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"Every Moment, Fully Powered with OLA" (Onam Theme)
“I chose the S7/i series for its inherent "Cooke Look": an organic texture and a flattering rendition of skin tones necessary for a project focused on the warmth of families.”Raymond Samuel Noronha, Director of Photography
Lens information:
Lens series: S7/i
Camera: Arri Mini LF
Format: Digital
Production information:
Directors of Photography: Raymond Samuel Noronha
DOP Instagram: @raymondsamuelnoronha
Client – @olaelectric
Director – Daksesh D Velu @dakseshdv
DOP – Raymond Noronha @raymondsamuelnoronha @luminproductions
Associate Cinematographer – Pranav Krishnan @pranav_kk23
Producer- Prashanth Chandrasekhar @prashanthchandrasekhar
Line producer/ Art director – Vidya Sree @withyaaa__
Manager/ Chief strategist – Divya D @missselfsabotage_
1st AD – @tarun_kapoor10
2nd AD – @mspawanclicks
3rd AD – @naimatnagaria
Spot Editor – @anuraj_rajasekharan
Drone – @sayoojsuresh_
Make-up artist – @reshma_omanakuttann
Music Director – Timothy Ragland @timmy_ragland Sfx and Mix/Master – Denis Nikhil @dennis_nikhil
Editor – Daksesh D Velu
DI – Yash @coloristyash
Gimbal Operator Jishnu @jis__h_n_u____j_h_n
Focus Puller Vishnu @vishnu__vichu__official
Production Agency – Lumin Productions collaboration with craftsmenInc @craftsmeninc.productions
The visual philosophy for this project, capturing the Onam harvest festival, was to create a look that felt warm, cozy, and fun. The equipment choices: the Cooke S7/i lenses paired with the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF were essential to achieving this emotional resonance.
Choice, Philosophy, and The Cooke Look
I chose the S7/i series for its inherent “Cooke Look”: an organic texture and a flattering rendition of skin tones necessary for a project focused on the warmth of families.
The most crucial technical rationale was achieving a specific color separation for the festival’s vibrant attire and decorations. Cooke glass is known for its subtle dampening of the red wavelength. This decision allowed the brilliant gold and white of the traditional Kasavu garments to pop and retain fidelity against the festive backdrop, preventing the image from being overwhelmed by red or magenta casts. This careful color handling was the key to unlocking the project’s visual “pop” while maintaining overall warmth.
Large Format and Focal Length Insight
The ARRI ALEXA Mini LF’s Large Format sensor provided the necessary immersive quality. The expanded frame size allowed us to include more environmental detail while still using the ultra-shallow depth of field unique to LF, creating a dimensional, almost 3D image.
Practice and Result:
In challenging festival environments, the S7/i performed superbly. When shooting into bright sources, such as the Ola LED headlight, the lenses produced a natural, organic lens flare that added texture without being harsh or “over the top.” It contributed to the authenticity and the fun atmosphere.
The final image successfully blends the high-resolution capacity and dynamic range of the Mini LF with the soulful, emotional tenderness of the Cooke S7/i, resulting in a look that feels felt, not just seen…a perfect representation of the celebratory spirit of Onam.
Raymond Samuel Noronha| Director of Photography
