Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Somehow my photography tends to include water a lot.

I'm working with water in a studio and of course I'm concerned about safety. The floor is pretty wet and the models are barefoot. Now let's take worst case scenario: The Alien Bee drops face forward on the wet ground, flash tube breaks. How dangerous would that be?

Or let me ask the question from the other side. What would be a good extra safety measure when working with Alien Bees in a wet studio? Obviously GFI switches on all units. Is there something like a vibration sensor that cuts off power when there is any movement (someone accidentally tipping over a light)?

I know there is never a 100% safe method, but I would just love to hear some ideas from you guys who have more insight in the Alien Bees.

GfIs would probably provide good safety. The danger is not from the high voltage - that has about the power of a defribilator. The continuous AC power is more dangerous to life. But if the model is just standing in the water and not hanging onto a pipe or something there is no path for current flow.

Thanks a lot, I'll definitely use GFIs.