Thank you Hans!

I exported the sketchup model to obj using TIGs OBJExporter script.

The default material definition was:
newmtl Translucent_Glass_White15
Ka 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
Kd 0.996078 0.996078 0.976471
Ks 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
d 0.750000
map_Kd my-cylinder-lamp_Textures/Translucent_Glass_White15.jpg

I tried to change the values but could not get the effect that I'm looking for (frosted white glass). With the map_Kd param I have no transparency in the result Create Photo dialog.

If I remove the map_Kd param and add some Illum I get a colorless translucent shape from Create Photo.

The strange thing is that the preview seems to handle the settings better, e.g if I set Ks 0.000000 1.000000 0.000000 I get a translucent green lamp in the preview whereas the rendered photo only gets color reflected upon it.