Enable even more creativity

Mobile photography is playing an increasingly important role in our daily life. Looking ahead, how our interactions will be shaped by mobile photography, what technological breakthroughs will appear, and what will be the mobile photography like in 100 years? Spark Ni, Senior Vice President & CMO at vivo, spoke to us and shared his understanding of photography.

For over 175 years, the people at ZEISS have asked the question: How can we challenge the limits of imagination? In celebration of that vision, ZEISS has partnered with thought leaders and great minds from around the globe for ZEISS Beyond Talks, giving them centerstage to speak about their own work, visions, passion and issues that are affecting our world moving forward.

It reminds me of three stages in my life. When I was a child, photos were in black and white. It was a luxury to have photos taken, and you needed to go to a professional photo studio for it. Later, I had my own camera, which made photo creation so much easier. After that, I began to have mobile phones. Now, mobile phones have increasingly powerful imaging features and they free us from the restrictions of time and space.

I used to take photos simply to record good memories in life. However, for my daughter, it’s more about sharing the photos, interacting with other people and telling others how she understands and feels about the world. So here lies a wide gap. In this new era, images and videos may have become - besides text - a new language and way to communicate and socialize.

From simply capturing images to rendering good images, with hardware innovation and advanced algorithms, mobile imaging has come a long way over the past few years. It now supports more features and scenarios. It doesn’t just reproduce what your eyes see - it goes beyond and create memorable experiences.

5G now opens up more room for imagination in video creation, so videos can carry more information and emotions. This may inspire yet another big leap in mobile imaging.

If a traditional camera works its magic with electrical components and light, mobile imaging is an art of combining the strengths of software and hardware in an even smaller space.

It is important to work with a great partner too. ZEISS has been a pioneer and legend in the fields of optics for over a century. Now joining forces, we will achieve more innovations in technology, explore more possibilities in the industry, and offer a bigger capacity for humanistic image creation. Faster chips, more professional and comprehensive algorithms, more advanced AI technology, and better insights into user needs - these are the areas we will continue to seek breakthroughs in.

Guided by the philosophy of “Joy of Humanity”, we are working with creators around the world to create images full of human care. These stories of time will in turn motivate and empower more people to experience life and enjoy creation. By making professional and easy tools readily available, and boosting users’ imagination and creativity, we are creating better social value and significance.

100 years ago, there were only landlines, and mobile phones were unheard of. 100 years from today, smartphones may have disappeared, or evolved into something else. But I believe our desires to hear, see and feel will remain the same.

No matter how technology and mobile imaging evolve, we will always pursue beauty and long for self-expression. Therefore, as a carrier of information, images achieve their purposes by going beyond the limits of imagination to record beauty in life and express true feelings.

And for us in the technology industry, it is our purpose and vision to help more people enjoy the freedom of creation.