What is the impact of using a high ISO setting?

Using a high ISO setting primarily improves the camera's ability to perform in low light conditions, allowing for faster shutter speeds without sacrificing exposure. Higher ISO settings increase the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, enabling photographers to capture images with less ambient light. This is particularly helpful in situations where using a flash is not appropriate or when the ambient light is very low, such as indoor events or nighttime photography.

However, one of the trade-offs when increasing ISO is the potential introduction of noise, which manifests as graininess that can reduce image quality. This noise becomes more pronounced at higher ISO levels, which is an important consideration for photographers aiming for high image fidelity.

The other options do not accurately describe the impact of using a high ISO setting. For instance, increasing exposure time is typically associated with a low ISO setting to allow more light to hit the sensor, while enhancing detail in bright areas pertains more to proper exposure and dynamic range rather than ISO. The use of a tripod is often recommended for long exposure shots to avoid camera shake, regardless of the ISO setting, although higher ISO can sometimes reduce the need for a tripod in lower light situations.