Improve your photography with these essentials...

Last update:- 11th February 2025

Introduction.

Many YouTubers started 2024 with basic photography essentials. While most have good intentions, it's disappointing when popular influencers present inaccurate information. For example, the exposure triangle used in digital photography training courses applies to analog cameras. Most photographers, therefore, never get the chance to leverage the unspoken capabilities of digital cameras. These basics inspired me to introduce an advanced exposure technique plus the following essentials:

1. "Focus" on the subject, and don't let the background or DR distract you.
2. Exposure Triangle - Replace "ISO Sensitivity" with "Image Brightness."
3. Ignore all "size and capture" theorists discussing image sensors/cameras.
4. Knowledge and experience are a huge advantage for digital photography.

Imagine you are doing sunset or blue hour photography, and it's possible to lower the image brightness just enough to control high DR areas like shop windows, streetlamps, and restaurants. For example, how did I control the images below? I used an interesting exposure technique, which saturates the sensor with the aperture/shutter combination while separately controlling the ISO function, which amplifies the image signal. In other words, we maintain acceptable image quality (DxOMark) with a saturated sensor while varying the image (scene) brightness and finalizing it in Workspace.

Influencers present ISO invariance as a mystery, whereas knowledge explains it...

Study my articles about the fourth exposure variable. The exposure technique in the example below benefit from a controlled scene luminance (4th exposure variable). It changes with the time of day or by adding artificial light to the scene. We can do so much more with digital photography...

Figure 1.

1. Focus on the subject, and don't let the background distract you

I'm a keen follower of the Danish photographer Thorsten Overgaard. I appreciate his work, enthusiasm for Leica cameras, and passion for photography. Thorsten introduced 4 new Essentials to improve our photography in 2024. Many influencers and photographers think the ISO function on digital cameras is similar to film cameras. See Thorsten's video for his thoughts on focusing on the subject...

The digital camera's ISO function does NOT change the sensor's sensitivity!

2. Remove "ISO Sensitivity" from the Exposure Triangle

The best way to view the ISO function on digital cameras is to consider it a brightness adjustment, which correlates with the exposure compensation slider in Workspace. The shutter and aperture exposing the sensor and the ISO amplifier are separate variables in the exposure formula. The sensor's sensitivity is measured and set at the factory. It's a one-off adjustment to align the sensor output to digital cameras. The ISO function amplifies the image signal from the sensor or pixel.

See this article for more information on the exposure mix.

It's concerning that we don't have basic guidelines to "manage" modern digital cameras. The guidelines we do have are an outdated analog exposure triangle and the "bigger is better" theory. It should be normal to have a digital exposure triangle supporting technical aspects like sensor saturation and ISO amplification. The analog exposure triangle, "size and capture," and "ISO sensitivity" guides disregard the differences between the technical and optical aspects of digital cameras. Modern photographers will benefit from practical guides like the digital exposure triangle and an image-signal flow diagram. For example, it should be normal for modern photographers to manage optical controls like DOF and technical controls like sensor saturation and image signal amplification (ISO).

We are reviewing the benefits of knowing it's possible to manage the sensor's saturation and image brightness (ISO) separately. This knowledge changes how we apply our digital cameras...

See this video discussing more on advanced exposure techniques...

EM5 II & 7-14mm f2.8 lens - ISO800, f2.8, 1/250. The Advanced Raw File was converted in WS. The new ISO technique will benefit this photo...

The information below applies to all digital cameras:

1. The Shutter and Aperture are responsible for exposing the sensor.
2. The ISO function only amplifies the image signal from the sensor.
3. Keep in mind the ISO is part of the camera's exposure calculation.

The possible origins of adjusting sensor sensitivity.

Source: dpreview.com - Olympus Camedia C-50 (pre "size and capture" days)

Consider these points when using the Digital Exposure Triangle:

• Reflected light (Shutter Speed and Aperture) controls the sensor's saturation level.
• Reflected light saturates the sensor. It improves the SNR, which decreases noise.
• Less reflected light decreases the SNR. Smaller SNRs means more visible noise.
• Study the Photons to Electrons conversion graph in my previous articles - link.

EM1 MKI & 12mm f2 lens - ISO1250, f2.0, 1/25. The Enhanced Raw File converted in WS. These scenes benefitted from the new ISO technique.

3. Ignore ALL "size and capture" theorists explaining digital cameras

Study the examples in Figure 1. The image on the left is the JPEG from my EM5 II, and the one on the right is the converted raw file. They are examples of mastering digital cameras and Workspace. They are not AI creations, computational photography, LUT creations, or the result of advanced image editing. Photographers in Group A will typically say the EM5 II has too little dynamic range, and those in Group B will seek more information to improve their photography and image quality.

What about the role of social media influencers? They promote the "idea" that cameras with bigger sensors are better (more efficient). The deliverables are more dynamic range, background blur, image quality, less noise, and more details. Influencers generally refuse to discuss the optical and technical characteristics of modern digital cameras. They also disregard the roles of the photographer, lens, image processor, and firmware by promoting the idea that the sensor does everything.

Olympus EM5 II & 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/500. The new ISO technique lets us control any highlights in the above scene.

