MR's photography is slick and appealing to the masses, who I presume they think this will inspire them. It's also interesting that some of these layouts may well be unfinished elsewhere, but not shown. I know that the RMJ layouts, Bob Schleicher does take his own photos, and will show unfinished construction. Also, even if the layout photos don't show that, I've been on layout tours of that layout he shot, and have seen the Under Construction parts.
I remember once I commented that I'd like to see some 'less than perfect' layouts featured, because that was closer to my own sense of achieveable goals. I was hooted down, with the comments that pretty much focussed on the 'perfect layouts are inspirational'.
Well, sure, we all like the top athletes out there, but as a short, fat, slow, and aging person, they don't inspire me at all. It's the underdog that we can all relate to.
Kennedy