HP recommends throwing their cameras -- a lot

Any drunken photog knows that a perfectly timed toss and self-timer firing makes for some interesting snaps. In fact, we've seen product concepts dedicated to the idea already. Still, it's a bit surprising to find HP recommending that you "Toss your camera in the air" for "experimental aerial" photography. "Try this several times and you'll end up with a photo unlike all the rest." Yeah, and a busted cam. Still, what better advice to keep the consumption crunch in full grind.

Update: Presumably after consultation with legal, HP has removed their recommendation from the site. Toss at your own risk kids.

[Thanks, Brent]

[Richard Lai @ Apr 13th 2007 9:32AM]

Yeah, like we're gonna buy a new camera from HP if we break ours.

[dnt worry @ Apr 14th 2007 3:20AM]

yeah most people will. we all aren't fat 1337 nerds like you.

[csnoke @ Apr 13th 2007 9:34AM]

I can't think of a better brand of camera to throw in the air than a HP.

[Solomon @ Apr 13th 2007 10:02PM]

csnoke: a better brand to throw in the air:

How about Polaroid?

[Smudded @ Apr 13th 2007 9:35AM]

If they recommend this kind of thing wouldn't they be opening themselves up to being responsible for cameras that break in the process?

[Marc @ Apr 13th 2007 9:39AM]

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cameratoss/

It's been done HP

[Jason @ Apr 13th 2007 9:41AM]

Oh sweet irony, their cameras are the only piece of consumer electronics that I have never considered tossing. Their notebooks and printers on the other hand.......

[f00b4r @ Apr 13th 2007 10:13AM]

Let's all go to that HP page and vote for its usefullness. Let's see if they can come up with more of these gems.

[harpreet @ Apr 13th 2007 10:59AM]

I m pretty sure that no insurance policy will cover this camera.

[Pal @ Apr 13th 2007 11:14AM]

I think it's even stranger that they recommend tying some string around your camera to lower into potentially dangerous, off-limits places.

[Dan @ Apr 13th 2007 11:59AM]

Better have Best Buy accidental coverage if you were not to catch your camera upon landing.

[Froggy @ Apr 13th 2007 12:02PM]

seems fair to me.. from HP's standpoint. You can either catch the camera or not... either way, after a few attempts, you have a busted camera, that will not be replaced by HP. Maybe repaired, on your dime... Then you get to buy a new camera, maybe still from them...

[John Stracke @ Apr 13th 2007 12:13PM]

When planned obsolescence just isn't enough.

[Nando @ Apr 13th 2007 12:15PM]

You could make some kick-ass desktop wallpapers doing this though.

[Bill @ Apr 13th 2007 1:07PM]

That's how the cover photo on the Latest Adobe Acrobat was made:

http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2007/03/acrobat_makes_p.html

--Bill

[victor @ Apr 13th 2007 1:57PM]

One can picture the meeting... "Bob, sales are flat. We need some out-of-the-box thinking to get people buying our cameras again."
"Let's encourage them to break the things, so they have to buy more!"
"Genius, let's do it."

[SuperChuck @ Apr 13th 2007 3:08PM]

It seems to me that this would make tossing the camera "within recommended usage guidelines".

While it seems silly to claim that throwing something is "within recommended usage guidelines," most sporting equipment is warrantied and is fully intended to be thrown/kicked/hit/punted/etc.

[Dan @ Apr 13th 2007 4:04PM]

I imagine that this doesn't apply to DSLR's? D:

[treetrunk @ Apr 13th 2007 6:15PM]

Anyone else read this and then immediately try it? Pretty cool. I think "spinning" is probably a safer technique than "throwing" - as in, just set the camera spinning about its axis without chucking it high in the air. If you're worried about breaking your camera either do it over something soft, or if your camera has a strap just swing it around by that (though this is a bit more restrictive to where it can go).

[Dave @ Apr 14th 2007 1:04AM]

Tossing has been done for a long time. Folks are routinely throwing cameras way more than 6 feet in the air. Have a look at this weblink to an on-going exhibit at the Torrance CA Art Museum.

http://projects.ryangallagher.name/cameratoss/gallery/show/web.php

3 megapixels just don't cut it in my opinion. Toss away.

[ace @ Apr 14th 2007 2:48AM]

Try calling HP for tech support over camera damage
You will not even get past the voice prompts
Remember to demand a supervisor
www.aceemploymentservices.net

[Richard Lai @ Apr 14th 2007 5:22AM]

Come back when you know more about the camera market, kid. And grow up.

[kheller @ Apr 15th 2007 5:10PM]

Let's use a modicum of common sense here. Obviously, you catch the camera when you throw it. And it's not as if you'll be throwing it 6 feet in the air.

[Jonathan @ Apr 15th 2007 7:34PM]

Actually, its been done at http://lightxposed.blogspot.com/

Click on free downloads and see what I have to offer. I agree, camera tossing isnt right for everyone. You gotta be confident in your tossing (and catching) abilities while also focusing on artistry and physical rotation of the camera itself.