Thanks for the feedback. As much as I stare at that hat, I can't get it to turn into an afro, but maybe I should change it's colour regardless :o)
Admittedly I tend to have my display brightness turned down low. I think it is a combination of that, the in game lighting effects and the filters darkening the hat and losing detail. The screenshot with the parrot is the best example.
Yeh some of the shadier areas do get quite dark. I like that though, I find it quite atmospheric.