"isn't one adding extra shadows to the final rendered image that "[wouldn't] be there"?" That kinda nails it. If you really do want to suggest a shape with 'extra' shadows where the mesh will not generate them, then they make sense. Kinda like the shape suggestive shadows created by bump maps. You are right though, in suggesting that many that get left in from photo-sampled maps are gratuitous, inappropriate and can result in a bogus look. --And you realize that this IS your second post this year stranger. Quit hogging all the bandwidth! ;-)