How do photographers make the background and floor blend seamlessly in product photos?
Asked 7/5/2023
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I’m curious how photographers create images where the surface under the subject seems to merge smoothly into the background with no visible corner or horizon line. I’ve seen this in product and macro photos, where the object appears to sit in an endless white or colored space. Is this done with a special backdrop setup, lighting, or lens choice?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
34
It's known as Infinite Coving or an Infinity Cove* - basically a constant smooth curve from floor to wall.
From How To Build An Infinity Cove For Photography
All you need to do then is light it evenly…
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For small scale you can just use a piece of paper or card, bent into a gentle curve.
*I've always known it as infinite coving. I think the 'infinity cove' variant has come as a recent linguistic extension of such as the 'infinity pool' you get in expensive hotels ;)
Subsequent comments indicate that my preference may simply be because it was the first name I heard for it.
Possibly more US-based than my own UK, it seems this can also be referred to as a cyc [from cyclorama] wall.
Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user57929
2y ago
0
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Photographers usually create this effect with a seamless background: a sheet of paper, card, or other material that curves gently from the floor up into the background so there’s no sharp corner. This is often called a seamless, infinity cove/coving, or cyclorama (cyc).
For small objects, even a piece of paper bent into a smooth curve can work. The key is even lighting, so the curve doesn’t cast noticeable shadows.
In close-up or macro photography, you can sometimes get a similar look even without a curved backdrop. If the background matches the surface and is placed much farther behind the subject, the shallow depth of field can blur the transition so the boundary disappears. This works best when shooting very close with a macro lens or extension tubes.
So the effect is mainly a combination of:
- a curved or seamless backdrop
- soft, even lighting
- shallow depth of field in close-up shots
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