May magic: 31 challenges for National Photography Month

Nikon Team •Photo Finish•28 abr. 2025•10 min read

These creative challenges, from fun to fiendish, will get you rolling with stills – and video – this National Photography Month. With an introduction by Dom Salmon

This month isn’t just about a spring clean for the May queen (thank you Led Zeppelin), it’s also National Photography Month, a celebratory time for the visual image. I’m hoping you’ll be heading out to catch some of the myriad exhibitions, or even better, tagging along with live workshops via clubs or galleries near you.

Though this month is centred on the still image, don’t let your inner director get left behind either. Capturing moving images is a great way to not only bolster your skill set but unlock some different ideas about capturing moments and telling stories to your audience.

If you have found video tricky, and tend to stick to your phone for this, it really is time to embrace your ‘hybrid’ content creator, one that feels equally comfortable in stills and video. And with the advance in tech offered by mirrorless digital cameras, it’s easier than ever.

My dad was one of the first TV cameraman to work in Electronic News Gathering (ENG), i.e. portable video. The soundman had to carry the giant U-Matic tape recorder (around the size of a plane carry-on case) and the (non-autofocus) camera lens cost about as much as an average house. Plus, any interior needed at least a couple of very large and hot tungsten lights to get a useable image. Oh, and obviously, there was no photo mode!

Today? My Z6II offers full-frame 24 mega pixel RAW photos and 1080p video at 120 frames a second, can output N-Log or RAW video, there’s super-fast autofocus, you can plug a mic into it and it practically fits in my pocket. It’s such a game-changer.

In the spirit of igniting a creative spark, here are 31 challenges to try this month. They range from beginner-friendly exercises to pro-level tasks, so everyone can join in. But whatever your level, try all of them (after all, you have a month), though I bet you’ll keep going well beyond the 31st!

These creative challenges, from fun to fiendish, will get you rolling with stills – and video – this National Photography Month. With an introduction by Dom Salmon

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z fFull-frame, iconic mirrorless camera

Z6IIINext level, full-frame camera

Z 8Fast, full-frame hybrid camera

Efe Onojaife (left), André Alexander (middle), Twin the world (right)

Day 1: Switch to RAW

Says who? Editor of Nikon magazine Derek Harbinson

Kick off the month with confidence by switching from JPEG to RAW. Every time you capture an image on the camera’s sensor you record digital data. A JPEG file compresses that data and some basic editing is automatically done in the camera. If you want to delve a little deeper, expand your creativity in photography and create the exact images you want, switching to RAW (through your camera’s menu) gives you complete control over your final output.

Read more: Why shoot RAW?

Day 2: Snap stunning sunrises and sunsets

Says who? Travel and outdoor photographer and Nikon Creator André Alexander

Timing, preparation and practice are key to capturing sunrise and sunset. Plan your session using Google Maps and sun location apps. Add vibrancy by photographing sun stars (also known as the starburst effect) – start your aperture at f/11 (widen aperture if you need) and position with the sun partially in view. The effect occurs as the light of the sun is split across the blades of your lens’ aperture. For best results, try in high-fidelity light – in this case sunrises or sunsets on clear, bright days.

From left to right: Rule of thirds, symmetry, golden triangles and golden spiral by Giulia Verdinelli. Remember, composition grids aren't just for food....

Giulia Verdinelli images for Nikon magazine

Day 3: Zoom (suddenly my heart went boom)

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Start by exploring how focal length affects your video’s look and story. If you have a zoom lens, film the same subject at the widest angle and then at the longest telephoto. You can either shoot two separate clips or use a slow zoom during one take. Notice the differences? With a wide angle, you’ll capture more of the background and a greater sense of depth. At telephoto, the background will appear compressed and closer to your subject.

Day 4: It’s a frame-up (try the rule of thirds)

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Experiment with ‘rule of thirds’ next. Imagine a grid dividing the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally, like a Rubik’s cube, and position your subject along one of those lines or at an intersection. Notice how an off-centre subject can make a scene more dynamic or visually pleasing? To add depth, frame your subject using the scene itself – capture through a doorway or between two branches, for instance. Good framing turns ordinary shots into compelling visuals.

