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Flip-photos fascinate at Southeast Center

You could argue the worth of a photo far beyond a thousand words, but when the people in your picture frames begin to move, it will leave you with none.

On Feb. 10 Campus Life held an event at the Southeast Center that featured flip-photos, a style of holographic photography where one card, featuring superimposed ridges, alternates between multiple pictures depending on the angle one views it.

“[It’s] about time,” said Nicole Young, 26, a professional health and science major who, after taking photos with her friends, added, “we need more stuff like this down here”.

Hired for the event was Fun Affairs, an Easton, Pa. business that specializes in private events which, like this one, are usually held at colleges.

Their catalog spans more than 50 different entertainment products, ranging from moon bounces and other inflatable playgrounds, to Stuff-A-Plush, a stuffed toy creation event similar to Build-ABear.

Additionally, there are larger than life games like Soccer Shootout, arts and crafts, and entertainers, including clowns and balloonists.

Amy Gaudioso, director of Campus Life, said that Fun Affairs has been hired previously for similar events such as Chocolate Dipping, where participants dip various foods into liquid chocolate, and Big Chair Photos.

The holographic imaging showcased has been a popular enhancement of trading cards, home video covers, and greeting cards among other products.

It was not yet Q-time, the break between classes and yet the pseudophoto lab was already set up just outside the Southeast Center’s café area.

Randal McBride, 24, and Rae, who chose to not disclose her full name, 22, employees for Fun Affairs adjusted the lighting, started the digital programs on their iBook 4, and asked the few students mingling in the café to try it out.

William, 26, an administration of justice major who chose to not disclose his full name, walked through the school’s front door, and when asked to participate, decided to start the fun.

Before stepping in front of the camera he paused and asked what a flipphoto was adding, “more importantly, how much will it cost?”

“Absolutely free,” Randall said, getting behind the iBook.

“I see what you think of us,” Rae said in a fake hurt voice, which got everyone laughing.

Once in front of the camera, William was told to make two poses.

Randal told William that the poses should reflect his personality, a tenet of the company.

So William first covered his face with his hands and then lifted them away to make a “surprise” expression.

After a minute of processing and printing, it was time to trim the sides and then stamp the ridged, plastic card over the picture.

Looking over his card, William said of the brief experience, “It’s kinda cool, and different. It gets you out of your comfort zone.”

He then joked that it would be fun to hide it in someone’s cereal box.

As Q-time drew closer, more students began to appear, either arriving through the front door, on their way from class.

Some came forward, some just watched, but it seemed most weren’t sure of what to make of the event.

A group of students, after a lot of questioning and contemplation, decided on first an embrace, and then a “ta-da” pose.

Another woman, standing alone, simply raised her arms into different formations.

Then Young and her friends, who included Angelique King, 24, a natural science major, took individual and group photos.

“There’s a first time for everything,” said King, after she concurred with Young that such events have been largely absent from the Southeast Center.

Some students weren’t even aware the event was going to be held.

“I was just coming in for my textbook,” said Tasha Hands, 30, psychology major.

Campus Life will be hosting a number of other events throughout the rest of the semester at the Southeast Center such as “Africa’s Not a Zoo,” a documentary being shown April 13 and 14, Spring Fling April 18 and even a free chair massage May 4.

“I’m excited,” said Hands, looking around at the ever-growing crowd. “Now we have something.”

Contact Robert Tierney at communitarian@dccc.edu

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