Product photography: How do you create this background?

[eye2i]

I'm curious to know how to create a reflective background like the one below. Do I use a glass underneath black cloth or would I need a black platform with a glossy finish? And how many lights are required for a shot like this?

http://www.newkicksontheblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/nike-air-jordan-spizike-black-gold.jpg

 

[ndn_styl]

You can use black acrylic....

Or even better, you can get a clear acrylic sheet cut to whatever size you want and just use your background paper (under it) for it to match whatever color product you are shooting.

This photo you posted here, looks kinda Photochopped... The front part of the sole refection doesn't match.

 

[Rob_H]

When I took the shot below a couple of weeks back I used a large sheet of black acrylic, note camera angle plays a big part in getting a good reflection, ideally I should have lowered the camera down a bit to get a better reflection.

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One Strobe Challenge by *Rob*, on Flickr

 

[Red1]

I have used a large piece of clear plexi to get a reflection on white paper, but when I tried it with black I got a lot of reflection off the light source. I should have played with it more as I'm sure adjusting the light angle would have helped but I just didn't have the time. Any tips?

Here's clear plexi on white paper.

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[Mike66]

Here is one method by Larry Becker from Larryscheapshots.com:

Black Reflections

 

[Free Range Otter]

I could be mistaken, but I agree with Mike and Rob. This looks like black acrylic or plexiglass, with - I'm guessing - two softbox strobes, one to the left and one to the right, based on the reflections (you can see the toe of the shoe is a bit brighter, indicating a strobe to the left, and the edge of the back of the shoe is pretty bright, indicating a strobe to the right).

Again, just guessing, but that's what it looks like to me.