Red Label Onam Commercial - Togetherness captured with Cooke SP3

Lens Information
Lens series: SP3
Focal Lengths: 18, 25, 32, 50, 75, 100mm.

Production information:
Directors of Photography: Kaushal Shah
DOP Email: kaushalcine@gmail.com
DOP Instagram: Kaushal_dp
DOP Vimeo: Kaushal Shah

Director: Manoj Pillai 
Produced By: Absolute Productions 
Colorist: Juan Manuel Martos
Product Company Name:  RED LABEL TEA

DOP’s Perspective

“For me, lenses are never just about technical precision… they’re about how they make people feel on screen. I wanted lenses that could bring in texture, a bit of grit, something that carries honesty, but at the same time, I needed them to be flattering for skin and faces. That balance is very difficult to achieve, and that’s why the Cooke SP3 became such a natural choice for me on this film.

What I love most about the SP3 is how it adds character without being overwhelming. It gives me that slightly textural, not-too-clean look, while still preserving beautiful skin tones. It has this subtle way of keeping the image alive never flat, never clinical. The way it responds to highlights, the way its bokeh feels those little details all add up to create a look that feels deeply cinematic and human at the same time.

On a practical level, I also really appreciate the SP3’s design. It’s compact, easy to handle, and the mechanics just work seamlessly on set. I’ve shot many commercials with this lens set now, and every time it has delivered both reliability and character, which is such a rare combination.

For me, the SP3 has become more than just another lens option… it’s my go-to choice whenever I want a touch of texture, warmth, and emotion in the frame. It brings exactly the kind of feel I look for in my images, and that’s why I keep going back to it.”