What first sparked your interest in cinematography and set you on this creative path?
It all started when I was a kid, watching films with my father — Satyajit Ray, Harry Potter, Disney, DreamWorks. I've loved telling stories since I was in the third grade, and somewhere along the way, I found photography through watching my father and uncle. That became my way of expressing stories in unique visual languages. Christopher Nolan, Satyajit Ray, Denis Villeneuve, Srijit Mukherjee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg are my biggest inspirations. I watch their films along with behind-the-scenes content and interviews, learning as much as I can. Photography is now my daily habit, though I rarely share it on social media — I'm a bit shy and still trying to figure out how the algorithm works!
Can you recall a specific moment or project that made you realize cinematography was your calling?
There was a moment while I was writing a screenplay for one of my short films. I was about to take a rehearsal shot, and that's when it hit me: I have a deep connection with cinematography because I can tell stories with frames alone. Even dialogue isn't necessary to describe a scene — the visual language speaks for itself. That realization was powerful and confirmed this was my path.
How has your approach to visual storytelling evolved since you first started?
I'm still learning, honestly. I look up to the greats — Hoyte van Hoytema, Roger Deakins, Greig Fraser, Autumn Durald Arkapaw — and I constantly study their work. My goal is to be among them one day. Every frame I shoot teaches me something new, and I'm trying to absorb as much as I can from their mastery of light, composition, and emotion.
What equipment or gear do you rely on most for your cinematography work?
Right now, I'm a student who just finished 12th grade, and I only have a mobile phone — the Infinix Note 40X — to shoot videos. I do have access to my father's DSLR, but it's from 2015-16, so the video quality and features are quite outdated. Still, I've learned to work with what I have, and it's pushed me to be more creative with limited resources.
Walk us through one of your most visually stunning shots — what techniques or lighting did you use to achieve that look?
It was a daytime scene with two siblings playing by themselves, and I was trying to capture a simple moment. Then I noticed how the natural light filtering through the leaves was creating a dramatic, almost cinematic atmosphere. The interplay of shadows and sunlight added depth and emotion. While filming, I managed to grab a few still frames that really captured that magic.
What was the mood or story you aimed to convey in that short video clip you shared?
I had just rewatched Interstellar and Oppenheimer, so I was in that contemplative headspace. One afternoon, while waiting for my father in the garage, I noticed a beam of light coming through a small hole. I casually tried to capture it, and this clip is the result — it felt like a quiet, cinematic moment where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Explain the color grading choices you made in that before-and-after grading example.
Since everything was done entirely on my phone, I faced challenges with poor quality. But I zoomed in to focus on the subject, stabilized the contrast, balanced the light carefully, and used color wisely to enhance the mood. It's all about making the most of what you have.
Why is this particular shooting location or set special to you?
Whenever I shoot something, each location tells me something different. This one in particular has a way of revealing new perspectives every time I frame a shot — it's never the same story twice.
How did you work with the available light to capture that mood in your natural-light shot?
I've learned to work with what I don't have — and maybe that pushes me to rely more on natural elements. By observing how light falls and changes throughout the day, I let it guide my compositions. It's a meditative process that forces me to be patient and attentive.
What was the most challenging aspect of setting up that behind-the-scenes shot?
The road was busy, and I had to be incredibly patient to get the right frame. There were constant disturbances — people, vehicles, noise — but that taught me the value of waiting for the perfect moment when everything aligns.
Contact and Follow
Email: sovionfilms@gmail.com
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