Frame By Frame Inspiration: Top 7 Visually Stunning Movies In 2023

Filmmaking is constantly evolving, and 2023 has surprised us with the most visually stunning movies, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technological prowess. Have you ever wondered how watching movies can unlock a treasure trove of inspiration and techniques to infuse your work with cinematic flair and storytelling?

Today, we want to show, using the example of 7 visually stunning films, how easy it is to be inspired by the works of colleagues from the field of cinematography to create your own unique and aesthetic pictures. Look at these films not just as stories but more as living, breathing visual experiences, and develop the habit of not just contemplating the beautiful but also seeing and reproducing it.

How to Find Inspiration in Movies

Cinematic masterpieces have long inspired photographers, offering a rich tapestry of visual storytelling, composition, and mood. Drawing from film, photographers can glean valuable insights and techniques to elevate their craft. We have for you some common tips:

• Movies excel in narrative storytelling through visuals. Learn to compose shots to convey a story or emotion effectively. Seek narratives within frames. 

• Directors and cinematographers meticulously compose their shots to create striking visuals. Study framing techniques, leading lines, and the rule of thirds employed in films to enhance your compositions.

• Films often use lighting, color grading, and set design to establish mood and atmosphere. Experiment with these elements to evoke specific emotions in your pictures.

• Filmmakers capture the essence of characters through close-ups and character-driven shots. Apply similar techniques to create powerful and expressive portraits. 

• Films often employ color schemes to convey themes and emotions. Use color theory to enhance photos and create visually compelling images.

• Experiment with cinematic effects like lens flares, bokeh, and long exposures inspired by the visual tricks employed in movies. 

• Films span various genres with unique visual language. Exploring different film genres can inspire you to diversify your styles and experiment with new approaches. 

Movie 1: Oppenheimer

The film "Oppenheimer" directed by Christopher Nolan, has become a cinematic masterpiece that can be a great source of inspiration for photographers. It is a biographical drama centered around J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the key figures in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. The film's historical setting, costumes, and props offer a rich visual palette reminiscent of the mid-20th century. You can draw inspiration from this historic aesthetic and explore vintage and retro photography styles.

Christopher Nolan is known for his mastery of cinematic lighting techniques. Try using film lighting tips to experiment with dramatic lighting scenarios in portraits and scenes in your photos.

The movie's characters, played by talented actors, provide an opportunity for character-driven portraiture. Study the film's expressions, emotions, and character development to create compelling and storytelling portraits of your models.

Look for inspiration in the film's period-specific settings, props, and locations to create authentic and immersive photographic narratives.

Movie 2: The Creator

The movie "The Creator" is another source of inspiration for photographers. Directed by a renowned filmmaker, Gareth Edwards, the film offers a fresh perspective on creativity. This film can inspire you to experiment with extraordinary lighting, compositions, and post-processing methods. 

For impressive post-processing of photos in the style of this film, the Neon Photo Filter from the popular Luminar Neo editor is perfect. Futuristic night city scenery can also be created with AI Light Effect. Look around after watching this movie, and you will find many places that can be used for filming. At the same time, you will need a minimum of props and your imagination for post-processing, and Luminar Neo, with its AI functions, will help you turn all ideas into reality.

Movie 3: Napoleon

In this film, filmmaker Ridley Scott gives us incredible pictures of landscapes, costumes, atmosphere, and characters. All this must be used in creative photography.

Breathtaking landscapes, dramatic storytelling, and intricate period details give fresh lighting, composition, and storytelling perspectives. The film's historical setting and character-driven narrative can encourage you to explore the art of portrait photography and historical reenactments, bringing the past to life through your lens.

This movie inspires us to experiment with various visual styles, from intimate character moments to capturing epic battle scenes. Attention to detail and dedication to recreating the past remind us of the importance of precision and meticulous planning in photography.

When shooting details, costumes, and portraits, pay attention to the atmosphere of the shots you want to convey. To do this, experiment with Low ISO vs High ISO to find the best way to convey the idea and emphasize the authenticity of your scene.