Creative use of bokeh and depth of field. From left to right: Taru Rantala, Eugenia Hanganu, Christian Ammann, Lukas Schulze, Little Shao

Eugenia Hanganu's assets for Nikon magazine

Little Shao Photos for Plena article, Nikon magazine.

Day 5: Open your mind and your aperture

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Learn how aperture settings change the look of your footage. Switch to Aperture Priority or Manual mode on your Nikon Z and record a scene twice: once with a wide aperture (low f-number, such as f/2.8 or lower) and once with a narrow aperture (high f-number, say f/11 or f/16). A wide aperture creates a shallow depth of field – your subject stays sharp while the background becomes pleasingly blurred (bokeh), isolating your subject. A narrow aperture does the opposite, keeping more of the scene in focus. Check out how this affects the mood.

Day 6: Get creative with bokeh

Says who? Nikon magazine writer Emma Blackmore

Now you’ve experimented with a wide aperture for video, head back to stills. Grab a model for your portraits and see how bokeh can tell a story. A wide aperture (say f/1.7 or f/2.8) provides separation between the subject and the surroundings so that the viewer concentrates on the subject. A gentle bokeh (such as f/6.3) can tell a story about the subject, as it provides separation but still lets the viewer have some sense of what the background contains. No bokeh at all (f/22) requires a lot of careful composition so that the subject is not lost in a jumbled background.

Leading lines by Ben Moore

Ben Moore Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z7 for the Nikon magazine

Day 7: Document in darkness (using artificial light)

Says who? Nikon Ambassador, polar region and Arctic science photographer Esther Horvath

When the sun goes down, get ready to capture in darkness. The key? Lots of different types of light sources. I might have a headlight on my subject, plus I’ll also use torches. If you’re not on the move, then use off-camera flash to create a cinematic feeling against the blue light or darkness of the night. And don’t forget to photograph in RAW so everything is sharper.

Day 8: Elevate with leading lines

Says who? Street photographer and Nikon Creator Ben Moore

Time to get out and about. Focusing on leading lines and symmetry is my bread and butter, but it depends on what you get at the time. Sometimes, you might want one person in the shot to show a sense of scale or, if you have one person in shot, it’s because it matches the flow of the image – maybe a businessman in a suit in an office building. Look for something that adds to the story.

Crafting a flat lay composition with Kiran Cox

CreateYourLight Theme 8 "Flatlays" asset

Day 9: Up your flat lay game

Says who? Street photographer Kiran Cox

Want to share a personal story through objects? Try a flat lay composition. Add your hero piece to the centre before feeding in more objects. Keep an eye on distracting negative space, distancing between each piece and using items that have different heights. Try different angles, as adding a very slight tilt can bring depth and dimension. Start your aperture at f/5.6 for everything in focus, or f/2.8 to highlight a specific object.

Day 10: Be in the moment

Says who? Wedding photographer and Nikon Creator Gurvir Johal

Whether you’re capturing weddings or simply family moments, having a deep understanding of human emotion, an ability to anticipate moments and the capacity to weave a cohesive narrative through imagery is crucial. Unlike other genres, where you might have more control over the environment or subject matter, weddings are unpredictable, with fleeting moments that cannot be recreated. So, keep your camera, or cameras, at the ready and practise anticipating emotion and reactions.

Cam Whitnall uses Pre-Release Capture on his Nikon Z6III

Nikon magazine - How to get started as a wildlife photographer with the Nikon Z6III

Day 11: Go five alive

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Video is a storytelling medium, so create a short story using just five shots. Pick an everyday interaction and plan five distinct shots – a quick sketch will do – that show the process from start to finish. Begin with an establishing wide shot so the viewer ‘gets’ what’s happening, add close-ups (hands pouring water, a face reacting), include an over-the-shoulder or other creative angle and finish with a closing shot. Stitch these clips together in your edit. This will get you thinking like a filmmaker about sequencing and narrative.

