Well I've taken some of your comments onboard and this is where I've got to. I am planning on caustics and volumetric lights but I can only do that when I have a day or so free for the render time. If anyone has any more suggestions then please let me know. 8) Thanks Catlin

I forgot to say that the anchor is compliments of electroglyph, thank you John. 8) Catlin

looks great so far! I love that plant in the foreground, and the overal atmosphere is awesome--I cant wait until you add some caustics!

Yep, agree about the atmosphere. When you add the caustics, put a bit more light on the foreground plant. It looks nicely alien and is interesting enough to be in the spotlight. :-) As to the rest: I'd make the texture on the rocks a bit smaller scaled. also, the whale in the background should go. Put a shark or a baracuda there, it's too shallow for a whale. :-) And he's out of scale with those bass or groupers or whatever they are.

Try mapping the stone texture randomly, it gives a nice corally, volcanic look to it.....sand looks much better now, and love the anchor, looks like someone's getting ready for a drive to the wreck, with lights and atmosphere, it'll look superb!....:)

I love that plant thingy, its really great. Look forward to seeing the next wip.

Catlin, you're doing a superb job here. A couple of things though, The anchor looks great but there seems to be a branch growing through it so you'll either move it slightly or just do a little post work touchup on it. Erlik's idea about adding a highlight light on those great looking plants in the front is a must do, but don't get over carried away with it. Too much is just as bad as too little and don't forget to turn off shadows on it otherwise you'll have confused lighting issues. I don't know about the whale being in too shallow of water since I once had one swim directly over me in 45 feet of water and this looks kind of deep since you have dim lighting. Personally I think the haze does a fairly good job of adding depth and telling us that the whale is further away than those other fish but again this is a personal taste issue. One more thing, out of curiosity, have you tried changing the material on that elk horn coral, or whatever it is, whose branch is growing through the anchor? I wonder what a muted hot pink, red, orange, deep indigo, purple or violet would look like there. It looks fine as is but I can't help wonder if adding a little color there wouldn't add to the image together with your fine sea plant thingy there in the foreground. Can't wait to see it with the caustics.

Most elkhorn coral is a mustard yellow.....:)

ooops, forgot the reference photo...

That looks more like eelgrass

This is looking great Catlin! Like the feeling of murky depth, and the things you plan to add will really send it over the top. I'm looking forward to the final render.

Looking good Catlin!!! Love the touches. Can't wait to see the caustics and volume lighting

I really like the shadow of the whale in the background.