I don't think they look like cutouts, but you lost those cool shadows. Here's what I do. I don't move the camera and I render with a couple of different kinds of lighting and then blend it in PhotoShop-- or PSP, doesn't matter as long as the prog has layers. Sometimes use overlay, sometimes soft light in 50% or less transparency. That way you can have your sunset and the shadows too. That expression is killer now that I can see it well-- you're too good to be a newbie. You have to quit now.;-) Emily