Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro takes centre stage in Diwali film: Camera tips and tricks explained

Apple has collaborated with Indian fashion label Raw Mango for a new Diwali film titled Step into the Light, shot entirely on the iPhone 18 Pro. Directed by Raw Mango founder Sanjay Garg, the film uses dance, traditional textiles and low-light cinematography to explore the festival of lights.

Filmed at Tijara Fort, a restored 19th-century palace in Rajasthan, the campaign features performers dressed in traditional Indian textiles, with choreography combining contemporary and classical influences. Actor Juhi Chawla also makes a cameo appearance.

The film features a folk interpretation of the song Roop Suhana Lagta Hai from the 1994 film The Gentleman, with the central theme built around the transition from darkness into light.

Why the iPhone 18 Pro camera matters here

The film also provides an opportunity to demonstrate Apple's latest camera technology, particularly its performance in challenging lighting conditions.

The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a mechanical variable aperture, allowing users to adjust between f/1.48 and f/4.0. Unlike software-generated background blur, the aperture physically changes how much light enters the camera and influences depth of field.

This becomes particularly relevant when shooting in low-light environments, where balancing bright light sources against darker backgrounds can be challenging.

During our iPhone 18 Pro Max review for The Economic Times we found the variable aperture to be one of the more meaningful camera upgrades, particularly for creators looking for greater control over their photographs and videos.

Apple has also introduced manual controls for shutter speed, focus and white balance within the native Camera app, giving users more flexibility without necessarily relying on third-party applications.

Five photography tips for capturing festive moments

Professional photographer Bobby Roy has shared a few techniques for making better use of the iPhone 18 Pro series during festive celebrations.

Experiment with shutter speed: Faster shutter speeds can freeze moving sparklers or people dancing, while a slower exposure of around one second can produce light trails from fireworks and other moving light sources.

Use manual focus: Rather than allowing the camera to decide what remains sharp, users can focus on individual elements such as the flame of a diya or someone's hands lighting a lamp, while keeping the background softer.

Make use of variable aperture: The wider f/1.48 setting is useful when photographing dimly lit environments. Moving towards f/4 can help produce starburst effects around bright points of light, while also increasing depth of field.

Look beyond the light source: Instead of photographing only a diya or decorative lights, capture how the light falls on faces, reflects off surfaces or creates shadows around a rangoli.

Experiment with perspective: Combining shutter speed, manual focus and aperture adjustments can help make familiar festive scenes look different without requiring additional camera equipment.

These techniques are particularly useful for users who want greater creative control over their photographs rather than relying entirely on automatic camera processing.

What about the iPhone Duo?

Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, takes a different approach to photography.

Its folding design allows the device to be positioned on a flat surface for hands-free photographs and videos. The Duo Preview feature also lets subjects see themselves on the outer display while being photographed using the rear cameras.

This can be particularly useful for family photographs, group selfies and recording celebrations without someone having to remain behind the camera.

During our "iPhone Duo review on The Economic Times" we found its cameras capable, particularly for everyday photography and video recording. However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto camera remains a limitation compared with the iPhone 18 Pro series.

The folding design does offer practical advantages, especially for hands-free recording, although conventional smartphone tripod accessories may not always accommodate its wider form factor.

The bigger picture

Apple's latest Diwali campaign is another example of how smartphone manufacturers are increasingly using professional productions to demonstrate camera capabilities.

But beyond the campaign, the more relevant development is the level of manual control now available on smartphones.

Features such as adjustable aperture, shutter speed and manual focus give users more flexibility to experiment with photography, particularly in situations where automatic camera settings may not produce the desired result.

And while professional productions still depend heavily on lighting, composition and the people behind the camera, the technology available on a smartphone is becoming increasingly capable.