At the moment I'm really trying to experiment with render options to optimize my renders.  I'm looking for crisp yet smooth renders, and I'm curious what settings you guys out there prefer (your own user settings, basically)....so if you don't mind letting me (and others) in your secrets, I would love to know!

There are a few renders I've done where I really felt I nailed it (one is a picture I did recently called On the Banks of the River Hyaur) and yet when I change to other atmospheres I really feel like I lose the realism.  So I guess in some way I would also like to know what hints people might have for atmosphere settings.....anyway, any helpful hints would be appreciated!