With many investors offering to back Zhao to direct films and hoping for him to follow successful cinematographers-turned directors such as Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei, Zhao said that he is not finished with his work cameras.

"I don't think I should be directing at this stage of my life. I may direct once I feel ready and the timing is right," he said.

"You can never find him in supermarkets or shopping malls. He goes only to things like camera equipment fairs, vintage camera shops and his eyes shine when he sees a camera," Zhan Zhili, a close friend of Zhao told the Global Times.

"For now, cinematography is truly my great passion," Zhao agreed.

"A cinematographer master once said, 'Cinematographers are telling story by lights.' I only hope I can continue expressing myself through lights and lens," he smiled.