Movie 4: Killers Of The Flower Moon

The movie is a visual masterpiece with compelling storytelling, directed by the iconic filmmaker Martin Scorsese and featuring a star-studded cast. Photographers can draw inspiration from several aspects of the film: cinematic beauty, historical storytelling, character portraits, mood and atmosphere, and narrative sequences.

The film skillfully depicts beautiful landscapes, selected details of the era, and a rich color palette. Use this film aesthetic to create your compositions. Try yourself in the art of documentary and historical photography. Look for inspiration in portrait photography that reveals the characters' character and values. This film teaches you how to use light, frame, and color gradation techniques to evoke emotion in your work.

To achieve a similar style, we recommend using HDR filters in post-processing. Luminar has an intuitive interface with the necessary settings. HDR in photography can play a big role in enhancing the desired story in the picture.

Movie 5: Dungeons & Dragons

The film "Dungeons & Dragons" presents an exciting opportunity to inspire photographers in several ways.

The film is known for its rich and imaginative fantasy settings, stunning landscapes, mythical creatures, and epic adventures. You can draw inspiration from these fantastical elements to create their own magical and otherworldly images.

The movie's diverse cast of characters, each with unique personalities and appearances, can inspire portrait photography. Explore character-driven portraiture, focusing on capturing the essence of their subjects.

Fantasy films often employ creative lighting techniques to enhance the mystical and dramatic atmosphere. Learn from the film's lighting setups and apply similar strategies to add drama and intrigue to your photos.

The elaborate costumes and intricate props in "Dungeons & Dragons" inspire interest in fashion and conceptual photography. Exploring costume design, makeup, and prop styling can create visually striking images.

Fantasy films often feature epic battle scenes. If you are interested in action or sports, photography can find inspiration in capturing dynamic and intense moments, whether in staged scenarios or real-life events.

Movie 6: The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes

"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" also offers a wealth of inspiration for photographers in various ways, such as dystopian aesthetics, character portraits, storytelling, costume and makeup design, action and movement, nature and wilderness, contrast and symbolism and a lot more.

The "Hunger Games" franchise shows a dystopian world filled with poverty and luxury life contrasts. Use this stark divide and explore themes of social issues, inequality, and urban decay to display them in your art. Film characters could be used as inspiration for portraiture, capturing the essence of individuals in their photographs. Pay attention to the film's visual narrative techniques, such as framing, composition, and lighting. Explore creative costume design and makeup artistry and try to reproduce similar images. 

If you enjoy landscape or wildlife photography, you can draw inspiration from natural landscapes to create captivating outdoor photos. The contrast between the Capitol and the districts in the "Hunger Games" universe offers opportunities to explore symbolism, juxtaposition, and social commentary in your art.

Movie 7: John Wick: Chapter 4

It is the most visually appealing film in the John Wick franchise and one of the most eye-popping films 2023. It is a great opportunity to study the alternation of radically warm with completely cold shades of shots. A Monochrome Filter from Luminar will help you achieve this effect in post-processing. 

As for the inspiration from this tape, in addition to the colorful narratives, you can follow the staging of the fight scenes and recreate similar dynamic shots with your models. The "tough guy" aesthetic, with his character and values, can also be conveyed in your pictures. You could see shots of different photographers repeating the scenes from the movie "Leon Killer," where the main character, his plant, and the rescued girl walk through the city or sit in an atmospheric shot. Try to recreate similar scenes from the movie "John Wick: Chapter 4". For example, depict a character with his pet or a dramatic scene with his friends.

Bottom Line

A selection of the most visually stunning movies can be continued even further because 2023 was rich in successful films. We've told you just 7 visually appealing movies that you could use to get inspired and learn new techniques and styles. Each can ignite photographers' imaginations, encouraging them to explore the realms of fantasy, storytelling, character, and creativity in their photography. It serves as a reminder that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, including the magical worlds of cinema.

Open up new horizons for yourself and accept any challenges of your imagination because by editing photos with Luminar Neo, you will get the desired result on any visual story.