This Giant Clam shell is a museum exhibit. It stands about
50 cm high. Lighting was from several incandescent lights above and the camera flash.
The camera was hand held about 2 metres from the subject, using a 35mm equivalent focal
length of about 100mm.
Many inanimate subjects are quite easy to photograph since they don't move.
Many natural objects are also not reflective and so the camera flash can be used. There may
be other difficulties such as getting close enough but it is usually quite
easy to get good details in most objects.