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From skipt1@aol.com:
Lighting makes or breaks this scene (and most others).  Radiosity would have
helped significantly.  The main thing that I would suggest though is trying to
do the light beam realistically.  Use an atmospheric media and use a bright
spotlight, with a sharp fall off, to create the beam.  You'll get a more
natural fall off without the harsh edges.  The cylinder and emission media make
this appear a little like a teleporter beam.  Nice effort though and good work
modeling the canyon with julias.
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From tek@evilsuperbrain.com:
simple but effective.
I think the light's a bit over the top, looks almost like a laser beam! It
shouldn't be perfectly circular and should have softer edges as it gets further
from the top of the cave. I suggest filling the cave with scattering media then
lighting it with an area light shining through a hole in the cave (similar to
what happens in reality).



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From rgow@lanset.com:
A good idea. Nice textures, the colors all work well.  The hard CSG edges don't
look right to me, maybe some height_fields or isosurfaces in there for
variety.

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From i-mcnamara@cornellcollege.edu:
I've seen pictures of slot canyons in Arizona (maybe even this one) and I agree
that they are one of the more spectacular land formations.  I always get to
thinking about Indiana Jones trekking through such a canyon towards the temple
of the crescent moon.  I like your idea for the ray of light, and the use of
fractals was one that I've never thought of before.  The suggestions I would
have for you you have already mentioned, mainly radiosity.  You also might want
to consider a wavy isosurface for the sand at the bottom, if that fits that
actual formation that is.  Some very good work, well done.
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From ericf@foothill.net:
I liked this image quite a bit.  I have seen pictures of the area, and think you
did a good job of capturing the sculpted look and colors of the canyon walls. 
The light I wasn't as enthusiastic about, I would expect a little more spread,
a little less 'beam' quality.  Even so, it is still a nice effect.

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From raytracing@grayproductions.net:
In a way this image is pretty simple, but I just plain like it.  ;)
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From darwallace@earthlink.net:
The light beam should have been a cone.


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From file:
Good but the feeling is flat
Notable for modelling


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From file:
With a little more texure work on the walls, and the use of global media for
your cylinder of light, this could evovle to be a fantastic image.