Cinematography is to filmmaking what extra cheese is to pizza lovers.

Cinematography, an important part of storytelling, often speak more than dialogues in a scene. Imagine the train scene in Ray’s Panther Panchali and how years later we still remember it. Cinematographers appeal to the aesthetic side of the moviegoers. Whether they are creating indoor hustle like in the bathtub scene in American Beauty or using nature as the backdrop, there are films that are mesmerising.

Here are a few movies to pinch the visual artist in you.

1. In the mood for Love:

Wong Kar Wai’s stunning palette and smoky hues, this movie delivers raw emotions in every lighting, shot and in characters. The storyline might be a bit too familiar but once you set eyes on the crowded interiors replete with colours you will be surprised how every light and technical cue made each shot a brilliance. Match it with the openness, rain drizzled street with vibrant streetlamp and the repressed characters, you will fall in love with it.

2. Bladerunner 2049:

Roger Deakins’ latest baby Bladerunner makes it a stunner film to watch. Deakins’ use of colour palette, use of natural lighting is what sets Deakins apart. Bladerunner 2019, though set in the future, the visuals leap out of the scene but also calms our senses. Let’s say: Deakins’ No country for old men and 1917 are proof what Deakins’ brilliance is fearless.

3. Birdman:

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman has been shot in such a way the whole movie looks like one uninterrupted shot. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki crafts the genius film with fine cuts during pans, white outs, using wide angle lenses and using “extended takes”. The result is an incredible storytelling.

4. The Grand Budapest Hotel:

It’s Wes Anderson’s talent that make The Grand Budapest Hotel such a stellar watch. The genre is comedy-drama and Anderson has carefully used the colour palette to establish the storytelling. The bird’s eye view of the Concierge, or the numerous elevator scenes, or Agatha’s close-up shot with the background grows out of focus – all crafted by Anderson.

5. The Tree of Life:

Terrence Mallick’s Tree of Life uses the great outdoors and the grandeur of nature and natural light to suggest the growth of family and individuals and the camera works too close to capture a personal moment. Mallick and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki planned each shot together. The inverted shadow shot over the streets points at the Texan neighbourhood, capturing details of life we otherwise miss.