crimsondragonnyc; Welcome to the obsession! And kiss your credit card balance goodbye. And don't sweat it. There isn't -one- of the forum denizens who haven't tripped over someone's ego or stubbed their toe on the amorphous, unwritten 'rules'. And not neccesarily when they were a newbie, either.... As for critiquing the image (which looks like it was stretched from its native format for use as a Windows background...right?), if you use P5, then do a search in this forum on water shaders. There have been several threads on how to create realistic looking water with the P5 shaders. If it's postwork....then you need to speak with someone who knows how to make whatever graphics program you use dance. Are there composition problems? Yes. Next time you hit a bookstore, take a walk to the section on photography and look for books on 'how to' set up shoots, lighting, posing, where to arrange what according to size, etc. CG isn't photography, but uses many of the same rules and disciplines. As for the rest.... Just keep in mind that all of the nay says are opinions, nothing more (just like a certain excretory orifice; everyone has one). -You- are the one sitting at the creation controls of your image, no one else. And unless you are doing it on commission, you =have= to please no one else save yourself (well, you have to be able to pass legal muster, but after that....). There are a lot of good people here to learn from, who enjoy sharing their knowledge. There is also a lot of forum static, and at times a positively sadistic delight in roasting an newbie for the sheer fun of it. Also keep in mind that this is the holidays, and a lot of people are just out and out grouchy from issues outside the fora. Oh. If you place swords in their hands, =THEN= you will have finally created that bastion of Poser, NVIATWAS!!!! Or: Naked Vicky In A Temple With A Sword, which has been a long standing tradition for the software. Like the Bryce 'Reflective Sphere Floating Over Water' image that Bryce newbie has done. So hit the freebies, get some steel, arm those babes, re-render, and post it to the gallery with a title like 'The Tradition Lives!' or something equally humorous....or mindbending, depending.