Which setting would you adjust to affect image brightness and digital noise?

• A. White Balance
• B. Shutter Speed
• C. ISO
• D. Focal Length

Answer: (C)

Adjusting how sensitive the sensor is to light controls both brightness and the amount of digital noise. This sensitivity is the ISO setting. Raising ISO makes the image brighter in the same lighting by boosting the sensor’s signal, but it also amplifies random sensor noise, so the photo can become grainier. Lower ISO keeps noise down but requires more light or a longer exposure to reach the same brightness. White balance affects color cast, not exposure or noise. Shutter speed changes how long light hits the sensor and can influence brightness and motion blur, but it isn’t the factor that directly increases noise the way high ISO does. Focal length changes framing and depth of field, not how bright or noisy the image is.