::::::I think I posted that when not logged in. The problem with an image with a black (or very dark) background is that the contrast with the surrounding article is too great, resulting in what appears as a stark black block. That way the focus is shifted to the contrast between the image and the rest of the article instead of the appearance of the various elements within the image. You can probably achieve a better effect by using a relatively light background and darker colours (about half intensity perhaps?).