I use both MoI and KeyShot as well. I always say a good render begins with a good model.

In your example, it's not a stupid model. It is just a simple one.

Professional photographers will say it is all about the lighting. In your case, you made simple shapes come alive with dramatic lighting.

In my situation I render simple objects (rings) that are the only object in the scene. Lighting in my case is really put to work to create an impression.

I envy you guys who get to work with complex models like robots and airplanes :)

By the way, nice web site Andrei. Please keep sharing your ideas.

Ed Ferguson

I dont think this looks great. It looks dull.

I saw you made gorgeous renders, also great npr renders, so I dont understand your point.

Nowadays making realistic renders has become easy with solutions like keyshot, or others.

A simple hdr can kick out a pretty decent render with a few clicks, but setting a scene for animation, or bringing life to a scene is something you wont get by knobbling in your render software.

A good light setup will reward you quite some "Wow awesome incredible etc ..." comments on a simple sphere and plane scene.
It has nothing to do with the software you use.

First begin with a three lights setup, get something out of it, then you can add as many lights as you want. And then you can truly unleash the power of a bsdf engine.