I think your last point is the important one. Most photographic techniques are fairly easy to master (compared to, say, classical painting or sculpture). Just as much of a landscape photographer's work consists of patience, perseverence, and serendipity, a portrait photographer's results depend on his rapport with the subjects. Borges could have used any number of techniques to record the picture, but the opportunity to take it in the first place is the real achievement here.(posted 8703 days ago)To oversimplify my position, I see little point in seeing only the limitations in a certain perspective. Why not concentrate on the possibilities? (The glass "half-full" versus "half-empty" school of criticism if you must.)