How much finishing that is applied on leathers from the tannery varies vastly, some casein finished box calf can be really shiny and have a nice depth already from the start, but most leathers are actually more or less dull and lifeless when delivered. Especially unfinished (note, not the same as undyed) crust calf or similar, which are left for the maker to burnish in a desired direction. Above shows the huge difference between unfinished and burnished.
Note that it’s only one layer of neutral shoe cream applied here, albeit with pretty heavy pressure. If one would want a more uniform burnish, one would apply more layers and use less pressure, and if one would want to darken more use pigmented darker cream. With that and really high pressure (or use a polishing wheel) on for example the toe one could make an even bigger difference from the original. And of course, with wax polish a nice shine will be brought out as well. The shoes here are a bespoke pair by Melker Shoes, made in a delicate Saint Crispin babycalf crust leather.
