You are right the technology is so quickly developing that even smartphones have great quality.
The photographs are really good, my favorites are the orange with nice shadows and watch, I like illusion of a second watch :)
Same like yourself I am using a lot Youtube in order to find the tutorials for my artworks, because there are so big variety of brushes, art paper and canvases so it is good to know if someone used them and if they have any tips.
RE: 12:27 PM... quest for a nice photos