I've been experimenting with different lighting techniques and wanted to hear your opinion on this image.

Also, how important are the use of shaders in your scene? I've never used them before, but I have tried

them once or twice and unless I'm doing something wrong, I didn't notice any difference in the results

once rendered. Is DOF a simple integration or is it a learned skill through trial and error?

Without a doubt IMO, lighting is the most crucial part in rendering a quality image that has realism.

Here's a sample render, any thoughts or tips on what I could or should do with this particular image

to increase its realism?     Thanks guys.

Hi, Inhervisions.

I'm not familiar with Daz but In Poser DOF can be achieved by going to Render Settings and ticking the DOF box there, then in your Camera settings turn the F-Stop dial to around 2 for alot of DOF or around 4 for a more modest DOF effect. Hope this information is helpful.

Thank you!

Not really a big fan of DOF but a bit of good ol' Photoshop Took me like ten minutes but it was fun... Oh, oh, I might've doubled the resolution in the process.

Sweet!