Best Visuals : Michael Bay vs Christopher Nolan vs Cameron vs Ridley Scott vs Whedon

[srinivas1015]

Who in you opinion is the best when it comes to visuals? My vote goes to Michael Bay. He can make the most mundane environments look beautiful with lighting,color grading and the usage of shadows. Only he can make a guy walking in a murky tunnel one of the most beautiful scenes ever..the lighting,the shadows, altering the frame-rates,color grading and editing...this scene is a masterpiece :

Final scene of "The Island" - YouTube

[Monolithium]

Purely based on visuals, Bay is the best. Revenge of the Fallen was a clusterfrak of a film, but damn if it didn't look absolutely amazing.

[bluballer]

They each have their strengths

Bay - sensationalistic, larger than life
Nolan - gritty, realistic, often dark
Cameron - grand, sweeping, pushing the envelope

Overall, I like Cameron's visuals the most.

[duggie walker]

You do realise that the only lighting cameraman there is Ridley Scott, don't you?

None of the others have ever shot or lit their own films, as far as I know. So the answer is Ridley Scott.

As I said on the other thread, you don't know what it is that a director does. Which is why you hold Michael Bay in such high regard.

[Galactus]

I only like one of his movies but I gotta give it to James Cameron.

[oberth127]

Ridley Scott by far.

[CZAR]

I probably like Michael Bay the best out of these directors but every time James Cameron drops a film its usually ahead of its time visually so Ill go with him. Got Em!!

[Foggy]

Probably Nolan forgoing out of his way to get a film as physical as possible. Scott a close second, Cameron then after for his earlier films, then Bay because he blows shit up real good. Wheaton last mainly because Avengers had some really tacky editing effects and camera angles, he's yet to fully mature.

[Drewza89]

Ridley Scott could have died after making Blade Runner and he would still win this poll based on that movie alone. Nolan might not even be a filmmaker if Blade Runner didn't exist. I don't think some of you guys realize how influential that film was/is.

[dallywhitty]

Ridley Scott has directed some of the most visually stunning films I've seen. James Cameron's films look nice, but I don't think they look extraordinary (and that goes for Avatar, too - it's pretty, but it doesn't have the wow factor that Blade Runner does). Although I commend Christopher Nolan for using as little CGI as possible and for shooting on film, I think his films look bland for the most part. I can't claim to have seen anything directed by Michael Bay or Joss Whedon.

[Kaiju]

This is really tough. Visually, Bay knows what to do... when it comes to everything else though, every other contender does it better. If that makes any sense haha.

For me, it's somewhat of a tie between Bay and Cameron, but since I enjoy Cameron's films a lot more, I might have to go with him.

[beadelf]

based on visuals alone...always going to be Ridley scott!

[Monkey]

Really needs more choices. Tarsem Singh should be there for The Fall and The Cell. Alex Proyas and some others as well could be on the list.

[Mr.Twinks]

J. Cameron...imagine if he did the Transformers series. I like Bay but these movies could have been much better! I have to mention Ridley because of his break through movies like Alien, Bladerunner and the visuals in Prometheus are top notch!

[L-Rouge]

Cameron for Mine, Scott there or there abouts. I just look to the bench marks of Terminator 1&2, The Abyss, Titanic and even Avatar, they really push in a technological sense.

[Kryptonic]

Bay knows two things about visuals - jack and shit. He stole his entire aesthetic from Tony Scott. Ridley Scott, Cameron, and Nolan are the best of the bunch. Whedon is anemic visually and has only made two films. I voted for Scott.

[bootsy]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Bay knows two things about visuals - jack and shit. He stole his entire aesthetic from Tony Scott. Ridley Scott, Cameron, and Nolan are the best of the bunch. Whedon is anemic visually and has only made two films. I voted for Scott.

I agree. I voted for Cameron but I agree with you on Bay. I enjoy some of his movies: Transformers, Bad Boys but his visuals are a mess.

[kdo]

Love the poll question: "Who do you is the best when it comes to visuals?"

Shouldn't it be: "Who do you think is best when it comes to visuals?"

Out of that bunch, Ridley Scott, hands down...unfortunately, his major flaw (not ever being able to make up his mind as to what he wants in regards to his projects) renders a lot of his material unbearable to watch IMO.

[srinivas1015]

Originally Posted by kdo

Love the poll question: "Who do you is the best when it comes to visuals?"

Shouldn't it be: "Who do you think is best when it comes to visuals?"

It was a typo and unfortunately you can't edit the poll question once it's been posted.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

Ummm...what?
Bay's camera work, lighting, shadows and visuals are second to none. His work in the editing room is phenomenal as well.
Did you watch The Island scene I posted in the first post? Bay's color grading, use of lens flares and vistas are tear inducingly beautiful. Not to mention him shooting at higher framer rates as well.