Quote Originally Posted by helium3 View Post
If that's the case, how can the edges be projecting a shadow that's behind and offset from them? Your eye's immediately notice this discrepancy and tell that something isn't "right."
My eyes tell me that the "map" is a separate entity from the rest of the image. I admit it is purely a matter of taste, but I actually like the jarring affect. It places the background in the background and makes the map itself stand out.

That being said, I really want to try different techniques. Your observation is a valuable one, even if I sorta disagree with it.