How to: Precision in black

by Aquilino Paparo

Precision in Black is about transforming a technical object into a sculptural presence that appears to float within darkness. In this approach, black is not treated as empty space but as an active visual field in which light becomes a structural element. Absolute control of reflections is essential, particularly when working with glass and metal surfaces, where every highlight must be intentional and precisely shaped. To achieve this level of control, the lighting was built around a Senso 2400 power pack combined with Litos flash heads, providing consistent output and fine control over light quality. 

The main light was created using a softbox connected to a Litos head, positioned laterally and slightly behind the subject to sculpt a clear three-dimensional form without flattening the design. For separation from the black background, a Picolite equipped with a snoot was used to generate a narrow, controlled edge highlight that enhances depth while maintaining a clean, minimal aesthetic. Additional accents were introduced with a Picolite fitted with a projection attachment, allowing precise illumination of selected areas without unwanted spill, which is crucial when black itself is a defining compositional element. 

Due to the extremely short shooting distance, depth of field was minimal, making focus stacking a necessary part of the process. A total of 70 images were captured with incremental focus adjustments and later combined in Phocus to achieve uniform sharpness across the entire object. When the lighting is this controlled and intentional, post-production serves only to refine the image, preserving the sculptural clarity, technical precision, and minimalist visual language that define this approach to still life photography. 

Credits:
Photo: Aquilino Paparo
Studio: Next Studio 77