Is there a difference between the Simple Photo Rendering plugin and the Create Photo tool?

The major difference is that the simple photo rendering plugin works with the Other light types. Both the plugin and the lights are created by Enkonyito.

I didn't want to "cheat" by adding in non-diegetic light sources

Lighting is not cheating.
Nearly all professionals use artificial lighting for interiors.

Our eyes have a dynamic range that no camera can match.
That's why we use artificial lighting, both to compress the dymanic range, and to highlight essential details.


Cecilia