Day 12: Use Pre-Release Capture to never miss fleeting moments

Says who? Wildlife photographer and Nikon Creator Cam Whitnall

Whether your subject is wildlife or sports, you need to be prepared at any moment for something to happen. With your camera set to Pre-Release Capture mode, you can half depress the shutter button, and when fully depressed up to one second of those buffered images are recorded (pre and post-burst can be set to 30fps or 120fps). It reduces the risk of missing those split-second opportunities, as the camera has already captured several frames leading up to the decisive moment.

Creating depth in street photography with Lucy Hamidzadeh

Lucy Hamidzadeh's tests out the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR for Nikon magazine

Day 13: Explore depth to drive focus

Says who? Street photographer and Nikon Creator Lucy Hamidzadeh

Good street photos are brought to life so much more by framing, beautiful use of light and an awareness of depth and perspective. Create depth by incorporating intruding elements into your image that can create a separation between your midground, foreground or background. Having these layers results in a photo that is more compelling in its storytelling. In the photo above, I used the sea and rocks to create layers, which framed the subject and added a sense of mystery about what the subject looked like.

Day 14: Work with golden hour

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Capture a short outdoor scene (a landscape, street view or even your garden) during golden hour when the ambient light is soft and watch how the colours glow and add a real cinematic feel to your scene. A cloudy day also offers gentle, even light. The goal is to get comfortable adapting to natural light and working in a larger space than your living room. My top tip? Think like a sundial. Where do I want the shadows to fall? Do I want my subject beautifully lit or a silhouette against the sunset? Big narrative difference.

Linus Bergman tests the versatility of the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

Day 15: Go for the nifty-fifty

Says who? Landscape photographer and Nikon Creator Linus Bergman

One lens to rule them all? That’ll be a ‘nifty-fifty’. For today’s challenge, stick to a 50mm focal length and move with your feet instead. A fast 50mm prime, especially, lets you capture in low light, create beautiful, shallow depth-of-field shots and gives you creative control over your background blur. In the long run, this practice helps you understand your camera’s capabilities and enhances your eye for composition. Experimenting with different apertures on the 50mm will also show you how much control you have over depth of field, a skill that’s vital for creative photography.

Day 16: Learn your N-Log from your Pro-Res

Says who? Nikon magazine writer Emma Blackmore

Bit rate. Codec. LUT. If you’re making the move from stills to video, that’s a whole new set of terms to learn. We get it. Happily, we’ve crafted a handy guide to all things technical video language. Set down the camera today and instead read up and embrace the lingo. Then you’ll be celebrating the recent news that exclusive LUTs (that’s lookup tables, similar to editing presets) developed by Nikon and RED are now available free to download. Hurrah.

Dom Salmon manipulates indoor light, plus a behind the scenes filming an interview

Images by Dom Salmon for his Nikon magazine article How to control indoor light

Dom Salmon's accompanying images for Nikon magazine 'How to shoot with light'

A BTS photo of Dom Salmon's Z 6II camera set up with his cage. For the Nikon magazine. Caption can read: Here Dom (check shirt) is recording a podcast with Kerry from wellness consultancy, Together We Breathe and Matt from experimental organisers. Realm at the London shoot location Sourcey) and is using his Z6ii in tandem with the very popular Atomos Ninja V to record the Pod for YouTube. The Ninja is great for cheap, high volume storage recording and a big bright monitor, one less thing thing to worry about! Shot is taken by an Iphone to show the use of a cage

Nikon magazine assets by Dom Salmon. Behind the scenes.

Day 17: Work on the hear and now

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Great video isn’t just about visuals. Sound plays a huge role. Pay special attention to how you capture audio, record a short talking segment (an interview or vlog-style clip) or capture a scene where ambient sound sets the mood (like a rolling river, city street noise or even your cat purring). How did the sound change the video’s impact? If you’re a vlogger, invest in a radio mic to hear dialogue clearer, and remember that a pleasing street rumble might sound like a racket on tape, so a pair of in-ear headphones will help you truly hear what the camera is recording.

