Anyone know how muscle definition / lightning / tan / etc all tie in? I know I'm not the only one that looks completely different in different lightning. Does tanning help with this? (would bright light not "wash" me out so bad?)

Tanning and overhead lighting do help display your definition if you've got some already.

in terms of competition? Or how you look in the lockerroom's mirros vs. the one in your bathroom?

No, not competition lightning, just normal everyday conditions (dim bedroom versus bright bathroom veruss outside, etc). I suppose it's all about contrast, with darker skin showing the same lines in bright light that lighter skin shows in dim light.. but it's got to be more complicated than this?

I can't find a picture of someone in the same light before and after getting a tan, so it's difficult to guess what sort of effect it has.. All pictures I've found of this sort are the typical "before and after transformation" ones.. no tan and fat in the first pic, tan and 20 pounds lighter in the second.

tanning also tightens the skin I'm told. Just tan. It can't be that hard to obtain and do your contrast... I suppose something like is subjective as well. Where one person would say you look "better" pale someone else could say you look more defined tan. Who would be right and who's oppinion are you going to value more?