You should check out some of my other posts. I do have some photography on here. I would not say I am a shooter by any stretch of the imagination.
I agree focus lighting on a hero object is very helpful. I just wish I could do better high dynamic range lighting.
This scene is driven by a procedural set of materials. I use Corona Render for the most part. If you look carefully in this scene I have not gotten around to matching the sun angles with the clouds. I need to turn the environment a bit and adjust the gain. There also is no aerial perspective. No haze, atmosphere etc.
On hero objects I do texture one to one but on the forest I am using some corona materials that are slightly translucent on the leaves.
It is so cool to have other artists on here. Thanks for taking the time to write me such a thoughtful comment.
I still have respect for the lighting artists.... lol
Hey no problem man, I just like to see other artists here.