Much better than the one with the black background. The pros will tell you that hot spots are really hard to eleminate on pieces with a high gloss finish. Keep working at it and experiment with you light placements. You'll get it where you want it soon. 8)
I tried covering the light with a handkerchief and it softened the light far too much. I'll try more placement positions. I didn't seem to have that problem with the pieces with a waxed satin finish. Thanks for the input. I guess the hotspots almost look like eyes staring back at me saying "move the lights".
I actually like the darker background in the other photo better although this one is a sharper image. Maybe if this were more of a gray or more neutral background it would help. If you get on eBay and search for photo tents you can get one pretty cheap. Or make one. But they make all the difference in the world. My wife uses one to photgraph her watercolors and it eliminates almost all the problems associated with the hotspots and shadows. Her's is set up with a 35mm for slides but I'm thinking of getting another setup for digital because she won't let me mess with hers to take pictures of my work.
I think it would be better with a background less similar to the bowl, Gray perhaps.
I recently attended a session on photography with Dick Moody at the rocky Mtn. Symposium. For background he uses various colors of construction paper. It gives a flat, nonreflective background and you can change the colors easily and it very inexpensive. Following his suggestions I have been having good luck with photographing outside on a sunny day but under a covered veranda. No hot spots and few reflections but plenty of light.
I really like the bowl, nice wood, great shape.
