How can the Z f help create natural light portraits? Q&A with photographer Michi Nakano

Michi Nakano•Ihmiset ja tapahtumat•01 maalisk. 2024•Lukuaika 3 min

One of the first to test the new Nikon Z f, photographer, writer and filmmaker Michi Nakano shares how the Z f, coupled with the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 SE, is perfect for capturing natural expressions

Nikon: Has image-making always been a big part of your life?

Michi: I never intended to be a photographer. When I was younger, I always loved taking pictures of my family, dog and scenery. I loved the feeling I got from seeing film being developed and revisiting the memories. After university, I started taking pictures with my dad’s old manual film camera. I had no idea how to change the settings, so I often ended up with very dark images, but I loved how they looked! That’s when I started getting more involved in photography, and I learned how to use the camera through reading articles. After my master’s degree, I didn’t know what to do with my future but through taking pictures I met a lot of interesting people – actors, musicians, other photographers – people really expressing themselves and I wanted to be a part of it. That’s when it hit me, I wanted to be a photographer. I’ve been photographing for eight years now.

One of the first to test the new Nikon Z f, photographer, writer and filmmaker Michi Nakano shares how the Z f, coupled with the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 SE, is perfect for capturing natural expressions

Nikon: Has image-making always been a big part of your life?

Michi Nakano

Ihmiset ja tapahtumat

What’s in my kitbag?

Z fFull-frame, iconic mirrorless camera

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)Small and expressive

How can the Z f help create natural light portraits?

For me, shooting portraits is like holding a mirror to myself and I love to take great photos of natural facial expressions. Shooting portraits with the Z f was great because the camera is really small and handy, and you can get very close to the subject, while also making them feel at ease.

How do you make your models feel comfortable?

I’m not bossy, for starters! I always ensure I’m friendly and I treat them with respect.

How did you find the design of the Z f?

I love the shape, grip, and the vintage look. The EVF was very useful too, and the autofocus was so sharp. It means I can concentrate on composition rather than precise focussing. The camera itself is small and handy, especially with a lens like the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 SE and, combined with the VR, it produces very smooth video too, even without a tripod. This camera makes me want to carry it everywhere.

What’s one tip you have for aspiring photographers?

The hardest part of photography is accepting what you get. Loving yourself and your work is the hardest part and if you love yourself right now, you’ll love everything you do and everything you’ll take. I don’t really care so much for composition and lighting and perfect technique, of course I have my favourite settings, but when I’m taking pictures, I just want to capture the moment I love. When I see the images, I rejoice in those memories and how much I enjoyed those images. Don’t forget photography is about yourself.

Natural lighting or flash?

Natural lighting, always. I like using flash too, but I don’t like using studio lighting.

What are your normal camera settings?

I use Manual mode and I prefer my aperture set to f/2.8 or f/4. With portraits, I prefer less bokeh and a more natural background, so I very rarely set my aperture to f/1.4 or wider as I don’t like super-creamy background. My shutter speed is usually 1/125 secs. When I filmed video in 10-bit N-log, the footage looked so beautiful. I really felt the texture of the footage.

Do you use a gimbal when you’re filming?

I prefer filming handheld. For me, a gimbal kills the atmosphere and completely shake-free is too mechanical. Imperfection to me is far more natural.

View more of Michi’s natural portrait photography here