The image does have a nightmare feel, or that moment before the nightmare starts, feeling. There is definitely a sense of foreboding in the shadows! In that light I do like it, since now the image has a direction for me to imagine on it. But if by surreal you mean the painting movement I don't see a connection.
QuoteAny suggestions on GI/AA/Detail settings would be helpful.
One thing you might try is working on the clouds. The quality is a little grainy. But if you get them looking photo good, then you'll end up having to work on the rest of the image.
Increase the relevant levels and see. Also try soft shadows. but soft shadows always help to make an image more real in my view. so you could loose the dream feel. Then again, if you increase the parameters of the soft shadows options enough you could potentially get the dream feel back. I would be curious to see if after doing that you are able to maintain the dark emotion of the OP, or if the extra soft shadows "warm" the dream up.
High soft shadow settings do tend to have the effect of adding a dreamy style. But what from what I have seen the dream feel is not nightmarish. On the other hand you have some great nightmare blacks in those shadows... So Yeah, now Im really curious to see what effect that would have.
