Alex Disenhof, ASC, recently nominated for both ASC and BSC Awards for his cinematography on TASK, is a highly respected cinematographer whose work spans award-winning feature films, television series and commercials. His recent credits include working as cinematographer on the critically acclaimed HBO limited series TASK and Amazon’s epic production The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

A passionate storyteller, Alex thrives in collaborative environments and believes that respect, empathy and kindness are just as important as artistic excellence on every project he undertakes. These values sit at the heart of TASK, an emotionally complex crime drama that balances darkness with tenderness, and realism with moments of quiet poetry.

A Quiet, Human Approach

At its most basic level, TASK follows two men on opposite sides of the law, moving towards an inevitable collision. Beneath that, however, the series is a meditation on family and on how people confront trauma, loss and forgiveness. “There are moments of violence and darkness,” Alex explains, “but they’re interwoven with lightness and poetry.”

To hold this delicate balance, Alex worked closely with director Jeremiah Zagar to develop what they described as a ‘quiet’ handheld style. Operated by Stew Cantrell and Shawn Sundby, the camera has a subtle breath of life, remaining present without drawing attention to itself.

Lighting was approached with the same sense of restraint. Alex favoured practical sources and large, soft light through windows, aiming for honesty and authenticity rather than visual flourish. By keeping the floor as open as possible, the actors were free to move and perform without being distracted by the inherent artifice of the photographic process.

Choosing Lenses with Character

Shot on the ARRI Alexa Mini LF, the series benefitted from the larger sensor, which suited Jeremiah’s fondness for medium-format portraiture. After testing a wide range of options, the team settled on the TLS Canon FD and Canon K35 lenses.

“These lenses simply felt right for the story,” says Alex. “Each lens has its own personality.” That sense of variation and imperfection helped soften the digital image, lending the series an organic quality that supported its emotional tone.

Depth, Flares and Emotional Emphasis

Alex aimed for a consistent t-stop throughout the series to create a sense of visual coherence across episodes. “I try to light to a consistent t-stop for a feeling of consistency across the show,” he explains. “This also means that when I do change the stop to manipulate depth of field for certain story moments, it stands out more.”

Typically, Alex kept the lighting at T2.8, but for specific scenes he would go wide open. “More character is introduced in the lens, and the shallow depth can augment the feeling of isolation or disorientation,” he says. He also used the lenses’ flare characteristics creatively: by adjusting the stop, he could manipulate how the lenses flared, applying this in key moments, particularly during the more poetic parts of the story.

Built for Real-World Production

TASK was a heavily location-based production, requiring equipment that could perform reliably in a wide range of conditions. The size and speed of the TLS-rehoused lenses proved invaluable, whether shooting on cold Pennsylvania nights in March, during hot August days, underwater, or on drones.

“They handled everything,” Alex notes. “The rehousing allowed us to move quickly and efficiently throughout the shoot.”

A Defining Moment

One sequence in episode one clearly illustrates how the personality of the lenses became part of the storytelling. A montage shows the three anti-heroes swimming and cliff-jumping at their local quarry, capturing a moment of joy, freedom and connection.

“We wanted the audience to feel their love of life and for each other,” says Alex, “so that when things eventually go wrong, you feel that loss more acutely.” The lenses’ warm flares and soft rendering helped give the sequence its timeless quality, firmly establishing the visual identity of the series.

Through a restrained visual approach, honest lighting and the distinctive character of the TLS Canon FD and Canon K35 lenses, TASK achieves a look that feels intimate, grounded and emotionally truthful. By embracing subtle imperfections and prioritising performance, Alex crafted a visual language that quietly supports the story, allowing its human complexity to remain front and centre.

Discover More

You can find out more about Alex Disenhof, ASC on his website (https://www.alexdisenhof.com/) or instagram page: @alexdisenhof_asc

Learn how TLS can help you preserve and enhance your cinema lenses. Contact us on +44 (0) 1455 848 411 or Sales@truelens.co.uk