Seeing double: make the most of Nikon Image Cloud Recipes with these photography challenges

Nikon Imaging Cloud recipe: Vintage Film

Photographer: Ludwig Favre

Best for: Streetscapes and architecture

Photo Finish Challenge: Closeups

What does Vintage Film do?

Inspired by my childhood love of film photography, this recipe creates a sense of nostalgia, but also places architecture in context, turning static structures into living spaces shaped by people. It works especially well with smaller apertures (f/8 to f/11), keeping lines and people sharply defined, and it excels in harsh midday light, where contrast becomes bold and graphic.

How did you find the Photo Finish Challenge?

Drawn to the calmness of my cat, I wanted to convey its warmth and stillness, and was surprised how beautifully the recipe interacted with its texture, softening contrast without losing detail. It allowed the fine structure of the fur to remain present, while the warmer tonal bias enhanced the natural colour palette, and subtle shifts in the midtones and highlights added a gentle, nostalgic character that felt organic rather than stylised. Ultimately, this challenge has changed how I use the recipe. I won’t restrict it to cityscapes.

How can photographers make the most of this recipe?

For closeups, I’d prioritise soft, directional natural light and avoid strong contrasts. For composition, allow texture and tonal relationships to carry the image rather than relying on strong lines or dramatic framing. For portraits, I recommend using a light source such as a flash or any soft, controlled light to achieve a more natural result.

Ludwig’s challenge for readers:

Use Vintage Film to photograph an everyday subject at home using only natural light. Get close, simplify the composition and focus on texture and tone rather than the subject itself. Use soft light – early morning or late afternoon – and observe how the recipe transforms the familiar into something quietly timeless.

Nikon Imaging Cloud recipe: Winter Hues

Photographer: Eeva Mäkinen

Best for: Winter landscapes

Photo Finish Challenge: Wildlife

What does Winter Hues do?

In Finland, the winter light creates soft pink and golden skies, almost like a fairytale. I wanted everyone to be able to experience that, so the recipe highlights these special winter tones and creates a strong yet natural contrast between the main colours.

How did you find the Photo Finish Challenge?

What surprised me most was how naturally the recipe worked on a portrait subject without pink tones. It brought out the contrast and tones of the red squirrel beautifully, without feeling artificial, and it showed me that if the light and mood are right Winter Hues can be used in other genres, too.

How can photographers make the most of this recipe?

For landscapes, the best results are achieved during the winter months, but choose a clear sky or one that has minimal cloud cover so that the light can fully develop. Bonus tip: the colder the air, the more beautiful the result.

Eeva’s reader challenge:

This recipe isn’t just great for snow scenes. Soft light and pastel tones appear in lots of places, including sunrises and sunsets, especially before the sun rises and after it has set. But I always find it interesting how everyone just aims directly towards the sun and no one thinks about the pink sky behind them. So my challenge is this: use Winter Hues and capture the pink sky. Focus purely on colour and mood instead of the subject.