Creative low-light techniques with the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR and NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7

Silhouettes

In golden light, position your subject against the setting sun to create interesting silhouettes, whether buildings, people or other shapes. The strong backlight creates a beautiful contrast, helping the subject stand out clearly against the brighter sky. With the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your subjects, plus it’s really ideal for capturing scenes without drawing attention to yourself, and so perfect for street photography enthusiasts.

Intentional blur

During the blue hour, there is a real opportunity to make ordinary scenes extraordinary. As the light fades and streetlights begin to glow, slow shutter speeds become easier to use, allowing you to experiment with panning and intentional blur. Start by standing very still and then pan the camera sideways, using a speed of around 1/4 or 1/6 sec to begin with. It takes a little practice to get the movement right, but by adjusting your shutter speed and refining the smoothness of your pan you can turn everyday lights and scenes into dynamic images. Thankfully, the Nikon Z50II is easy to handle, lightweight and, thanks to the tilting screen, makes it much easier to capture subjects in this way. The camera remains steady at slow shutter speeds, which is very helpful when you want to take creative images like this.

Blue hour darkening skies

During the day, bright skies can make upward compositions difficult, as the strong backlight can strip subjects of colour and detail. However, during the blue hour the sky begins to soften, and photographing up can be far more effective, giving you a better chance of capturing richer tones and clearer detail. So look up and away from the setting sun. Skylights, lampposts, rooftops are all great spots to try. The 16-50mm is great for getting closer to subjects you don’t want to disturb, plus the VR mechanism ensures that you’ll still get sharp images even at 50mm in low light. 

Stillness amongst the rush

As the day draws to a close and people begin to rush home, the fading light can make it easier to slow your shutter speed and turn passing figures into soft streaks that convey movement. When you team this with one person standing still in the composition, it creates a striking contrast. Do this by setting your shutter speed to about 1/20 sec and keep your body still. It’s a huge advantage that the Nikon Z50II and the 35mm lens are super lightweight, which makes it really easy to hold the camera steady.

Side light for depth

During golden hour, try positioning yourself so that your subject is lit from the side, as this creates more depth, shape and texture than when lit from the front. Highlights on one side and shadow on the other help give the image a more three-dimensional feel. With the 16-50mm lens, I was able to get closer to the subject and, by setting the aperture to f/5, ensure that the subject was completely in focus.

Play with shadows

Pay attention to shadows, as when captured effectively they can frame a scene, add depth and create striking perspectives. Try positioning yourself in a way that allows the shadow to lead the eye, emphasise shape or introduce a sense of mystery. With the 16-50mm lens, you can get closer to subjects you don’t want to disturb, helping you pick out details and make shadows a more deliberate part of the composition.

Master monochrome

As the light fades, tones become softer and more muted, which helps simplify a frame and draws attention to the mood and story. So look for scenes in low light where the colours feel almost monochrome, then use negative space to let them breathe. Thanks to the compact design of the Z50II and the 35mm lens, you feel as if you can disappear into the crowd and capture scenes more easily. Plus, thanks to its focal length, the lens is very useful for a wide range of situations – you can easily capture an entire scene in a single frame or focus on just a single detail.

Creative low-light top tips

1. As daylight fades, use areas of darkness as a compositional tool rather than something to avoid. Negative space and shadow can simplify the frame, helping to guide the viewers’ attention.
2. Use slower shutter speeds, such as 1/5 and 1/20 sec, to add motion and atmosphere to low-light scenes. Keep the camera still to blur movement though the frame or pan with a moving subject to create a sharper subject against a streaked background.
3. In low light, pay attention to where the light is coming from and use it deliberately to create a silhouette. Add side light for depth and texture or cast a warm glow across the subject.
4. A mirrorless camera such as the Z50II gives you the advantage of seeing your results in real time. Use this to shape the images you take by assessing the light, shadow, composition, space and atmosphere before capturing the final frame.
5. Lenses such as the NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 and NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR have fast maximum apertures. Make use of them in challenging lighting conditions to give yourself more creative freedom, while helping to keep ISO low.