Nikon Cloud Creation: Master of Stunning Straight-Out-of-Camera Shots

Today, I joined a portrait photography group event at the Nikon Wukesong Experience Store, capturing moments from dusk until the enchanting blue hour. Each press of the shutter delivered breathtaking results that truly showcased the beauty of nighttime photography.

This series of photos was taken using the Nikon Z5II paired with the stunning Nikon 35mm f1.2S lens, enhanced further by the addition of a 1/4 black mist filter. My initial impression of the Z5II? Its autofocus speed is nothing short of extraordinary. Powered by the e7 processor, this camera effortlessly locks onto the model’s eyes, demonstrating a recognition capability far superior to that of its sixth-generation predecessor.

Moreover, the Z5II integrates seamlessly with Nikon Creative Cloud, allowing for in-camera optimizations like the VitalityFilm_Pmango preset crafted by the talented @Mango Xiaoming. This preset delivers vibrant colors, smooth skin tones, and an overall film-like aesthetic. Remarkably, with the in-camera skin softening feature activated, post-processing becomes entirely unnecessary—your images are ready straight out of the camera.

The Z 35mm f/1.2S lens is a masterpiece of optical engineering, offering an ultra-large aperture for remarkable autofocus performance. Even when shooting full-body portraits at 35mm, this lens creates a dreamy bokeh effect reminiscent of oil paintings. Additionally, the f/1.2 aperture allows for exceptional light intake, ensuring crisp and clean night scenes without requiring excessively slow shutter speeds.

This lens upholds the high standards of Nikon’s S line series, maintaining sharpness and eliminating chromatic aberration even at its widest aperture. While 35mm is traditionally celebrated for environmental portraits, why not push its boundaries with the f/1.2 aperture? This lens redefines what a 35mm can achieve, producing portraits that are both soft and strikingly beautiful.

A heartfelt thank you to the event organizer, @Nikon Imaging Experience Hall NikonFans, for arranging such an inspiring session. And a special shout-out to our automatic model @Yibao 🤪 (model version), whose dedication and professionalism made the two-hour shoot a delightful experience.