How are such awesome graphics created?

[veenuisthebest]

Hello,

Please anybody tell me how do we create such beautiful high quality, detailed graphics. They look almost real with life. What are the first steps required in it? Can it be all done with just Photoshop?

Would really appreciate some ideas.

Thanks, below are some of those I am talking about.
PS: All of them are from iconspedia, and is fine to display them like this.

[Shazz]

Adding the right texture, shines and glows etc. I think it can all be done in photoshop

I would start off with some tutorial videos with it