Moon Photos Taken by Smartphone: Miracle of Imagery or Lack of Reality? | Release #9
An Intriguing Discussion on 'What is Photography?'
To what extent can a smartphone camera capture the details of the moon?
Starting from the profound question 'What is Photography?' posed by YouTuber Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, it expands into a very intriguing discussion.
Artificial Interpretation Brought by AI Software
First, let's consider how early black-and-white film cameras worked. They projected light passing through the subject onto the film, leaving a light afterimage, which was called a photograph. Then, returning to the present, let's look at the interview with Samsung's smartphone PR representative featured by Marques Brownlee on YouTube.
Samsung's Smartphone PR Representative
When a user takes a photo of the moon, the AI-based scene optimization technology recognizes the moon as the main object and takes multiple shots for multi-frame composition, after which AI enhances the details of the image quality and colors. (Interviewed by WIRED) When a user takes a photo of the moon, AI-based scene optimization technology recognizes the moon as the main object and takes multiple shots for multi-frame composition, after which AI enhances the details of the image quality and colors (Interviewed by WIRED)
By combining camera optical technology and AI software, it is possible to optimize moon photos to make them clearer and bring out details. It captures the details of the moon beyond optical limits.
However, strictly speaking, the optimization of images by AI processing is merely one form of photographic expression and does not completely reproduce the real appearance of the moon. While the combination of cameras and AI may make moon photos more beautiful and detailed, it is ultimately an artificial interpretation and is subject to individual subjectivity.
In conclusion, based solely on optics, when photographing the moon, it is necessary to ensure sufficient brightness and proper exposure, but whether smartphone sensors have the technical performance 'as cameras' compared to the latest cameras is unknown. In the future, as smartphone camera performance develops, the possibility of capturing optically realistic photos may emerge.
As an aside, when Japanese people look at a beautiful night sky with the moon, they say 'The moon is beautiful' and point their smartphone cameras at the sky. Deeply considering the reality of the photos taken may be a good opportunity to reconsider the meaning of the ambiguous word 'photography'. However, in my personal opinion, what is more important is the intention to capture the beautiful moon.
