The ‘Cove’ in a Photography Studio

Every photographer knows that one of the greatest challenges when creating the perfect shot is isolating the subject while ensuring a clean, professional background. Enter the infinity cove, a staple of modern photography studios that has become invaluable for photographers across various genres. Whether you’re shooting a full-body fashion look or a small jewellery piece, an infinity cove delivers a seamless, distraction-free backdrop that elevates your images to a new level of professionalism.

 

What is an Infinity Cove?

An infinity cove, sometimes called an infinity curve or cyclorama wall, is a specially designed feature in photography studios. Its main characteristic is a smooth, curved transition between the wall and the floor, eliminating the hard angles and shadows you’d typically find in a regular room. This gives the illusion of endless space, making it appear like the background continues forever. Photographers often use these coves for clean, minimalist backdrops, as they allow for easy post-production editing and seamless subject isolation.

Infinity coves are most commonly painted white, but they can also be found in green for chroma key purposes, making them highly versatile for both photography and video production. While larger studios may have permanent, built-in coves, smaller or portable versions can be created for product photography or more intimate shoots.

 

Why Photographers Love Infinity Coves

The infinity cove’s ability to create a visually infinite space has made it a favourite among photographers, videographers, and special effects artists. Here’s why:

• Seamless Backgrounds

One of the primary advantages of an infinity cove is that it allows photographers to create images with a flawless, continuous background. There are no corners, edges, or shadows, making it easy to direct all attention to the subject.

• Post-Production Simplicity

With no background distractions, editing becomes significantly easier. Photographers can quickly remove the background, tweak lighting, or adjust contrast without worrying about uneven surfaces or hard lines. This is particularly useful for commercial and product photography, where a clean presentation is paramount.

• Lighting Control

Infinity coves work beautifully with soft, diffused lighting. By strategically placing lights, photographers can achieve smooth, even illumination across both the subject and the backdrop. This prevents unwanted shadows and keeps the attention focused where it matters most.

• Versatility

Whether you’re shooting portraits, fashion, or products, the infinity cove adapts to your needs. Its clean look suits simple, understated shots and artistic, ethereal scenes. Many photographers appreciate the “heavenly” or “otherworldly” feel that an infinity cove can provide with the right lighting and composition.

 

Creating the Perfect Infinity Cove Shot

Preparation is vital for photographers looking to get the most out of an infinity cove. A pristine, clean background is crucial, as even the smallest blemish can disrupt the illusion of infinity. Studios take great care to keep their infinity coves in immaculate condition, and regular maintenance is essential.

The lighting setup is just as important as the physical cove. Soft, diffused light helps to eliminate harsh shadows and create a uniform look. Large softboxes, overhead lights, or even natural light (when possible) can contribute to the ideal lighting conditions. Photographers can avoid shadowing that could ruin the continuous effect by positioning lights to cover both the subject and the cove itself.

Portable or scaled-down infinity coves are often used for smaller-scale shoots, such as jewellery or product photography. Simple setups can involve using clean white paper, curved to create a similar seamless effect, or small, pre-made cove backgrounds designed for desktop photography. Regardless of the size, the goal remains to remove distractions and allow the product or subject to shine.

 

Infinity Coves in Fashion and Portrait Photography

Infinity coves are particularly popular in fashion photography. Their expansive, continuous background is perfect for full-body shots and dynamic poses, allowing photographers to capture models without worrying about background elements disrupting the composition. The result is a clean, polished look focusing entirely on the subject and their outfit.

Similarly, portrait photographers often use infinity coves to create elegant, minimalistic portraits. The seamless background adds an element of sophistication to portraits, providing a “blank canvas” feel that emphasises the subject’s features without distraction. It also allows for a creative play with lighting, enabling photographers to sculpt their subject’s face and body with highlights and shadows.

 

Infinity Coves in Special Effects and Videography

While infinity coves are commonly associated with photography, their uses extend into special effects and videography. By painting the cove green, studios can create a chroma key background for video projects. This allows videographers to easily replace the background during post-production, transporting their subject to any location or environment without needing expensive set-building or location shooting.

An infinity cove can be a lifesaver for special effects artists. It simplifies the task of editing out background objects or creating complex visual effects, saving both time and budget.

 

Building and Customising Your Infinity Cove

While many studios are equipped with professionally constructed infinity coves, creating your own is possible. Building an infinity cove involves curving the connection between the walls and floor using plywood or other flexible materials and then painting the surface for a smooth, continuous finish. Simple alternatives like white paper rolls or pre-made curve backdrops can offer similar results if you’re working on a budget or in a smaller space.

For studios that frequently use an infinity cove, maintenance is key. The surface must be regularly repainted or cleaned to remain spotless. Durability is also a factor to consider when building or purchasing a cove. Materials like glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) are popular for their strength and long-lasting properties.

 

Your Photography Studio with an Infinity Cove

In today’s competitive photography market, standing out is essential. An infinity cove provides a tool for creating professional, high-quality imagery that impresses clients and helps photographers build their reputation. Whether you’re shooting fashion, products, portraits, or videos, the infinity cove offers an elegant, flexible solution for creating clean, distraction-free images.

For studio owners, having an infinity cove also opens up opportunities to hire out your space for shoots, further increasing your business potential. Whether investing in a pre-built cove, building one yourself, or using smaller setups for product shoots, the benefits are clear: cleaner shots, easier editing, and a professional finish your clients will love.

In short, the infinity cove is more than just a feature of a photography studio—it’s a gateway to creative freedom, precision, and professional polish that sets your work apart from the rest.

 

Hiring a Studio With Infinity Cove

The Location Guys has a selection of photographic studios to hire for your next shoot, with infinity coves ranging from full wraparound to bijou studios with 5m coves.