I'm shooting for at least some small bit of realism but, since I've been staring at this for so long, I can't quite put my finger on what else to do. I do know that the shadows are a bit awkward, and I would LOVE to use soft shadows, but I'm working with a PII 350 - this render took over two hours, and it's really not that complex. Anyhoo - Comments and Criticisms are more than welcome. Again, I'm working more on realism than artistic composition. Thanks! CzIII

I think this is excellent. Those mats are great. I would suggest you use the soft shadows or turn on soft shadows with your lights. I know it takes longer to render but the results are well worth it especially if you are trying for realism. Perhaps a bit more bump in the table top too. :) Trouble

Very nice! I really like those materials. Maybe tone down the reflectivity of the tabletop a bit? My mother had a table that she used to spend hours waxing and polishing, and she couldn't get it that reflective.

Hi I may be wrong but is the problem too many shadows I think perhaps fron the reflections from the vases. just an idea I think just the odd tweak and no one would be able to tell , just like the old hair spray advert 'is it real .....' Dave

This is very good, but please give it a try with soft shadows. It will improve a lot your already good realism. You can always let it bake while you're sleeping... S.

Lookin good but I think the red vase is causing you some problems......

one thing many people do when trying to make an image realistic is that they, me included, use far too little bump. Bump an reflections are very important. Add a little more bump to the table, and maybe tone down the reflection a bit. And let all objects have a tint of reflection. you could also ad a couple of radial Lights around the scene for more radiosity

Thank you all very much for your comments - I agree with every one of them. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and let it run tonight ... all night ... with soft shadows on. TheBryster: You wrote that the red vase was giving me problems - did you mean with the shadows, or something else? It's casting one BIG one on the back wall that I'm hoping soft shadows will fix. Did you mean something else? Again, thanks very much. Will post any new developments.

Czii: I'm worried by the reflections on the red vase. They make it hard on the eye, and I wonder whether the vase has its own patterns or not...I would dampen it down a lot, give it a more matt finish...just my 0.2p

Good point, I see that now, too. I think I still get too into the newbie "Bryce can generate reflections! Cool!" state of mind. Reworking as time allows (busy day). Thanks again to all!