Day 18: Try a softbox

Says who? Editor of Nikon magazine Derek Harbinson

Time to manipulate indoor light with softboxes. Anything that can go over a light source to take the sting out of it is effectively a softbox – from Profoto’s pro softboxes to a couple of sheets of tissue paper over a speedlight. As with reflectors, any modifier you can put over a light source is invaluable as it’s always quicker and easier to control a light source you have than to create a new one to add to a scene. Pick up one today, or make one of your own, and see how it affects composition.

Lou Jasmine‘s powerful portraits, with a behind the scenes still by Jarno Schurgers

Day 19: Capture your model’s softness and power

Says who? Fashion and portraiture photographer, director and Nikon Creator Lou Jasmine

Need to elevate your portraits? Angle yourself low to allow more space in the top half of the image. This adds a cinematic composition, making your subject look powerful – more so if they look directly into the camera. Next focus on your model’s natural way of being, then elevate it. A simple ‘put your arm here’ or ‘lean back slightly’ is key here. Look for peaks of natural light to add to the softness and glow of your subject. Keep your aperture wide open and try f/2.8, before widening to f/1.2, if desired.

Day 20: Make smooth moves

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

OK, secret Spielbergs, challenge yourself to execute a smooth camera movement – a slow pan (moving the camera horizontally) or a steady tilt (moving it up or down) – without any jerks or stutters. Walk with your camera to follow a subject (a simple tracking or dolly shot). In-body VR stabilisation will help steady minor shakes, but technique is key: use two hands or a stabilising rig and move as fluidly as possible. Review the footage and notice how a well-executed movement adds a cinematic feel. Mastering smooth camera moves enhances the professional look and involves the viewer in the action.

Close up in the action with Jeremy Ducrot

Macro Photography by Jeremy Ducrot. He shares his tips for getting started with macro photography for Nikon's magazine.

Day 21: Master the art of ultra close-up

Says who? Macro and landscape photographer Jeremy Ducrot

Get to know your spring flora and fauna. To start photographing macro, first learn your lens’ maximum magnification (more on this here). Work out your composition next. When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to zoom in as close as you can get. Sometimes a little distance goes a long way towards bringing some background and atmosphere into your shot, which can help to spotlight your subject. Select a narrow aperture first, such as f/16 or even f/22, before experimenting with wide (f/2.8 or f/4) for out-of-focus highlights.

Day 22: Switch to a prime for sports

Says who? Sports photographer Lukas Schulze

In a creative rut? Try sticking to primes, even at sport or action events where zooms are normally the go-to. Experiment with taking photos with fixed focal lengths that fill the frame as much as possible so that the effect of the wide aperture – such as f/2.8 or 1/8 – is more apparent. If you only have a zoom, stick to one focal length. Remain fluid, switch up your standing position, vary your angles and look for perspectives your viewer wouldn’t expect.

Mikko Lagerstedt‘s nightscapes

Mikko Lagerstedt's images for Nikon magazine

Day 23: Make the grade

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

To elevate your footage from meh to magnificent, start by dialling in your Nikon’s Picture Control settings to get a visually striking feel ‘in-camera’ with a single press. Then, move into recoding in N-Log and grading with LUTs such as the cinematic ones released by RED for Nikon. Go back to other challenges and see how grade changes the story. How does that five-shot story look in mono? And remember that presets (like RED LUTs) are great starting points, but it’s important you grab those sliders and tweak to suit your actual footage.

Day 24: Capture a starry night

Says who? Landscape photographer and Nikon Creator Mikko Lagerstedt

You’ll want to get to know the night sky before the solar maximum this July. To capture the Milky Way, push your camera’s limits with a higher ISO setting – around 3200 to 6400, depending on your camera’s noise performance. Pair this with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) to capture as much light as possible. Keep your shutter speed around 20-30 seconds to avoid star movement turning into trails. A wide-angle lens will allow you to capture the vastness of the sky. This setting brings out the fine details of the Milky Way’s core.

