I agree with the OP partially. I think as doll manufacturing gets more refined (and it has, just look at the dolls ten years ago) realism will continue to grow and at some point astound.
Until then, we have to work with what we have. The question of realism is really two questions in one. Realism in interaction and realism in photography. In photography it's pretty easy. Lighting, make up, and execution. (See shameless share my own meager talents).
But in real interaction, much more difficult and multi-faceted. A variety of things coming at us now add to realism, heating, voice activation, moving eyes, etc., but those can be pricey and or just now emerging (and as yet un-perfected).
But in basic forms of what we have now, I find a heating blanket set on low for a few hours adds some realism, learning the skill of "real life" make-up (air brushing being the very best) and even lighting in "use". Harsh lighting magnify's the lack of animation (life), shadowed lighting improving, near darkness even more so.
Oddly enough, execution in real time helps as well. While reverse cowgirl is fun, since dolls are "dead" weight that position robs from realism. All fours lends to a more....authentic experience. Their's many more examples.
I think and this has always been true (I've been in this some dozen years now) we doll fancier's are always chasing the brass ring. Alas, we also "make do" with what's available. That said, they have come quite a long way since my first experiences. See image my first doll (a Mecha Doll from 11 years ago).
Here's Jolene a two year old WM
Angle, execution, and lighting can easily fool someone who doesn't know they're looking at a doll
- P1010110.JPG (3.24 MiB) Viewed 1338 times
Here's Tina a MechaDoll from some 12 years ago. While the angle and execution aren't well suited for realism, you can see dolls have come along way in terms of realism in sculpting . Especially true in the sculpting of the noses.
See image here-
http://www.dollalbum.com/dollgallery/di ... pid=172456
Anung
