Valandar, just remember that adding more lights that only cast light won't add too much to render times. Its the shadow casting lights (especially omni lights) that will start to really lengthen render times. Some "basic" lighting set ups in order to get a natural feel, look like chaotic messes. Just try and put some…
So i've done a fair few models, usually with blueprints that are semi reliable, like for cars and such. but i've never really built a model from scratch using just perspective photos alone and i'm having some troubles figuring out the right pipeline. I've tried using perspective photos that are as close to orthographic…
Your Occlusion falloff is the problem there. I usually used somewhere in between 100 and 200. I would play with it. 20 - 50 - 100. It depends on how much you want.
Alternatively, use the Deformation panel to resize your model up by 100 a few times, dynamesh, and resize back down by -100 the same amount if you want extra detail.
http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=16682&news_channel_id=1028&channel_id=1028 yes it is indeed an isolated, single case. but i figure it's an interesting read. wats interesting is that the first cure for a certain cancer was also in the bone marrow. just thought i'd share