The Portrait

At the Fireplace

Study in Candlelight

➔  Dr. Paul Wolff

The color photograph reproduces nature extremely faithfully, which ought to be an advantage in portrait work.  Since we know the coloring of a person's skin, the color of his hair and eyes, we insist that his picture show the greatest possible likeness.  On the other hand, it can be repulsive to see the epidermis with its little blemishes and accidental oddities shown with complete honesty.  Such accuracy presents an insurmountable obstacle to an aesthetically satisfying picture.  It is therefore quite possible that we may reject a portrait, not because it is unrealistic, but because it is too realistic.  We are almost scared by so much "truth", which is another proof that realism alone does not make a picture valuable. [from My Experiences in Color Photography]