The elves look absolutely HORRIBLE and I hate them. Absolute garbage. All the races look bad in character creation except for the Argonians, Kahjit, and female nords. I don't understand why in the world anyone would want to have ugly, hideous, goblin-like elves in elder scrolls. In every other book, movie, and game elves have ranged from decent looking to beautiful. They tend to be attractive looking. I think your artistic standards are very low or you're just a big fan of elder scrolls if you think Bethesda did a good job on their elves. And by the way, the previous elder scroll games had really awful graphics and artwork. I'll never buy them for that reason.
I agree that the elves look like dog crap (without mods)
However, I strongly disagree with the part about all other races besides argonians, khajiit, and female Nords looking bad.
I put a ton of hard work into my male Nord, and these images are the result.
Credit goes to death-knowz for taking the screens for me.
Bleakwail Crowhaven #1.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m287/james_bartee/471398_3229696781184_1229525072_32652876_1527698270_o.jpg
Bleakwail Crowhaven #2.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m287/james_bartee/477430_3229696901187_1229525072_32652877_36822764_o.jpg
Bleakwail Crowhaven #3 (this was taken using my cell phone).
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m287/james_bartee/gamesas.jpg