Tim Burton creates a world that is a mix of comic book allure and reality. He enhances the set by making Gotham feel like a steampunk city built out of the grittiness of the people. We see steam billowing from sewers and vents and covering the streets. This gives the allusion of mystery and creates suspense because it is hard to see what is coming next in Gotham. He's able to effectively show with purple smoke at the art museum that The Joker is taking over the suspense in the city as it's the only time we see smoke with a different color than white.
Burton also plays with the lighting an keeps it very dark. Batman is always seen during the night and more specifically in the beginning of the film Batman is found in the shadows. One scene in the Bat Cave shows him with Vicki Vale and he steps into the shadow as if to use it to protect his identity, and Burton uses the shadow in order to shine light directly into his eyes to enhance the effect of the mask he wears to hide his identity.
With camera shots, Burton keeps his techniques relatively straightforward. He does use a tilted camera angle when we are introduced to Harvey Dent who later becomes Two Face in the comic books. The camera angle gives a nod to the downfall of this government hero to come. Burton also uses close-ups during the intimate scenes with Wayne and Vale and as their relationship gets more and more revealed the closer he goes. Thus, when Vale finally knows Batman's identity, Burton shoots in close up their scene. Tim Burton is one of the great directors of this generation as he has a style and rhythm completely his own, and Batman is no exception.
