Francis Wu - The American Annual of Photography - 1951

Photography did not attain the undisputed place as an art medium, which it holds today without fighting a long uphill battle. No camera can produce work of more imagination and skill than the operator possesses. Works of art have been made with Brownie camera, but they are much more easily produced with cameras that have more adjustments. The artist should have his mind completely concentrated on his art; he should not be distracted by the mechanical operations involved.

Evening Prayer by Francis Wu

“Evening Prayer” by Francis Wu, we come to expect outstanding work from Dr. Wu. And he never disappoints us. In this portrait he has given us a charming glimpse of a Chinese lady in her home. He tells us the purpose was to show Chinese classical beauty and in this he has been outstandingly successful, both in his selection of a model and in the way he has employed her. He displays no proud beauty obviously conscious of her charms and trying to show them to the best advantage, but a handsome and unaffected gentle woman serenely unconcerned about her appearance. It is a rich picture with an exceptionally long scale of tones managed with surpassing skill to produce a very beautiful effect. There is a wealth of material, which has all been very carefully handled and subordinated to the main idea so that it does not distract us from contemplation at the lady at her devotion. Even her great beauty and the richness of her attire do not vie in interest with the main theme of the pictures, which is an act of simple piety performed by becoming respect.