In digital photos, it works the same way. A higher ISO will introduce digital “noise”. The higher
the ISO the “noisier” it gets.
Why do you care about ISO?
Back to our digital macro-close-up shooting... if you need a small aperture (and you will) and if
you need to freeze the subject with a faster shutter speed than you could normally use with that
aperture, you can bump up the ISO.
It will cut down on the amount of light you need and let you shoot with a faster shutter.
A word of caution... Typically you will want to use an ISO of around 100. If you have a reason
to go faster, go ahead and bump up the ISO but, be sure to change back the camera setting when
you are through.
I forgot once (when I was shooting film) and ruined an entire session. I was shooting at a tryout
session for potential L.A. Rams cheerleaders. (Until security noticed me and threw me out.)
This was before the team moved to St. Louis.
The previous day I had been fooling around with some high speed film and had my camera set
for 3200 ISO. I forgot to change it back.
That day I learned that using a camera setting of 3200 ISO with a roll of 100 speed film produces
nothing but black.
Light Tent
Our last consideration of light is another one that doesn’t actually provide more light, but will
modify the light that you already have. The Light Tent.
Generally when you run across a discussion of using a light tent, they are talking about still life
photography. This would include advertising photography and so on. When you see a gorgeous