This is my first project where I knew I would be using a Mental ray render. The project was to simulate a light source that was coming from outside, inside and both, and to render each one separately. This was my outdoor render, that I think turned out the best. For me personally the hardest part was that we weren't allowed to use ANY textures!!! Only shaders and a bump map. I was practically killing myself not using a wood texture for the table, and a wine label, but I managed.
I am really excited to start using Mental Ray, I don't have a lot of experience with it, so I will be learning a lot, hopefully be getting much nicer renders!