Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Inflatable Photo Studio Is a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen



I so wanted to laugh at the IPS, or Inflatable Photo Studio, when I saw it. Luckily it is easy to do so. The giant black plastic balloon is actually ideal for quickly setting up a controlled shooting environment in minutes, but its website is as laughable as the machinations of the fashion-industry itself.
This (annoying Flash) site could only have been built in the U.S.A, land of the lawsuit. Almost every part on the site, from the Q&A to a section marked ?Important? has a warning of some kind. Here is one of the best, as transcribed from the Flash monstrosity by our favorite Strobist Mr. David Hobby.
It is not recommended that you smoke, cook or have any open flames in the studio. Also lights can become very hot and melt the studio. Do not rest lighting or position it against the sides. Curling irons, hair driers [sic] irons, and steamers can also melt the plastic causing rapid deflation or possible fire.
Or what about this one, concerning the use of the big bubble-tent in wind:
Its [sic] not concrete. But if you?re shoot in an air bubble in gale force winds then yes its [sic] going to move around a bit [...] It is not recommended that you inflate these on cliffs, dams or areas with strong wind gusts.
If you want more, then here it is:
DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE INSIDE WHILE DEFLATING! It is recommended that in the event there is a power failure that you crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest exit. In the event of a rapid deflation is is best to NOT PANIC, keep your arms up at an angle in front of you.

This last is accompanied by a photo of Shatner?s Kirk choking to death.
But back to the actual product. The 6-10mm-thick plastic is welded into a giant black balloon which is inflated by a fan connected to an entry tube. The tent is black inside to prevent light spill, and can be pumped up ready for action in 3-4 minutes.
There are two sizes, the smaller 12 x 7 x 10 foot version and a lager 20 x 12 x 12-foot model. Both can be had with or without fans, at $330/$400 or $350/$500 respectively. This is surprisingly cheap for photo gear.
Go check out the site. It?s worth it for a few minutes amusement. Especially good is the glimpse of what look like capri-pants on the boy-model in the video.
Inflatable Photo Studio [IPS via Strobist]
See Also:
Inflatable Bike-Bag for Air-Filled Air-Travel
Blow Up the Big Screen with the Inflatable Outdoor Theatre ?
Designers Imagine Portable Homeless Shelters
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