About

I’m Karthick Raj ST - a cinematographer and lens-based storyteller driven by instinct, emotion, and a deep love for visual storytelling. I hold a Master’s degree in Visual Communication from Loyola College, with formal cinematography training from Mindscreen Film Institute.
Cinematography is my language. Whether it’s feature films, documentaries, or commercials, I strive to uncover the emotional truth behind every frame.

Vision & Approach

My approach to cinematography is rooted in emotion, instinct, and strong visual design. I strive to capture the soul of a story, embracing bold visual choices and pushing boundaries. This is evident in my debut feature Unfateful, shot entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus with anamorphic lenses. The project became a breakthrough, screening at SmartFone Flick Fest, Lift-Off Global Network, and Cine Pobre Film Festival, before releasing on Plex TV and Amazon Prime USA.

I continued this exploration in the feature film Drive, where I combined naturalistic lighting with rich textures to reflect the psychological weight of the narrative. For the Fujifilm-backed documentary Harmony with Nature, I crafted immersive visuals amid the dense forests of the Andamans.

Alongside this, my long-term lens-based project Invisible Banks combines photography and cinematography to explore themes of migration, resilience, and memory, focusing on the intimate traces of history carried in people’s gestures and spaces.

As a Certified Drone Operator (DGCA License), I bring a dynamic sense of movement and scale — from soaring aerials over the Himalayas to filming just beneath the waves along the Andaman shores. This blend of technical versatility and emotional intuition defines my visual identity.

Mentored by Charlie Lieberman ASC through the ASC Vision Mentorship Program, I’ve grown to see the camera not just as a recording tool, but as a participant in performance — revealing truth through light, space, and rhythm.

Color Training & Grading Expertise

David Briggs’ The Dimensions of Colour:

I had the privilege of studying under David Briggs — a world-renowned color theorist and lecturer at the National Art School in Sydney — through his transformative course. This deep dive into color perception, hue interaction, and visual psychology reshaped how I craft emotion, rhythm, and mood in my storytelling

Darren Mostyn’s Colour Grading Masterclass:

I honed my color grading expertise through Darren Mostyn’s Colour Grading Masterclass — an immersive workshop that sharpened my ability to sculpt tone, contrast, and emotion, elevating each project from initial concept to cinematic pixel perfection.

Projects & Collaborations

🎬 Feature Films

Cinematographer – Drive (Dir. Kishore Kumar G) ( In Post Production)
Cinematographer – Unfateful (Dir. Seby Varghese, Plex TV, Amazon Prime)
Camera Operator – Kadhalikka Neramillai (Dir. Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi | DoP Gavemic Ary)
Camera Operator – Erida (Dir. V. K. Prakash | DoP Loganathan Srinivasan)
Camera Operator – Pattathu Arasan (Dir. A. Sarkunam | DoP Loganathan Srinivasan)

📸 Documentaries & Photography

Cinematographer & Photographer – Invisible Banks (Documentary on Rohingya people)
Cinematographer – Harmony with Nature (Fuji Film Grant-winning doc, Andaman portion)
Photojournalist Intern – The Hindu & Deccan Chronicle

📺 Commercials & Ad Films

Cinematographer – K P Namboodiris, Arokya (Dir. Latha Menon), Hatsun, AVT, Freez Mix
2nd Unit Cinematographer – Parachute (Dir. Rajiv Menon)
Associate Photographer (with Joseph M Daniel) – GRT, TVS, Sri Kumaran Silks, Ceat Tyres
Associate Photographer (with Joseph M Daniel) – Film Posters – Thambi and Sardar