I decided to go a better direction with my earlier coral image, but anyways. What do you think? and more specifically, how can the lighting be changed?

Very cool coral reef! I like the shaft of light too. I was thinking the outline of the patch of light looked a little stark, I don't know if turning on soft shadows would help. I would probably "cheat" and soften the edge in PS.

Oh this is looking lovely. 8) I love the shafts of light and the rocks dissappearing into the murky background. It looks like you now have a great stage set in which to put the action. It has a sense of place and realism. I'm really looking forward to your next wip. 8) Catlin

I might be tempted to put a small low level radial in each ornament just to pick it out a tad more. Very cool idea and a good looking image!

Pass no temptation lightly by, for one never knows when it may pass again!

I agree with soft shadows. I don't know about a radial, but maybe increase the reflectivity and make em use the light that's already there.