[adzling]

wow this is fantastic, really helping me grock it.
I have zero background in photography so this really helps.

i've currently got just the HDRI image via IBL and removed the single fill light i had been using.
gave it a while longer to bake and it's looking much better.
i'll give the discreet emitter approach a whirl next.

here's the latest:

[itsallgoode9]

You really are almost there in this newest image. I would keep that same ibl lighting setup you're currently using and add one large square emitter directly behind your camera, it'll give you a good highlight on the front edge of that pole, running from top to bottom. Right now you'd got the edges defined really well, you just need a highlight to show off the front. Using fire REALLY helps setting up these highlights.

[adzling]

thanks, i'll try the emitter behind the camera in the next test.

so far i have been using the plug-in for formz so unfortunately no Fire

i may have a go at exporting and load it into maxwell studio though...then i could use the interactivity of fire to get that last light right...

thanks again for the help.

[itsallgoode9]

I would highly recommend exporting and using fire if you can't get it after a couple of tries. I do alot of product shots and once FIRE came around it was a lifesaver for being able to control highlights and place them efficiently. Sometimes if a light is off by a few inches it won't show up in a highlight and that's near impossible to figure out which direction you need to move if you have to render every time you move it.