If someone liked your upload, why not see what's in their gallery that you like well enough to leave a comment. 

Comments, please. 

--Martin

Perhaps we should look directly at the current exhibit,
National Photographic Portrait Prize (20 March - 24 May 2009). 

There are close to 60 images ... all should be reviewed to get the full picture. 

I don't yet know if the images on the NPG site are better/different from
the ones in the originally cited news article, 

The entire site begins here ... National Portrait Gallery.

Comments, please ...

--Martin

I need to know more about the credentials of the judge, Andrew Sayers, ... how he got his position, his training, what sort of images he records, ...  

As to the other finalists ... some that I liked ...

Bruce Pascoe  by Kim Batterham

Len Green by David Sandison

... and that's about it. 

The images of the Bondi Explosion had a lot more zap to them. 

--Martin

Actually, you need to view and check the eMail headers to see if Renderosity sent it long ago or recently. 

Or try to clear all the web cache and temp files

Ahhhhhhh ... that probably wouldn't apply for eMail messages ... unless MrsRatbag was using a web interface and web browser to access the eMail -- many of us use a POP3 eMail server and those comments about temp files simply do not apply. 

--Martin

Ahhhhhhhhhh ... let's take a step back ... and get some more information. 

In the camera setup, what are the number of pixels and what is the jpeg quality? 

In the PowerShot G9 Camera User Guide, pages 90 and 81 of the PDF or pages 78 and 79 of the paper copy ... you can see how to choose resolution ... you want either RAW or L - Large and also S - Superfine.  The next page explains how to record both a large, fine jpeg and also RAW. 

Another setting to check is the Scene mode Page 91 in the pdf.  Too bad their Portrait mode gives a soft focus ... In any case, that would be something to play around with. 

Lighting is also an issue ... if it was bright and high noon, you would have strong contrast ... perhaps too strong.  Better light would be early morning or afternoon; an overcast day could be even better. 

HTH, but please reply if you want additional suggestions. 

--Martin

When you speak of resolution, do you mean monitor resolution
... or do you mean image resolution? 

In order to check or change the monitor resolution you would show the desktop;
and then on an unused area of the desktop,

Right-Click -> properties -> settings ...

Please do that and tell us what you have there. 

OTOH, in Photoshop, you can set the image pixel count with

Image -> Image Size

Also in Photoshop, you can control the magnification of the current
workspace by using the key shortcuts 

Ctrl-Minus (Ctrl-) or

Ctrl-Plus (Ctrl+). 

HTH

--Martin

Your website lists Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS I0D (I think you mean Canon EOS 10D ... 'one zero' not 'i zero'). 

As regards frame rate, are you talking about the Canon EOS 5D or another camera?

As regards flash memory, are you talking about the Extreme lll 2GB SanDisk 133x? 

--Martin

Agreed, the max frame rate would be associated with a jpg file. 

OTOH, comparing RAW with compressed RAW, I would expect the frame rate for RAW to be less than the frame rate for compressed RAW. 

--Martin

Let's bring some thoughts together ...

Compression is slightly less than 1/2, such as from 15mb to about 8mb.

You also might be able to get a faster flash memory. 

While smaller file size will write to the cards faster to the camera's
memory buffer Martin,  this does not mean the camera will be able
to capture more shots by speeding up the frame rate

All other things being equal (unless I'm missing something), smaller file size
must mean faster possible frame rate. 

You see, large file sizes are nice to have in working an image for print. 

Yes ... ... with a jpg file, larger file size means either more pixels or less compression of color gamut.  While not the same (compression) methodology, Nikon RAW vs. compressed RAW also offers a tradeoff between file size and image detail. 

Yet, in print is the difference in "highlight detail" supposedly compressed
by Nikon visible to us?

Probably not ... EXCEPT if your post processing needs/uses that 'lost' detail. 

For example, after shooting, you find some interesting detail in an area of the image ... you crop to select that part,  adjust the levels and contrast ... and find that you don't have the shadow detail you expected.  As an example, a shot of a bird in it's nest might be in itself a great shot ... but then back at home, you see that you also have a chick emerging from the shell ... and want to make that portion of the image into a print ...

As I said before, if the scene has no motion (landscape, architecture, macro, sunset, clouds, ... ), you should shoot uncompressed. 

OTOH if the scene has action, movement, ... anything that needs a faster frame rate to get the perfect shot, decisive moment, the right expression, the foot sinking into the kicked ball, ... then you would want to shoot compressed. 

That having been said, too bad that you won't always know in advance ...

--Martin

Based on 2 articles I found, there is some loss of image information. 

One of those articles states,

there is some loss of data, mostly in the form of lowered resolution
in the highlights.

The loss of information results from translating the output from the image sensor from 12 bits per sensor (values 0 to 4095) into non-linear coded values 0-682. 

For the details, please read,

Is the Nikon D70 NEF (RAW) format truly lossless?

Nikon Compressed Raw Format - Lossy or Lossless?

Meowgli said,

but the smaller one should be essentially just as high in quality,
just fewer megapixels to play with

Sorry but that's not true ... that is not how Nikon has engineered compressed RAW. 

The Nikon compressed RAW does not change the number of pixels. 

The Nikon RAW reduces the highlight detail (range of light/dark) in all of the pixels. 

The decision to use compressed RAW should depend on how much time is needed to record onto the flash memory.  As a test, try shooting the same scene in both RAW and compressed RAW and time the image save (you know, One thousand one; one thousand two; ... to count the seconds). 

You also might be able to get a faster flash memory. 

The type of scene will also influence the choice ... for sports and action shots, you may need to use compressed so that you won't miss a shot; for landscapes, you wouldn't use compressed ... except for pictures of violent storms [sly grin]. 

--Martin

On the preview evening, the 3 artists will be presented by a local radio anchorman.

I hope that Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne will be served with Beluga caviar during the preview.  

--Martin

Congratulations on exhibiting your art. 

Will you be able to have the visitors sign a guest book? 

You should also consider giving out a 1-2 page 'catalog' for the exhibit. 

Don't forget to create a press release and notify the local newspapers. 

Remember, a little publicity could go a long way. 

--Martin

In that thread, danob made a productive suggestion ... alas, it was one which I haven't had tme to implement. 

Details about this image ...

I was motivated by the discussion of DoF in the Light test thread.  

I was inspired by the remains of a light rain on the holly leaves outside my window.  In addition, although the day had been overcast with light rain, as the rain ended I had strong, even sunlight -- a Promise of Spring to Come. 

BTW, considering how windy it was at the time as well as how slowly the camera makes a decision to actually take the picture, I consider myself lucky to get this image at all. 

Camera: Kodak Z1015 IS 10MP; hand-held; available light; subject at about 2-3 ft.

Comments, please. 

--Martin

When I said,

Which one is your local group?  (Hint: Lots! of photo ops) 

Sorry ... I really meant to ask, which local SCA group is nearest to you? 

--Martin

Thanks for the invite.  I'll see what I can do. 

The SCA has Kingdoms and local groups all over the world. 

The Kingdom of Drachenwald includes the United Kingdom.   

There, the Crown Principality of Insulae Draconis has 8 local groups. 

Which one is your local group?  (Hint: Lots! of photo ops)

--Martin