Top: the light gray background tends to leave me with an after image burnt on my eyes - sort of like what happens when you look directly at a lightbulb. Not a happy thing. Middle: The images show much more clearly with this one. None of them blend into the background at any point. The text could use just a bit more contrast, however, as it's kind of fuzzy, and for those who spend a good deal of time in the forums and reading the front page articles, this would cause a lot of eyestrain. Bottom: Text/Background contrast is the best of the three. No spots before the eyes, no fuzziness, nicely clear and readable. However, portions of the first and third thumbnails disappear entirely as they blend into the background color. Best compromise: Some combination of middle and bottom examples. Perhaps the lighter background for the gallery and the black for the forums? Best solution: Let the members have some control over how they want to do it. Give them the three options and let them set their own colors based on the three available choices. Just a suggestion. Kate (who has very very very easily strained eyes, cannot go outdoors even on overcast days without sunglasses - can you say photosensitivity? I knew you could - and has to get new glasses on the average of once a year)