Thank you for your comment, I did try to adjust the lights so that the columns would have a shadow, but I didn't like the results. I may try something else.
I am not sure I understood what you refer to as being shorter.
The contrast is done on purpose, I don't know what to tell you,
that was the exact look I was going for.
Also the wall is not black! Do you know how much work I put in that texture????
Sorry you don't like it, though...