I just want to make a little point, Four years ago I started working towards the idea of producing "photorealistic" renders, the idea being that they both look and feel like photographs but with the stipulation that there would be no editing, no postwork of any kind, no hidden lighting tricks, every image would be unfiltered and untouched once the render finished. This choice forced me to learn and then re-learn everything that I knew and thought that I knew, over and over again, continually evolving and improving, making small tweaks and continual overhauls. In some way I have fallen more in love with my chosen craft because of this continual evolutionary process while watching a growing volume of disillusioned people fade as they quest for a quicker way to better themselves, when if the past four years have taught me anything it is that there is no quick route anywhere of value. However with the world evolving and growing lazier by the day as the slippery tendrils of AI caress people into submission, I find myself almost standing as a purist, whilst in some ways this feels like an ego trip, truly it is not, above all else I am committed to my work and willing to push myself constantly while watching many, including those I respect falter as their passion fades is truly saddening. I have long spoken of having no true objection to AI and that is still true, however I do somewhat despise the way so many people now clearly use it as a tool and as an integral or pivotal part of their entire creation process and then choose not to be truthful about it. Deep down the only people you are lying to are yourselves by doing so, everyone can see through it and while many will never call out this happening, some will and rightly so because if people don't the site suffers and a lack of trust can be most lethal. However my passion for my craft has never been higher and my drive even more so. When you see an image from me, the version you see is exactly the same as I see, untouched, no hidden postwork, no tricks, gimmicks or anything else, sometimes there may be a hallmark added and this is done in paint, imported and slapped as little more than a humble means to protect myself from the thieves, parasites and general arseholes that linger in the murky darkened corners of every forum and site that exists. And quite frankly why shouldn't I protect my craft? Especially if some things may well find their way into my books or further workings, then why should I allow anyone the opportunity to simply steal what I have spent years working on? This year however things are going to be rather different and firmly through choice too, I have removed multiple accounts from sites that have now slumped into being little more than refuges for sleaze and AI trash. Simply put if you are reading this in a forum or site, then know that I have deemed that place as safe, though that may only be for the time being. However I have rather a lot of ground to tackle during 2026, editing Isla's story, writing Escaping Reality and I also hope to be writing the first of Scorpio's books too alongside anything else I come to be putting out too and I look forward to sharing every success and failure with you. So my first post of 2026 is a screenshot of the final render, at the moment it finished with the actual render alongside, nothing added or taken away, no tricks, no gimmicks, no postwork and above all else no bullshit. Happy New Year to you all.