Some help please :)

[MicBagh]

Hey guys,
I am new to the forum and would call myself a beginner when it comes to photography, i have a little bit of knowledge when it comes to photoshop, I am in love with it! ANYWAY, now i own the Canon 500D with the standard 18-55mm lens.

- This is a picture i took not too long ago with the Canon 500D 18-55mm lens (bigger verison click here)

BUT I want to be producing pictures like this

(bigger version click here)

This picture has also been taken with with 500D but I am not sure what lens or if any processing (which im sure there has been) has gone into it.

So my main question is what lens would you recommend to get these kind of quality pictures or even what editing on photoshop could i do?

I know its a long question but i would appreciate ANY kind of help

Thanks a lot!

 

[fokker]

Off camera flash will help to give professional looking pictures.