I just started combining Renders and Backgrounds. Then messed around with lighting. I read some Tutorials on stuff that interests me.
(Googling "Photoshop adding Mist/Fog" and Stuff like that)

 

Image quality is better, sure, but its still kind of terrible. Aside from your text, it kind of looks like you made the entire thing in Paint. Couple decent looking examples to reference.









I'd say dig around Deviant Art for tutorials, or even better... go join [http://www.animerender.com]Animerender....[/url] They're pretty awesome as far as brushes, tutorials, stocks, renders, and a bajillion other resources, and really, an awesome community.