Hello Scott and welcome to the forum,
Reveals, I know what you mean some can be a real pain but I have been working for a window company and thats all i did for weeks so I have a nack of it now but to be honest i think its just practise and dont play with it.
BUT I dont like using athe corner trowel I laike to do the two opposites and when they have turned I like to do the other two that way you have a hard edge to pull off and the corners seem alot crisper.... takes longer but then its Day work so I am in no rush...lol
As far as lighting, you cant beat natural light however I do have lights which i got when I was on site they were just the ones they use to light corridors ect and they seem to be ok I gut the ends off and put a 110v plug on it.
But ceilings in natural light is best
Hope this is of some use
Danny