Well, I prefer light backgrounds to black (never saw a real gallery yet with black walls) , but I also don't like the pop ups.  I don't know CSS and find it odd that there would be an assumption everyone does....it was nice to have check box options that didn't require it.  It's a small thing, but it was nice to have a choice of left or right handed menus too. 

On the other hand, it's not my site and if you like the look and you're paying the bills, what the heck difference does it make to me. I'm returning to lurker status.  Take care all.