We use a relatively simple model so we can focus our efforts on techniques that you can reuse in your own scenes. What's covered in this tutorial is listed below.
1. Scene setup and introduction to linear workflow
2. Gamma correction and understanding color space
3. Setting up physical sun and sky
4. Tone mappers in Maya simple exposure and photographic exposure
5. Blocking out the main scene with the mental ray architectural material
6. Creating a swimming pool shader basic lighting and viewport 2 setup
7. Building more complex shading networks with the arc design material
8. Creating custom reflection / bump and displacement maps in Photoshop
9. Building more complex shading networks with the arc design material continued
10. Creating clouds and then animating them for time-lapse shots
11. Using mental ray production shaders to control our scene, custom reflections and eye rays
12. Photometric lighting in Maya explained
13. Outside lighting and visible light geometry
14. Finishing the shading of the scene, quick way to create grass, inside lighting
15. Finishing the scene shading continued
16. Creating curtains with ncloth
17. Rendering a separate scene background and final image tweaks.
http://simplymaya.com/autodesk-maya-video-tutorial/lighting-and-rendering/exterior-lighting-in-mental-ray/?tut_id=308&sub_cat=0