colored powder (Page 2): Interesting page but not really related is it? inhaling dust wouldn't be too healthy but its not coal or sand and corn starch is edible and probably easier to...

blackest Loc: Ireland

oldtigger wrote:

some how i doubt the AMA, EPA and FDA condone this gross stupidity.
check out:
http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Cancer+-+A+Short+History

Interesting page but not really related is it? inhaling dust wouldn't be too healthy but its not coal or sand and corn starch is edible and probably easier to break down in the body. It's not as if it were pepper spray.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

blackest wrote:

Interesting page but not really related is it? inhaling dust wouldn't be too healthy but its not coal or sand and corn starch is edible and probably easier to break down in the body. It's not as if it were pepper spray.

i was thinking about the aniline dies in the concentrated color packs.

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

many of them are carcinogenic.

oldtigger wrote:

i was thinking about the aniline dies in the concentrated color packs.

blackest Loc: Ireland

melismus wrote:

many of them are carcinogenic.

I haven't found anything to point towards carcinogenic colorings to be used.

e.g 1 page says

"Finally... how can I get the powder off my skin?

The best way to prevent any powder from sticking to your skin is to moisturise well beforehand. Some people also oil their hair so that the powder is easier to remove, or wear a hat. It is also recommended that anyone taking part uses home-made powders with ingredients that are guaranteed to be non-harmful. One way you can do this is by putting together a mix of flour, water and a few splashes of food dye."

Originally Forest flowers were dried for use at festivals.

But current food coloring seems to be mostly safe non carcinogenic at least.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_coloring

Perhaps you can find some sources where carcinogenic chemicals are being used, I failed to find any.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Photoflea if you are involved in a photo session with a model then it is incumbent on you to assure the safety of the talent... Professional responsibility in regard to the health, safety and welfare of all personal involved typically falls on the person in responsible change of the session... If you are working with agency personnel then you will likely have to finish a statement of Liability Insurance... I have also encountered this requirement numerous times when applying for a permit to shoot in public space...

That said, corn starch is typically used along with food coloring... However the real and present danger here is damage to the cornea, iris, pupil etc. As a licensed makeup artist I only used product that is certified for cosmetic use... To do otherwise would likely place a talent at risk... In my formal training we were constantly taught how potentially harmful many products could be when used on persons with unknown allergies.... SOP is to always to a sensitivity patch test at least 24 hours prior to use unknown product (even cosmetic grade) on a new talent...

Also please be advised the food coloring dies are not tested/certified for ophthalmic use... You've been warned!

Other problem areas involve the use of fans to blow hair for creative effect... This can also be highly dangerous in as the talent's hair can wip around at considerable velocity (think angular acceleration here) and cause injury to the sensitive eye area...

So strange that the majority of those responding were only concerned with gear, making no mention of the inherent risk to the talent... Which speaks to want of tenure in actually working on commercial sets...

And while I'm certain many would retort that "others are doing this" that will not bode well as a defense in a civil suite brought against you in a case involving an adverse reaction or physical harm..

When collaborating with others it is always germane to error on the side of caution...

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...

Photoflea

After reading all the posts, I am NOT going to shoot using colored cornstarch, or whatever.
I love my equipment, and refuse to torture it for the sake of a technique.
Also the health ramifications etc.
Again thank you kindly for all the input, happy shooting , Photoflea

Photoflea

OMG... I thought I had an eye opening off the other posts.
I pledge on this day and set forth NEVER to work with these materials.
Thank you kindly for thoughtfully showing me the disadvantages of this technique.
Happy shooting, Photoflea

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

blackest wrote:

Interesting page but not really related is it? inhaling dust wouldn't be too healthy but its not coal or sand and corn starch is edible and probably easier to break down in the body. It's not as if it were pepper spray.

True about being edible, but that is a different animal than breathable. What can be ingested and digested through your intestinal tract is not going to be digested after it coats your lungs. As far as I know, the lungs do not pass out what they come in contact with, like coal dust, etc. that the stomach will pass through. Whatever the lungs get coated with, will affect them to some degree.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Photoflea wrote:

OMG... I pledge on this day and set forth NEVER to work with these materials.

We've saved another one, fellow Hoggers!

blackest Loc: Ireland

jdubu wrote:

True about being edible, but that is a different animal than breathable. What can be ingested and digested through your intestinal tract is not going to be digested after it coats your lungs. As far as I know, the lungs do not pass out what they come in contact with, like coal dust, etc. that the stomach will pass through. Whatever the lungs get coated with, will affect them to some degree.

Bakers Lung maybe ?
http://www.bakersjournal.com/health-safety/a-career-to-die-for-595

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

Photoflea wrote:

where can i find the colored powder they use in shoots ?
Is it safe as far as a person/ or animal inhaling it??
Also what are some of the techniques to this kind of effect? Thank you, and happy shooting

There are several places to buy "Holi" colored powder on line including Amazon. It's 99% corn starch with dye. It is flammable when dispersed in air near a 500F heat source just like creamer, flour, sugar and other normally safe household goods.

During a business trip to India I had the pleasure of witnessing a Holi Festival in the flesh. The mob of joyous partiers take particular pleasure in throwing the color on every foreigner in sight. I can tell you the colored powder gets everywhere and the dye permanently stains clothing, particularly the red. Once you give in and just roll with it the festival is great fun.

Photoflea

I just had a chance to view this article...good grief!
In my heart of hearts I knew it was too much of a stupid prop idea,
I mean that much dust swirling around your camera, your lungs, their lungs....awful,and now looking at the photos I see stupidity. Thanks el capitano

Photoflea

you betcha!! Happy shooting Photoflea

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

Photoflea wrote:

I just had a chance to view this article...good grief!
In my heart of hearts I knew it was too much of a stupid prop idea,
I mean that much dust swirling around your camera, your lungs, their lungs....awful,and now looking at the photos I see stupidity. Thanks el capitano

Stupid idea, yes. But never before or since have I seen such a mass of people (most poverty stricken and destitute) having such a euphoric, joyous time. Think of a political convention with no conflict and replace the signs and hats with flying colored powder. At the end of the days celebration they danced and sang around a gigantic bonfire until the wee hours.

blackest Loc: Ireland

one_eyed_pete wrote:

Stupid idea, yes. But never before or since have I seen such a mass of people (most poverty stricken and destitute) having such a euphoric, joyous time. Think of a political convention with no conflict and replace the signs and hats with flying colored powder. At the end of the days celebration they danced and sang around a gigantic bonfire until the wee hours.

Probably best to take a point & shoot rather than a DSLR, that you could consider disposable. That way you won't be feeling miserable trying to protect your DSLR. It sounds like great fun, take and wear what you would consider disposable and have a great time or just don't go.