Concept Board: Cinematic Cafe Escapism

 

Featuring: Anastasia | Date: Saturday, Feb 28 @ 14:30

 

Meet the Photographer

Hey, my name is Raghul Shanmuganathan

Hi, I’m Raghul. I am a photographer based in the Öresund region (Malmö/CPH) with an obsession for cinematic visuals. I work in tech full-time and am currently following my artistic passion more seriously.


My background in photography didn't start in a pristine, perfectly lit studio. It started out in the wild, capturing unpredictable wildlife, harsh Nordic landscapes, casual portraits for friends, and bold architecture. That foundation taught me how to read natural light and find beauty in deep shadows.


Today, I bring that same dramatic, atmospheric style to human subjects. I don’t shoot light, airy, pastel photos. I shoot moody, high-contrast images that feel like a movie. When I am not behind the camera, you can usually find me building in the tech world or planning my next conceptual shoot.

Get in touch

The Muse & Creator: Anastasia

The Vibe: A versatile artist stepping into the frame to bring genuine, authentic energy to the concept. Her background in charcoal, graphite, and portraiture means she isn't just "posing"—she is actively creating in the space.


The Connection: Deeply tied to the nostalgic, analog aesthetic, utilizing her granddad's vintage Zenit camera and wearing earthy, textural pieces like translucent amber jewelry.


The Role: Simply to exist, unwind, and create in a cozy cafe setting. No modeling experience required, because the best cinematic shots happen in the unscripted, quiet moments of focus.

Anastasia Drewzina

Artist & Muse

 

The Core Vision

 

 

This shoot is a visual study of "simple escapism." We are creating a rustic, warm, and highly textural atmosphere that feels like a still frame from a moody indie film. The focus is on the quiet, intimate energy of an artist in her element—surrounded by vintage wood, warm practical lights, and the raw texture of charcoal on paper.

 

The Color Palette

 

  • Espresso & Amber: The warm, grounding tones of the cafe's wooden tables, the coffee, and the translucent glow of the amber jewelry catching the window light.
  • Deep Crimson / Rust: A striking, cinematic pop of color against the dark, moody background.
  • Charcoal & Shadow: Deep, rich blacks and grays that provide high-contrast, chiaroscuro lighting.

 

Wardrobe & Styling

The Look: Black top paired with the long skirt (incorporating black, brown, and orange elements).


The Details: Amber jewelry to catch the natural window light and add a high-end, textural glow.


The Backup (Optional): The jeans, black turtleneck, and red & black shirt for a quick, casual second look.

Props & Storytelling Elements

The Medium: Sketchbook and charcoal/graphite pencils. (We will capture the actual motion and texture of the sketching process!).


The Analog Touch: Your granddad's vintage Zenit camera. We will use this for some beautiful, nostalgic macro shots and reflections.


The Narrative Anchor: A physical book (preferably vintage, hardback, or with a textured cover). This adds a layer of quiet intellect to the scene and gives you something natural to interact with while relaxing at the table.


The Atmosphere: A rustic ceramic coffee mug to ground the scene.

The Cinematic Shots (What to Expect)

  • The Voyeur: Shot from outside the cafe, looking in through the glass while you are completely absorbed in your sketching, playing with street reflections.
  • The Ghost of the Artist: A long-exposure shot where your face is perfectly still, but your hand shading with the charcoal becomes a chaotic, artistic blur.
  • The Fragmented Details: Extreme, artistic close-ups of your hands blending the charcoal, the amber rings, and the vintage Zenit camera lens.
  • The Quiet Chapter: A candid, documentary-style shot of you deeply engrossed in reading, completely ignoring the camera while bathed in the warm window light.
  • The Playful Gaze: An intimate, tight close-up where the open book covers the lower half of your face, leaving only your eyes visible and focused playfully on the lens. We will use the 30mm f/1.4 lens here to make your eyes tack-sharp while the text on the book gently blurs out!
  • The Polaroid: We will also be shooting a few physical Polaroids throughout the session to capture that raw, authentic vintage feel!
The gear & why

The Body: Canon EOS M50 Mark II


The Why: In a quiet, intimate cafe, bringing massive, intimidating camera gear ruins the vibe. This camera is compact, unobtrusive, and acts as a "quiet observer." It allows us to capture high-end, editorial-quality images without disrupting the natural, cozy atmosphere of the room.


The Glass: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Lens


The Why: This is the ultimate cinematic storytelling lens. Because it opens up to f/1.4, it acts like a sponge for natural light, meaning we don't need to use harsh, artificial flashes in the dark cafe. More importantly, it creates incredibly shallow depth-of-field—meaning Anastasia and her sketches will be tack-sharp, while the rest of the cafe melts away into beautiful, dreamy blur (bokeh).


The Instant Magic: Polaroid Camera


The Why: Digital photography is beautiful, but it can sometimes feel too perfect. Polaroids are raw, immediate, and wonderfully imperfect. We are bringing this to capture a few tangible, vintage moments right at the table, blending perfectly with the analog aesthetic of the shoot.

Practical Details & Checklist

When & Where?

  • Date: Saturday, February 28
  • Time: 14:30
  • Location: Katrinetorp Landeri, Katrinetorps allé 1, 215 74 Malmö (Google Maps)


What I am bringing (Raghul)?

  • The Digital Cinema Gear: Canon M50 Mark II & Sigma 30mm lens to capture the high-end editorial shots.
  • The Analog Magic: Polaroid camera and fresh film so you have physical, tangible photos to take home right away!
  • Books: We shall use these books for our shoot as a prop.
  • The Paperwork: A quick standard TFP (Time for Portfolio) & GDPR consent form for us to sign over our first coffee

What you are bringing (Anastasia)?

  • The Wardrobe: The black top, long skirt, and that beautiful translucent amber jewelry. (Plus the jeans, turtleneck, and red/black shirt as a quick backup option!)
  • The Props: Your sketchbook, charcoal/graphite pencils, and your granddad's vintage Zenit camera.
  • The Vibe: Just bring yourself and your creative energy! No modeling experience required. We are just going to hang out, drink coffee, and make some art.

How long does it take to get our photos?

For a shoot like this, I’d say roughly 1.5 to 2 hours is the sweet spot. That gives us plenty of time to be creative and try different angles without feeling rushed.