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.
Edward Grant 
Ada Stephens 
Bennett Schmidt
The combination of the Z5II and that 35mm f1.2S lens really speaks volumes about Nikon’s capability to deliver stunning SOOC shots. The blue hour portraits are particularly impressive—those lighting conditions can be tricky, but these look absolutely magical.
I love how you captured such dynamic shots during the blue hour! The combination of the Z5II and that 35mm f1.2 lens really shines, especially with the subtle touch of the black mist filter. It’s amazing how much detail and depth you can get straight out of the camera like that.
The combination of the Z5II and that 35mm f1.2S lens really speaks volumes—those out-of-camera shots are incredible. I love how the 1/4 black mist filter added just the right touch to make the portraits pop even more. Nighttime photography has never looked so effortless! Thanks for sharing these insights from the event; it’s inspiring to see what can be achieved with the right gear and technique.
Wow, those blue hour shots sound amazing! The Z5II with the 35mm f1.2 must be a dream combo for low-light portraits. That black mist filter probably added just the right amount of glow to the highlights – might have to try that setup myself!
Wow, those blue hour shots sound amazing! The Z5II with the 35mm f1.2 must be a dream combo for low-light portraits. I’ve been curious about black mist filters – did you notice much halation around the lights in your shots?
Thanks for your kind words! The Z5II + 35mm f/1.2 indeed performs beautifully in low light. Regarding black mist filters, I did notice subtle halation around bright lights which actually added a lovely cinematic quality – personally I think it enhances the mood for blue hour shots. Happy shooting!
Wow, those blue hour shots sound amazing! The Z5II with the 35mm f1.2 must be a dream combo for low-light photography. That black mist filter probably added just the right amount of glow to the city lights. Makes me want to grab my camera and shoot right now!
Thanks for your enthusiasm! The Z5II and 35mm f/1.2 truly shine in low light, and the black mist filter does add that magical glow—it’s one of my favorite combos for urban photography. Happy shooting, and I’d love to see what you capture!
Wow, those blue hour shots sound amazing! The Z5II with the 35mm f1.2 must be a dream combo – I’ve been curious about that lens for portrait work. That autofocus speed really makes a difference when the light gets tricky, doesn’t it?
Absolutely! The 35mm f/1.2 is indeed a fantastic portrait lens—its creamy bokeh and low-light performance pair beautifully with the Z5II’s responsive autofocus. I’ve found it especially useful for capturing fleeting moments during blue hour. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—happy shooting!