danalec99 said:
Okay, for the following settings when do we use a higher or lower ISO?
1. Outdoor - day
2. Outdoor - low light
3. Action/motion/panning shots
4. Portraits
Mark is absolutely right in that ISO, shutter speed and aperture are completely inter-related.
High ISO number means higher sensitivity but more noise.
Higher aperture number (smaller hole) gives greater depth of field (DOF) but means less light enters so lower sensitivity.
Higher shutter speed ( shutter open for less time) means less movement occurs when the shutter is open thereby minimizing hand shake and good for "stopping motion" but again, less light enters so lower sensitivity.
So, for best quality you go for low ISO, for maximum DOF you want the highest F # (smallest aperture) and to minimize movement blur you need the fastest shutter speed.
This all adds up to the lowest sensitivity so you compromise.
Simplistic answers to your four conditions would be as follows:
1) Outdoor-day: Lots of light available so you can have a low ISO, a small aperture and probably still have a reasonably fast shutter speed.
2) Outdoor-low light: Not so easy this one, depends on what you want to shoot and how low is low light. If it's something stationary (landscape for instance) then keep a low ISO for best quality, depending on how much DOF you're looking for, say let's compromise with a midrange F # of 8. This is going to mean a longer exposure so a tripod would be called for.
3) If it's something moving then you would need a higher ISO, the lowest F # your lens will allow and the fastest shutter speed that works for those two conditions.
4) Portraits: Another weasel answer again in that it depends! If you're setting up in a studio you'll probably use a tripod, have lots of light and a reasonably fast lens and enough DOF for the subjects face so a fast shutter speed will minimise movement but if it's outside in low light then see above.
HTH and experiment for yourself.