I have a stupid question.

October 13th, 2011
Well here goes. I do not know the difference between ISO and shutter speed. Or is it really the same thing. Seems like the more I think I am learning, I find out I really know nothing yet lol. But not giving up till I get it good enough to take a decent photo. Thanks for responding to such a silly question. Red faced here!!
October 13th, 2011
I will be watching for the answer...just got a DSLR and learning ot use it and get these confused since both of them deal with lighting and how much light goes into the camera....
October 13th, 2011
Taking a sight of relief. Glad I am not the only one to ask the simple questions I don't understand. Mary, I know someone will help us.
October 13th, 2011
ISO - The speed or specific light-sensitivity of a camera is rated by ISO numbers such as 100, 400, etc. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is to light. As with film, the higher speeds usually induce more electronic noise so the image gets grainier.

(it is an electronic processing of the photo on digicams ; on old cams it was the sensitivity of the film and it was a physical character)

Shutter - The physical device that opens and closes to let light from the scene strike the image sensor. Digicams use both electronic and mechanical shutters.

shutter speed is actual, physical act that let more or less light reach the captor. ISO is the electronic way the digicam will evaluate the light reaching the captor . For instance, if you choose high ISO (800), it will multiply the result by 2 or 4 or... , so that a little light will appear brighter on the final picture (so you use high ISO to see the dark areas less dark) but the imperfections are also multiplicated, this way.
October 13th, 2011
small article that might help you :)
October 13th, 2011
Here's the most common analogy :)
http://www.betterphoto.com/article.asp?id=135
October 13th, 2011
Thank you so much Rachel. I actually think I get it now. I truely appreciate your help.
October 13th, 2011
You guys got this all wrong, talking about electronics and noise and stuff. Let me tell you how it really works.

ISO is how fast you tell the Magic Elves inside your camera to paint your picture. The faster you make them work, the sloppier the picture gets.

The shutter speed determines how long you allow them to look at the picture before they can get to work. The amount they remember depends on how much time you grant them.

If you make them work slowly (low ISO) and don't give them very long to look at the picture (short shutter speed), they won't be able to paint anything, or sometimes they'll only paint the brightest images they saw. You'll get a very dark or totally black image.

If you make them work very quickly (high ISO) and don't give them very long to look at the picture (short shutter speed), they will be able to paint the picture accurately, but it will be a little sloppy and rough.

If you make them work very quickly (high ISO) and give them a very long time to look at it (long shutter speed), they'll overdo it and you might end up with a very bright or totally white picture.

Finally, if you let them work slowly (low ISO) but give them plenty of time to view the picture (long shutter speed), they'll be able to take their time and produce a nice replication for you -- so long as your camera and the scenery doesn't move while you let them peek through the shutter.

Of course, if you don't want to go too high or too low with your ISO, or to fast or to slow with your shutter, you can find some equal ground in the middle.

Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll cover aperture, or as it's known to the Magic Elves: The Mystical Peep Hole.
October 13th, 2011
@gurry Really?? I thought it was fairies!
October 13th, 2011
@pocketmouse That depends on the sex of the camera. If yours has fairies, it must be a lady :D
October 13th, 2011
@gurry @pocketmouse 'CEO of Cannon resigns as share prices plummet following the revelations that their cameras contain magic elves and not cutting edge technology as previously thought'
October 13th, 2011
@iandec I don't know, if Canon has magic elves and fairies, I'm buyin shares.
October 13th, 2011
Bev
@gurry Love the analogy... I still don't know what the heck aperture is but then I don't have a fancy DSLR. I just have a cheap Kodak EasyShare that happens to do what I want it to do for some odd reason.
October 13th, 2011
@pwallis A good point and now would be a good time to buy them seeing as the share price has just plummeted!
October 13th, 2011
@gurry great analogy - put a smile on my face to start the day :o)
October 13th, 2011
@gurry "Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll cover aperture, or as it's known to the Magic Elves: The Mystical Peep Hole."

Can NOT wait for this one :) Great job on the ISO/Shutter Speed
October 13th, 2011
@sparkle @suzk Thanks, ladies. Joking aside, I hope it was a helpful explanation!

As for the Mystical Peep Hole, if you really want to know, I'll whip up a solid explanation involving all sorts of mythological creatures, and minimal technical jargon.
October 13th, 2011
@gurry That's a great analogy and the clearest explanation of how something works I've ever read. I can see the beginnings of a very useful and helpful book here - seriously.
October 13th, 2011
@gurry +1 for the explanation. ;-) That's gotta be framed, with little drawings/visuals. Hope I don't get the different scenarios mixed up.
October 13th, 2011
@dulciknit I'm with you Alison, what a great book this would make to camera dummies like me!! @jeancarl Signing you up for the illustrations then! All care of 365 productions!! @gurry
October 13th, 2011
@gurry
Best analogy and explanation I have ever heard!
October 13th, 2011
@dulciknit @jeancarl @Cherrill @juanita Thanks, everyone. I'm glad you found it helpful and entertaining. What good is education if it puts you to sleep, right? :)
October 13th, 2011
@gurry love your explanation - made me smile too - cant wait for the mystical peep hole story : )
October 13th, 2011
@gurry yes please. Your elves make more sense than anything else I've read on the topic.
October 13th, 2011
@gurry - love it!! You need to run a whole series....
October 13th, 2011
@gurry I love you're explanation of this now I understand it more than before, will never forget about the magic elves in my camera, so I have to take good care of those elves
October 13th, 2011
@gurry I loved the explanation as well. Made my day, looking forward to the next chapter.
October 14th, 2011
Thank you Gary, you must be a teacher of some kind. Very good way to remember it all. And funny also.
October 14th, 2011
I'f you have any more great ideas, please share with us newer ones.
October 14th, 2011
And we are waiting anxiously for the aperature lesson. Please!!
October 14th, 2011
@gurry Man, you speak my language. Now i think I'm ready for the Peep Hole lesson. Then I've just got to work on remembering it all LOL. You're awesome, thanks thanks thanks!
October 15th, 2011
how come something 'slightly bonkers' makes perfect sence ..love it...
Try reading @gurry explanation out load to someone who knows nothing about cameras & watch there reaction....((o; i did it was so funny
October 15th, 2011
@steveh Really? Wow, maybe I should actually consider doing an aperture explanation!
March 4th, 2012
Gary, that's such a great explanation. Well done.
All joking aside, and until the magical elves book comes out, my favorite explanation for the "big 3" is Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure book.
March 4th, 2012
@gurry Fab! I just read the first article and my eyes glazed over. I read yours and it MAKES SENSE! Please do the rest of the camera in the same way!!
April 29th, 2012
@gurry oh Gary you are a genius !!! You explain it sooo well...now please do aperture and the rest in this format !!! And write a book ! And look after the cats
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