  We discuss production of $J/\psi$ and $e^+ e^-$ pairs in semicentral and
peripheral collisions of heavy ions at high energies. We focus on
photoproduction mechanism. We present explanation of results of the ALICE
collaboration for low transverse momentum production of $J/\psi$ as well as
results obtained by the STAR collaboration for $e^+ e^-$ production, also at
low transverse momenta. We conclude that such effects are important also in
this new corner (semi-central processes) of the phase space.
