Ok, read your forum post looking for help with pictures not looking pasted. I like your photos and your designs are pretty good. I know what you mean about trying not to be cliche, I am fighting that one all the time. The big thing that I can see is that your figures are either a slightly different color from your background or they are just slightly brighter. Now, you are already a much better photomanipulator than me so I don't know what I can suggest. For the color one, you can add another layer over the figure layer set to about 10 percent opacity and with the screen blending mode or maybe overlay -- this will give everyting a push toward the same color. Also, are are you aware of the work of an artist named Christopher Shy? Does some really cool photomanipulation work, and some of your stuff reminds me of his (in a good way). Keep it up, I like your stuff and would like to see how you grow.