personally i dont think photorealism should be the focus of 3D  (and i do distinguish between 'realism' and 'photorealism').

people packing pimples/blackheads/boils on their textures in the blind pursuit of photorealism should stop and ask themselves why they dont just take a photo instead. this is 3D, it should seek to transcend reality not mindlessly emulate it.  i do want realism in subtle things such as a render capturing the proper translucence of skin, a realistic eye that looks deep and liquid, a shoulder or even a knee that bends like a real one....  but beyond that i believe that 3D should have a sense of polish, aesthetics, style.

but of course everyone is free to choose their own path, so dont mind me.