Thanks Michael.

As I experiment with product photography and model renders, I find that the same issues exist in both media.

When taking a photo of a highly reflective object, you are not taking a photo of the object. Rather you are taking a photo of what the object reflects.

For that reason, the photo background, overall environment, and lighting play a major role. I have learned its the same in rendering - picking the right material attributes is important, but the backplate, HDRI environment, and lighting make all the difference. And of course a MoI model!

Ed