Sorry to weigh in late here - you have gotten some good suggestions already.

One approach is to position the pipe on a small stand covered with black cloth or black velvet. Leave space behind the subject and a black backdrop. Then use a second remote flash positioned below and behind the subject to softly light the backdrop. This is a technique used with portraits and gelled flashes. You might even try a blue gel on the black background to give you a strong contrasting color that can be adjusted in post.

Eric Bowles
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