I am not a fan of the very stylized "photos", at least not on the same page with photos without the painted in look of tonemapping and HDR variations done heavilyi.  Still, in your photo of the truck, I know it originated at a photo but see it as a different sort of rendering. I am more comfortable taking "that look" as a different form of presentation for which have no name...a look beyond "photo" yet not painted cartoon cell. To me, this is almost a Norman Rockwell look with more edginess to detail added in.

You did well on this one, I believe and your multiple lighting worked with the truck shot.  I have difficulty knowing if it was more tonemapping or lighting or what since all is blended very well.

In my play with lights, I have often done as Eddie mentions and used reflectors.  In one shoot of Christmas decorations in a ladies crowded home my wife held a white foam core board for me while I managed the small strobe of camera and worked the camera.  Surprising how well a reflector works to fill and balance the light, with strobe or sun.  A piece of sheer fabric can cut down the harshness of direct sun, having tried that only once  but it worked well on a set up shoot.         Tom.