flash photography. This article is about adjusting your camera to the best possible photo with available light. Recently on a trip to the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC the above sculpture was on exhibition. We had… Read More »

How to Make a Photo Better #1

by Tom Wiggins
December 21, 2018August 11, 2023

Two Saturdays ago, I held the last of the three lessons in my “Introduction to Digital Photography” course, a photo walk in the Fells Point area of Baltimore. It was a bit cold so we took refuge at the end of the lesson in The Daily Grind, a local coffee… Read More »

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO The Mystery Decoded

by Tom Wiggins
August 8, 2017August 11, 2023

Recently, it become apparent that some students have trouble understanding the relationship between Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO and how they effect exposure for a given photograph. First let’s define each: Aperture or f Stop – is the size of the opening in the lens that allows light to hit… Read More »

Exposure Compensation

by Tom Wiggins
March 1, 2017March 6, 2024

In a blog post, I introduced Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) and Exposure Compensation. Here I would like to explain more about using Exposure Compensation . The photos below were taken using AEB in Aperture Priority Mode i.e. the camera determines the shutter speed. (Note: I targeted the train station using spot… Read More »