Fuji HS10- Night Time/Skyline

[kertesd]

Ok, So basically, I dont know why I suck, Or what I'm doing wrong but, a few days ago me and my friend went downtown to take some pictures. He was using a Leica lx3 and I was using my HS10, Given my camera has a bigger sensor and is bigger ingeneral I figured my pictures would turn out better. All my pictures were Bland, and nothing to write home about. His on the other hand, had POP, and I've yet to achieve POP in any real Photo's. I was using the exactly the same settings as my friend, but my pictures still sucked, Someone help me out here. Note, the lack of sharpness? Thanks


5'' f3.6



9'' F5
I also tried to take a picture of lightning and completely failed. I dont really know what im doing wrong. This is my first Camera, I've really enjoyed taking HDR's in the past, I have a thing for night pictures NOW, and pictures with blurry red lines, from cars.

Could you recommend a video, post, forum, blog, or something to help me take better pictures + ones at night