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An experimental take on greed, technology and unchecked progress, revealing their destructive impact on nature.
“The dynamic anamorphic flares added character and depth to our frames while preserving the beautiful sharpness and detail of the Cooke AP3 lenses.”Chandra Kumar Das, Director of Photography
Lens information:
Lens series: Cooke AP3
Focal Lengths: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm.
Camera: Sony Burano
Format: Digital
Production information:
Directors of Photography: Chandra Kumar Das
DOP Instagram: @The_Magicmoon
DOP Email: c.kumardas147@gmail.com
DOP IMDB: Chandra Kumar Das
Director: Pranab Bharali
Producer: Arnab Bashistha & Chandra Kumar Das
Colorist: Uddipta Kumar Bhattacharya
Production Company: ARN records
Rental Supported By: YojaCreation Studio Assam
As the Director of Photography for Uxaah, shooting with the Cooke AP3 Anamorphic lenses paired with the Sony BURANO was a wonderful experience. Our concept was to portray the dark reality of society and how we continue to pollute and destroy nature, ultimately putting our own survival at risk.
We wanted the visuals to carry a sense of melancholy, reflecting the unsettling relationship between humanity and the natural world.
We shot in a dense jungle, where natural light and shadows created strong contrasts and gave the landscape its own character. Relying entirely on available light, we captured most of our shots under an overcast sky.
This approach helped us achieve the moody atmosphere and contrast we envisioned. At the same time, it preserved the natural colours and textures of the environment. I particularly loved how the Cooke AP3 lenses rendered these elements.
We also filmed at a waste disposal site to capture the harsh reality of environmental destruction. Our aim was to create a raw and unsettling atmosphere that reflected the film’s central message.
The Cooke lenses helped bring out the textures and tonal depth of the location, complementing our visual approach beautifully.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed was the dynamic anamorphic flare. It added character and dimension to our shots while retaining beautiful sharpness and detail.
The lenses’ compact size and lightweight design were also a major advantage. They allowed us to move freely through the locations and capture running shots with greater ease.
Paired with the Sony BURANO, the setup felt beautifully balanced and manageable, especially when shooting handheld and on the move.
Overall, the Cooke AP3 Anamorphic lenses helped us translate our vision into atmospheric, textured images. For me, it was not just about capturing beautiful frames, but about using the character of the lenses to communicate an idea and evoke an emotion.
Chandra Kumar Dasa | Director of Photography.
