An extreme closeup of the stem/sand junction. This level of zoom pushes the model to its limit in terms of realism. The granite and sand textures lose detail, and the geometry of the sand becomes blocky.

Of cousre, if such a close view is required, the texture and geometry resolution can easily be increased to accomodate. But as this image demonstrates, even modest modelling and texturing can hold up fairly well if the lighting is handled carefully.