‘Sporting the unexpected’ with the Nikon Z6III

Nikon Team •Sports & Action •24 Dec 2024•3 min read

A new striking image series by Nikon packs a punch

Rapid burst speeds and extreme weather sealing protection… why not use a camera that has both? To put the new Nikon Z6III through its paces, we asked four sports photographers to swap the monotony of the arena for the unpredictability of nature. The results? ‘Sporting the unexpected’: a series of images that reinvent traditional sports imagery.

So, how did they get on?

A new striking image series by Nikon packs a punch

So, how did they get on?

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z6IIINext level, full-frame camera

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 SSmooth, silent, responsive

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S PlenaFor flawless bokeh

Nikon Z6III + NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR, 15mm, 1/400 sec, f/8, ISO 125, ©Dani K Monteiro

Dani KM

@danikim

Nikon Z6III, NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Thousands of miles away from the neat lawns of Wimbledon, sports and music photographer Dani KM headed to Utah, USA, to snap her tennis star surrounded by salt flats. Contrasting the stark, bright landscape with the precision of the sport, Dani emphasises the athlete’s agility and form against the wide-angle view of the white desert backdrop.

“The Z6III lets me capture every detail in motion,” Dani explains, “turning each swing into a masterpiece against the vastness of the salt flats.” The camera’s dynamic range transforms the unlikely location into a visual spectacle.

Nikon Z6III + NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, 90mm, 1/8000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, ©Anouk Flesch

Anouk Flesh

@anoukflesch

Z6III and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Swapping snow for sand for a skiing photoshoot is a bold idea only photographer Anouk Flesh could pull off. The reportage and sports photographer ventured to the towering sand dunes of Dune du Pilat, near Bordeaux, France, to test the Z6III’s fast autofocus and low-light capabilities. The results? Anouk perfectly freezes the dynamic action of a skier against the golden sands.

“The Nikon Z6III captures every grain of sand in motion, freezing the thrill of desert skiing in perfect clarity,” reveals Anouk. “It was such an exciting photoshoot!” She brought out the subtle textures of the sand and the sharp motion of each skier through the camera’s powerful zoom and low-light capabilities.

Nikon Z6III + NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, 135mm, 1/1250 sec, f/1.8, ISO 500, ©Little Shao

Little Shao

@littleshao

Nikon Z6III and NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

This time, urban photographer Little Shao swapped bustling Paris for an ethereal French forest to contrast the dynamic movement of breaking (also known as breakdancing) with the stillness of nature. Equipped with his trusty NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (he was also one of the first to test this fan favourite), Little Shao put the Z6III’s low-light capabilities through its paces during golden hour, exploring new dimensions of form, shape and texture.

“It was incredible to put the Z6III into practice in such an unusual environment – for me, at least!” says Little Shao. “The camera captures the energy of breaking in the forest’s stillness and low light – every move is so sharp.”

Nikon Z6III + NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, 24mm, 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, ©Ray Demski

Ray Demski

@raydemski

Nikon Z6III, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Thinking outside the box (or should we say ring?), action photographer Ray Demski headed to a mountain cave in Germany to photograph boxing in a darker, more intense setting. Ray relays the raw power and energy of each punch in the shadows, depicting the boxers’ passion amid the eerie allure of the cave and crafting a wider, exhilarating story as a result.

“The Nikon Z6III captures every punch and shadow,” says Ray, “turning the intensity of boxing into art within the cave’s haunting depths.” Look out for his unusual angles and use of light.

Share Options