This is exactly the problem we tackled on a smaller scale in our studio lighting course. While for this image, some may extoll the highlights in the photo. That's not the point. The point is, many customers don't want it. Do you want their business or don't you? We made tents of semi translucent paper to kill the highlights and produce an evenly exposed image as project. As a photographer, you should be able to do it upon request. Another one of my friends went on to shoot catalogues for some of Canada's top chains. It was control of reflections and highlights was what set his work apart. But, it is quite acceptable in art photography to make ue of highlight. The question becomes art photography or commercial photography. If anyone believes they can sell that kind of photo to commercial graphic artists, it's likely they will be disappointed. But if you want to sell photos on the art market, then highlight away. Produce something visually excellent. Rules don't apply.
Because of my training in commercial photography, I find it hard to even evaluate such an image.
Our rules were, no reflections in the product, no highlight. For practice set up a small space to work and try and do a studio commercial image of a spoon. The points that will fail you in a commercial studio course (in 1967 ha ha)
Reflections of photographer , lighting or other studio equipment in the photo.
Blown highlights or dark shadows.
Uneven exposure of the subject.
Those values, not strictly enforced (Where warranted by artistic expression) are good starting points for any exercise of this type. This is an area that will help you improve the rest of your photography.
In the image above, the reflections of the environment in the paint of the car, make the finish look mottled. That will be an absolute no no for a commercial site.
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