Auto ISO: How Much Control Are You Giving Up?

Auto ISO is often misunderstood—especially when photographers claim they're shooting in manual while still using auto ISO. Understanding this difference affects the level of control you have over your images and the creative choices you're making behind the camera.

Coming to you from David Bergman with Adorama, this straightforward video tackles the misconceptions surrounding auto ISO and manual photography. Bergman clearly explains the three essential elements of the exposure triangle: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. While shutter speed and aperture physically control how much light reaches your camera's sensor, ISO works differently—it digitally amplifies the captured light. Auto ISO hands part of your exposure control over to the camera, adjusting ISO automatically based on lighting conditions, despite you manually setting shutter speed and aperture. Bergman emphasizes that this automatic ISO adjustment, although useful, isn't truly manual exposure.

Bergman's discussion on manual mode versus auto ISO highlights an important point: manual mode is about maintaining full control over all exposure settings. True manual means setting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO individually, without letting the camera change anything. Using auto ISO—even in manual mode—still delegates exposure decisions to the camera's algorithms, which decide how bright or dark your final image becomes. Bergman shares his preference clearly, advocating for total manual control in nearly all his work to consistently achieve specific creative effects or moods.

The usefulness of auto ISO becomes apparent when photographing fast-moving subjects or in environments where lighting conditions fluctuate quickly. Bergman points out the convenience of setting auto ISO limits, allowing you to define maximum ISO values to avoid image noise, or minimum shutter speeds to prevent blur from camera shake. Such flexibility can significantly streamline your workflow, particularly when dealing with unpredictable or challenging shooting conditions. It's not about right or wrong—it's about understanding what level of control you're comfortable surrendering to your camera's automatic functions.

An essential takeaway from Bergman’s perspective is understanding how these automatic adjustments impact the final look of your images. If you're looking to achieve a particular style, mood, or consistency across a series of photos, relying on auto ISO may introduce unintended variations. Being mindful of these subtleties ensures that your creative vision stays intact, especially in situations where precise exposure is crucial.

Bergman’s insights offer valuable clarity on when auto ISO is beneficial and when it's best avoided. Understanding this helps you make informed decisions rather than relying on default camera behaviors. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bergman.