FotoU, the UK-based theme park photography systems specialist, recently acquired two new contracts, as the company continues to embrace new technologies and hone its client offering.

The group, which provides a comprehensive set of solutions for theme park and attractions operators, has installed a new photo system in the vortex tunnel at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! in London.

"The tunnel is a walkthrough spinning tunnel which gives the visitor the illusion that they are revolving due to the tunnel spinning all around them," said the company's Jon Sprank. "We have installed an infrared sensor linked to a camera and flash unit that captures visitors at the optimum moment.

"They then exit the tunnel," he continued, "and the images captured are shown on two large 50-inch screens. This has made the camera system an attraction in its own right, with people repeatedly going through the tunnel and viewing the pictures."
 
Elsewhere, FotoU has also acquired an installation contract with Cardiff International White Water - a man-made white water rafting run located next to Cardiff Bay in Wales, UK. Once installed, the dual camera system will capture the rafts at the biggest drop, with the camera and flash being housed in a waterproof unit triggered by sensors on the course.

"In the main building, the shots taken from a particular session can be viewed on a POS pod with touchscreen technology and 50-inch LCD preview screens," Sprank said. "The final images have overlays with CIWW logo and the 'Not For Drips' logo superimposed onto the photo.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank InterPark magazine, who put us in touch with Cardiff Council."