The times of "painted" texture maps are definitely over

how terribly sad... [to me at least...]

but i realise my pref for not striving towards the more 'photo-realistic' types of renders is most likely one that's in a minority nowadays... 

however, i do want to be able to learn how to create the more 'realistic' types of renders, but that is really just for learning, as knowledge is always useful...

i've been out of Poserdom for quite awhile now, esp. in terms of purchasing things, so many of my favourites seem to have moved on, or i've yet to locate them, or something... and i don't really use much from vendors [though i'm trying to dabble again] 

but,

for scenes: stonemason & jack t., and i always loved RedHouse's stuff back in the day which all seem to have become Daz originals at some point in the past 7-8 years, and for all the aforementioned, i was always drawn to their stuff not only because of the types of scenes, but because of the great quality for the $$$

for props: uh, anyone who can do any interesting headprop has my vote [i've come to believe o'er the years i've a fetish of sorts about such things]

for skin:  i don't really use other people's textures, but since coming back, i've purchased a handful, mostly from Maddelirium.  i'm not sure i'll ever find a way to use them, but i sure do love looking at them in Photoshop.  what attracts me so much is the thought process she seems to have in her approach, where a true character is fully fleshed out as opposed to being given a random 'fantasy make up' option here and there. and i get a sense that she truly puts a part of herself into most of sets she offers up, invests herself, instead of just putting something out there 'just because'.  i'm honestly, at this point, pressed to be able to truly articulate what i mean, and i have put a bit of thought into trying to figure it out too since i'm spending monies i can't really afford to be spending on items that i may or mayn't use at some point.  best i can come up with is that her sense of aesthetics marries the closest to my own moreso than any other vendor i've yet to come across since coming back... and were samil still creating - well, her stuff always had my heart...

for clothing: again, don't really use it, but i always loved AwfulSoul/Aery Soul/Aeon_Soul/AlphaseeD's stuff [glad to see they're making a comeback], as well as ElorOnceDark's -- and Sarsa has always been so very adept at doing fabulous textures for other people's clothing...

and i'd be remiss if i failed to mention Bong by nursoda, as that little guy just gets under my skin and makes my teeth hurt in the very best possible way, and i'm not pulled towards 'cute' typically...