Nikon magazine - Better Portraits faster

Monochrome (edited) versus Monochrome (RAW) and RAW by Nikon Creator Dhan Limwattana

Day 25: Get to know contrast better

Says who? Photographer and photo editor and coach Kristof Göttling

Want to dig deeper with your editing? Understand contrast first. Shake things up by switching your camera’s electronic viewfinder (the screen you hold up to your eye to see the image) to monochrome in Photo Shooting Menu. In black and white, you can understand contrast better, where lighting should go and where the brightest part of the image is. This will help you understand contrast and lighting in Photoshop quicker because you’ll be better equipped to spot the contrast.

Day 26: Experiment with NX Studio

Says who? Nikon magazine writer Emma Blackmore

On the topic of post-production, use today as a chance to get to know NX Studio – Nikon’s own free editing software. With its blend of high power and easy operation, NX studio lets you edit your RAW files and JPEGs. The interface is familiar and intuitive and you have complete control over how your image looks, including altering colour in only chosen areas of an image. Have a go at NX Studio’s built-in movie editor next, and practise trimming clips, splicing them together and adding soundtracks.

Day 27: Use slow-mo dramatics

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Set your camera to its high-speed video mode (up to 120 fps) and film a short clip of fast action – it could be water splashing into a glass, some friends walking (think of Reservoir Dogs’ iconic introduction scene). Kick this off outside as you’ll need plenty of brightness for high frame rates. Then, play it back in slow motion (you may need to slow the clip down in editing). Woah! Even the most mundane things suddenly look epic when seen at quarter speed. You’ll catch details you’d otherwise miss in real time and you’ll get that cinematic slow-mo effect.

Day 28: Unleash your inner content creator

Says who? Videographer and editor Negin Gatavian

You’ve got the content, now it’s time to post. Take time today to research trending topics – content that taps into current events of trends tends to perform better due to its timely nature – and remember that high-quality, engaging content is crucial. This includes visually appealing videos, compelling storytelling and relatable themes. YouTube suits in-depth, informative or entertaining content, while Instagram and TikTok favour shorter, concise videos that deliver value quickly or entertain. Use relevant hashtags and optimise your titles and descriptions for search to enhance visibility.

The 90s are back, baby! Retro look by Dani K Monteiro

Day 29: Elevate your framing

Says who? Fashion photographer and Nikon Ambassador Christian Ammann

Switch-up your go-to focal length today. If you’re looking to upgrade your portraiture, for example, use a focal length of 135mm instead of 85mm or 50mm. While a 50mm focal length can still give you a wide-angle effect and shows more of the background, the 135mm is fantastic for portraits. Pull back and have your subjects smaller to see how it frames your subject neatly. Looking to upgrade your kit? The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena frames your subject like an oil painting – with layers that are separated but not distorted, topped off with beautiful bokeh.

Day 30: Embrace the nostalgia

Says who? Sports photographer and Nikon Creator, Dani K Monteiro

Nostalgia is the biggest trend of 2025, with 1990s and 2000s cultural trends making a resurgence. Apply the ’90s magazine retro look to your action shots by closing down your aperture and using off-camera flash – creating motion and dragging with the flash. Next, photograph your subject against the sun with a bright flash with a fast shutter speed and low ISO. To achieve the nostalgic look in post-production, push contrasts up as much as possible, while bringing down highlights.

Day 31: Create your National Photography Month showreel

Says who? Videographer, photographer and creative director Dom Salmon

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end! Now for the ultimate challenge: a month-long video diary. Stitch together your videos, stills and BTS you’ve created over the last month, arrange them in chronological order, then add music, captions or titles and watch your month unfold on screen. Not only does this get you practising, but it also results in a personal keepsake video celebrating your journey – a fantastic way to see your progress and creativity grow day by day. The only thing to do next is post your video with #NikonNationalPhotographyMonth…

And that’s a wrap. Which one is your favourite?

Opening image from left to right: André Alexander, Dani K Monteiro, Mikko Lagerstedt

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