There are lighting tutorials available, if not here, then through Curious Labs community links. The spotlights are great, but you can even get a good look with the standard lights. Selecting the light (spotlight or regular) and setting the map size to the maximum, (which I believe is 1028 x 1028) will also help. Using texture maps and transparancy maps on your figures can make a huge difference (if you're not already using them.) Also, playing with the highlight strength, size and color can help eliminate that plastic look. And finally, there are a lot of easy things you can do in Photoshop to clean up the image. Play with filters, then FADING the filters; or adjust the contrast, hue, etc. You can really punch up a dull image quickly! Good luck, and just keep trying! The great thing about computer art is that you can make multiple copies and go nuts!