4. Knowledge and experience are critical aspects of digital photography

Which variables controlled the image look in Figure 1? The final image look is proportional to sensor saturation, image brightness (ISO setting), gamma conversion, and exposure compensation (EC) in the camera or Workspace. The Olympus EM5 II is known for its image quality and a smaller noise floor. See the DxOMark Low-Light ISO rating as it defines acceptable versus good image quality.

It's critical to take a new look at digital cameras. A saturated sensor enables us to manage our image brightness in the camera (ISO) and/or Workspace (EC). We can adjust the camera's Tone Curve with the Gradation function, Highlights/Midtones/Shadows sliders, and/or the Tone Curve in Workspace. Why do we need a new exposure Technique? The new technique is based on the design principles of digital cameras and not random "bigger is better" theories. For example, a saturated sensor means more Dynamic Range (better image quality) and a higher SNR (less visible noise)...

Not all photographers know that the sensor is one of many variables responsible for clipping. Higher or lower image signal amplification (ISOs) can also cause clipping because the ISO is part of the exposure formula. The camera's ISO is similar to the exposure compensation function in Workspace.

How do we apply the new exposure technique?

1. This technique benefits from the Enhanced Raw Format and Workspace.
2. The Enhanced Raw Format is the link between the camera and Workspace.
3. Evaluate the reflected light strength/quality and set the ISO to 400 or 800.
4. Use the histogram to optimally expose the sensor (Aperture & shutter).
5. Critical - the histogram follows the sensor's saturation at a fixed ISO.
6. Lower the "ISO with 1/3EV intervals to manage" highlight clipping.
7. Finalize the image brightness with EC in WS. Export a 16-bit Tiff file.
8. The final step is editing the exported 16-bit Tiff file in Affinity.

EC = Exposure Compensation.

Olympus E620 w 12-60mm f2.8 Lens - ISO100, f8.0, 1Sec. 3 AE bracketed raw files were converted and edited (HDR) in Photoshop.

Is there another way of creating Photo B? Yes, I used the above method to illustrate the relationship between the camera's sensor and ISO function. Some will say the EM5 II is ISO Invariant. Folks, the "size and capture" and "ISO Invariance" theories are marketing programs. Those pushing them cannot explain why we have image noise, a noise floor, and why all sensors are not "ISO Invariant."

It's possible to manage the sensor's saturation and clipping separately if we know that clipping is not an exclusive weakness of the sensor. For example, the sensor could be perfectly exposed (saturated), while the ISO setting (image brightness) might be causing clipping in the highs or lows...

The following steps explain how I created Image B:

1. I used Image A to set the default auto exposure of the E-M5 II (ISO200, f4.0, 1/25).
2. The DxOMark "Low Light" Sports rating showed I could vary the ISO with 2-stops.
3. That means I could adjust the "highlights" if I kick off with ISO800, f4, and 1/100.
4. Final setting were ISO200, f4, 1/80 in M-Mode. (No clipping & sensor @ 20% ETTR).
5. I corrected the image brightness (Image B) in WS with EC and Tonal adjustments.

Olympus E410 w 14-42mm lens - ISO400, f13, 13 Sec. The highlights and general IQ of the E-410 will benefit from this ISO technique.

It takes time to familiarize ourselves with new techniques and improve our ability to manage Olympus Cameras and Workspace. For example, the concept that ALL sensors have a noise floor underlines this new ISO technique. It's possible to control highlight clipping with an optimally exposed sensor. The Enhanced Raw Format enables us to finalize our ISO values in the camera or Workspace.

Here is another method to create Photo B (Fig. 1). Olympus cameras automatically vary the sensor's saturation level with AE Bracketing. That means the camera doesn't change the ISO in AE bracketing mode. Use ISO800 and the "2f 1.0EV" bracketing option to take 2 photos. Manually take another image at ISO200 (-2EV) and the 20% ETTR aperture and shutter values. Do the final image brightness and Gamma Curve adjustments in Workspace and export the image in a 16-bit Tiff format.

Olympus EM5 II w 7-14mm f2.8 lens - ISO64, f7.1, 1/125. ISO64 helped me to up the SNR and saturate the sensor.

Conclusion

Most digital cameras from 2012 onwards have acceptable to good IQ. Modern marketing and collective dynamics continue to push for more image quality. Be aware of the dumbing-down effect of everyday marketing and reject any "bigger is better" theories. Study and master your digital camera.

This article shows the value of knowing your digital camera. It enabled me to manage the sensor's SNR and control clipping highlights. The new ISO technique relies on the DxOMark "Acceptable Image Quality" rating. This gave me the comfort of having a minimum Color Depth of 18, a Dynamic Range of 9EV, and an SNR of 30db, with no ETTR, at ISO800. This new exposure technique is more exciting with the Olympus EM1 III because the new Workspace AI noise filter works from IS800.

Why shouldn't we "expose for highlights?" This "technique" illustrates why social media experts are terrible advisors! What happens when we apply a negative exposure compensation in any of the AE Modes? Many photographers use Aperture Mode and Auto-ISO. It simply means they can't determine if the sensor is saturated or not. It's like being blindfolded when doing photography...

A final example of timing, compositions, and complex exposures.

Alex Nail is a great landscape photographer. He took a group of photographers into the Drakensberg mountains. The vegetation in this mountainous region brought back memories of South Africa. Image quality is not only a function of your camera because all digital cameras have unique strengths and weaknesses. One of the joys of photography is managing the camera's limitations...