thanks guys!! JudyK---here is a larger version of #3. @Ddruckenmiller: in #4 I "colorized" the image to rusty yellow, and then faded it to get some of the greens in the palm trees, and also used the filter "luce" to brighten everything up/ @dBgrafix: That is the default material on Alvin's coconut tree, I actually liked the transparentness (is that a word?) of it, and the luce filter made them seem even more transparent than they are. @JudyK: color correction was probably what I messed with the most, I tried many different blending styles to keep the color that was originally there, but in the end I dont know why but I liked the washed-out lighting the most. i understand what you are saying, I almost left it as-is.