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If you're a lightroom guy, master the general panel in the develop module. The basics of color balance, contrast, highlights, black point, fill light and the differences between exposure and brightness for example, will put you ahead of a large chunk of the other folks out there.

Don't worry about technique as much as making the image match your vision, a great book on this is Vision & Voice by David Duchemin (fellow Vancouverite). The book goes into how it's ok to change an image from blue to brown for example if that matches your vision of what you were trying to create.

Pardon that diversion :) Hope the above helps.

The most important ones though are in the general panel, bringing in image to life from the "blah" that it tends to come out of the camera with. As jnphoto mentioned, shooting in raw is pretty important if you're learning PP, gives you the most image data to deal with.

HTH, HAND

Here are the only two I have read specifically for lightroom, I highly recommend both:

for workflow and basic functionality (workflow isn't as sexy as editing, but if you get a good system down, it will essentially become second nature and allow you more time for editing):

Lightroom 2: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process

For the creative process: (arcterex already mentioned this one.)
Vision & Voice: Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (Voices That Matter)

Anything by David Duchemin is great, he also has a blog and some great ebooks

This is a good blog also:
http://lightroomkillertips.com/

Wow, this response saddens me. I’m sorry you took my critique so personally but I suggest you grow some thicker skin if you wish to continue this endeavor. Don’t ask for a critique if you aren’t prepared to receive one. Don’t be so defensive and read what I have to say with an open mind.

Photography is art and art is subjective. My opinion is just that. It confuses me that you ask for an opinion, receive it, then demean the person for doing what you requested.

Asking for feedback is never a waste of time. Especially if you don’t like what you hear. I recommend you put yourself out there more not hole up in solitude. Maybe try some local photography clubs. You can bring and discuss your photos as well as others. It is a fantastic way to learn! It is humbling! And maybe since you will be getting feedback in person you won’t be so butt hurt about it.

Edit: Also, I recommend The Art of Photography. It might change your mind on the bit about art not being about portraying a message but simply being aesthetically pleasing. PM me and I’ll buy you a copy.

I do know that the first time I read about it, Ryan Brenizer was saying he typically did 4x4 matrix shots. The guide you have with the zig-zag seems more complicated to me but I rarely if ever do any stitching, so maybe it's not so bad.

That being said, I think equipment is the main thing. I don't know what kind of camera you have, but the bigger the sensor the better, and the longer/faster the lens, the better. I'm honestly not sure if an 85mm at f2.0 would be better or worse than a 300mm telephoto at f/5.6 without trying it out. The best would be something like this but I'm guessing you don't have 6 grand to drop on a new lens, haha :)

But I guess if you stitch more photos together you can make up for almost any lack in equipment.

Adobe has some pretty good tutorials, if you're looking to learn a specific thing. Otherwise, basically just messing around with Photoshop helps a lot. Observing the changes that each tool makes sticks in your mind a lot better than being told exactly how to do something. Also, Nik Software has some good filters you can demo and/or buy. I use Color Efex Pro 4, and the skin softener might help you out a lot with your model shots. This book is pretty useful, if you have the time to work through it. I'm taking a class right now, but I honestly have learned more through messing around myself than what the teacher has specifically taught us.

Scott Kelby's The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book for Digital Photographers is an excellent resource and is well worth the $30.

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Purple-Someones-Gonna-Die/dp/0240806883 Check out this book, it's a super cool resource on colors and their meanings in cultures through the world.

The first image is a sparkler, the second could be something as simple as this punk hair toy. One of the tools I use to light paint is a $30 LED brick that works great.

Setup a tripod, depending on your light source and the object you're lighting it will be 1-30+ seconds. If you're using a model they've got to sit very still for as long as the light is interacting with them.

Skin

How to cheat in photoshop

Most things by this publisher are great resources. I recommend the one on color management, and camera raw

If you're the book reading type, I can highly recommend 'Light Science & Magic'. It'll help you grasp the fundamentals of light and how it works and can be manipulated.

Non affiliate Amazon Link

If you learn better from books than online tutorials, this book taught me how to use Curves and you can buy it used for 9 cents plus shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Photoshop-Classic-Guide-Correction/dp/0471403997/ref=pd_sim_b_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=03VVNKZQBM42Z7J110NB

http://www.moderncolorworkflow.com/dan-margulis

https://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-LAB-Color-Adventures-Colorspace/dp/0321356780

Both are good books on color, color correction and color theory.

I'm sure you've seen this webpage, but visit stobist.com or read this book. It helped me learn the basics about using different light sources. https://www.amazon.com/Speedliters-Handbook-Learning-Craft-Speedlites/dp/0134007913/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8

Start with a 30 day trial of Lightroom 4 and purchase this book

Check out Understanding Exposure.

This Kelby book? I'll never understand why so many how-to books for the art field get away with such poorly designed covers.

Canon 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Widely regarded as an incredible lens. £1500 though.

If you are looking for a walkabout/general all-purpose zoom though, maybe look at a 24-70mm f/2.8 if you can afford it. A cheaper option is the 24-105mm which gives you a slightly longer range, but it's only f/4. I have it and I don't use it much so I'm selling mine. I'd rather have the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 + Canon 100mm f/2.8 L II or the Canon 85mm f/1.2

Just an old Spyder 2 Express. Nothing fancy, but it hasn't let me down yet.

Maybe a couple of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Filter-Pieces-Starburst-Olympus-Cameras/dp/B07XB1BDZB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16CFHL5181PZR&keywords=star+filter+55mm&qid=1574448234&sprefix=star+filter%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1