This Week's Top 20
1
2
3

Photosynthesis by Andrew Mayne (DVD + Gimmick)


Make ANY image slowly materialize on a blank photo. A limited supply of this hand-made gimmick has arrived. RESERVE YOURS TODAY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
FREE SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES. This product qualifies for PENGUIN FLAT-PACK™ (World-wide free shipping)
Price: $24.95
Out of stock.
andrew-mayne
dvd
hand-out
home-made
illusion
impossible-object
photo
picture
street

+click to enlarge

A spectator signs a card. They're given an undeveloped photograph to hold. The card is lost back in the deck. Before their astonished eyes they watch as the photograph develops into an image of a hand holding their signed card.

Photosynthesis is a powerful way to reveal a word, an image or a signed card.

No special Polaroid camera required!
No refills needed!

Comes complete with the Photosynthesis gimmick and a 24 minute instructional DVD including several routines.

Photosynthesis is a utility prop you can use to make startling revelations. It looks like an ordinary undeveloped instant photograph but will reveal anything you like including words, cards, images and even signatures.

Photosynthesis gives you the magic of instant photography revelations without the need for film or an instant camera. Completely reusable, it's heat activated and can be held in a spectator's hands.

Have a question about this product?
ASK HERE

Featured Magic Tricks

Customer Reviews (showing 1 - 10 of 35)
Showing the
reviews with
containing
May be the greatest gimmick ever Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 25th, 2011
Let me start out by saying this is the coolest gimmick I've ever seen/used/owned.
DVD length: 24 Minutes
DVD Quality: Not outstanding like T11, obviously, but it does get the job done.

I've never seen an ad for an effect as honest as this one is. Everything it says on that page can be done.
At first, I was like, "There's no way the person's actual signature is on that card in the photo." Well, after getting the DVD I had to remove my foot from my mouth. It can actually be done. I was honestly surprised.

The second thing to stand out to me was the fact that a FREELY thought of word can appear on the photo. I had the same thought as before, and once again removed my foot from my mouth when he actually did it.

Andrew goes over all the nuances of the gimmick perfectly and if you keep it preserved right, this thing will last a very long time. I was shocked that Andrew actually invented this thing on his own. <---If you own the DVD you will know why I say this. Do yourself a favor and buy this before it's no longer for sale. These are handmade because of the certain "component" Andrew invented, so that's why it says limited quantities on the ad.

Once you get this, ideas will just start flowing out of you. The first one I had was to hand someone the photo, have another select a card, and then place it face down on the table. The photo is now visible and shows a very blurry image of the card. Attention is now brought back to the card on the table. It's flipped over to reveal all blurry pips.

Buy this DVD. I give it a 9/10
9 of 10 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
For a specific type of spectator Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on August 29th, 2011
Overall, I love this idea. I believe that the concept is genius, and wish I had thought of it. However, I have a couple of issues with using it on a regular basis. One of the issues I identified pretty quickly, and the other took me awhile to put my finger on.

1) While this is a spectacular effect, it isn't exactly something you want to attempt on every single person for whom you perform. There's definitely a specific type of person you want to look for. This is not an effect you're going to perform 100 times per week necessarily. I believe that this should be used like a nuclear weapon. Instead of fired at every opportunity, it should be saved for the right moment to bring down the house. Given the relatively obscure nature of Polaroid cameras these days, and the fact that an extremely inquisitive person is going to want to look it over pretty thoroughly, you seem to do better performing this for spectators who tend toward the naive in the first place. If that sounds condescending, then let me put it a different way. Perform this when you have spectators prone to big reaction, and willing to submit to your spectator control methods. I would NOT perform this for anyone who appeared grabby or standoffish. It's simply too "technological" to go over well in that instance. (I've had a few people think iPhone iForce style technology was in play)

2) I touched on the second issue a bit at the end of the 1st. It took me awhile to realize what was bothering me, but I finally decided that I believe it's simply TOO gimmicky for me to be 100% comfortable with. Again, don't get me wrong, with proper care towards your performance, it's excellent. However, it just makes me picture a man standing in front of an LED television, waving his right hand around the screen with his left hand in his pocket on the power button of the remote, saying, "In a moment I will make this regular run-of-the-mill black box show you glimpses into a world different than your own. You'll see wonderous lands, amazing people, and the 6:00 news, as soon as I complete my magical chant."

I suppose if anyone still carried around a Polaroid camera, it wouldn't give me that pause, but I guarantee you that when you bring out a Polaroid film someone is going to want to see it. You have to have control, and be good at handling misdirection and "outs" to get through this without having to outright say, "No no ... nobody touches it but me."

Overall I would recommend it, because the presentation possibilities are simply endless, but don't be fooled, you need to be good at what you do to make this really work well.
5 of 5 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Not too crazy about this one... plus poorly made/VERY FRAGILE GIMMICK!!! Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on September 1st, 2013
Purchased this March 22nd, 2013; used it about 20-30 times, but at least 16 people out of the 30 guessed the concept correctly (I even guessed how it worked before I had even received this product). The gimmick is alright... I was extra careful when setting this up, however, it ripped a little and if you accidentally bend the gimmick (even a little (NOT CREASE OT, BUT SLIGHTLY FLEX IT) while it's in your pocket) the type of film used will develop bubbles (AGAIN I'M NOT REFERRING TO CREASING THE CARD, BUT FLEXING IT) that will not go away when you use the photosynthesis gimmick to reveal a card. As more of these bubbles form, the image of the card revealed looks... Well... Bad! (I own the old Spider Pen as well as the new Spider Pen Pro and despite the negative reviews on the old one (being made of cheap, easy to break, flimsy materials) it never broke on me because I was extra careful, however, in the case of the gimmick for photosynthesis, I would have to say that this is way more delicate/fragile, than the old Spider Pen that I have). The concept used for this is decent, but it's a little difficult for a worker like me to hand out their signed card (as soon as the effect is over) when I can't!!! I can't let them keep the photo either... So no signed card to hand out and no photo for them to keep (unless I run away for 5-8 seconds, then I can give them their signed card back). I gave this a 2 instead of a 1 because. In short, get this at your own risk. If you're a worker like me, then this could be troublesome as it's not an instant reset and the spectator's card CAN NOT be handed out right after your performance.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Nice! Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 18th, 2012
Dont regret my purchase (especially since it was in the coolbox for next to nothing.

One downside is that I didnt like Mayne's handling for the signed card as you need a special attire. I need to buy an old camera in order to do what I want to do with the signed card version! I wont perform this until I get that!

Nice concept .. good product! Beautiful, magical revelation that is pure eye candy!
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Just OK Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on March 10th, 2012
i have used it
but it is difficult to change colar
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Photosynthesis Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on July 16th, 2011
There isn't anything not to like about this illusion. The concept is simple, yet it really blows peoples minds. This trick gets your imagination flowing right out of the box. I have had this item a short while and I already have four or five different concepts on using it.The DVD offers an excellent explanation. You can anticipate alot of fun with "Photosynthesis". I would definitely add it to your arsenal.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
It's good, but only on certain people. Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 28th, 2011
I got this effect and the first person I showed it to guessed how it work, although I should've seen it coming, because I knew how it worked before getting it. The certain people I'm talking about, are those with innocent minds. Naive or child-like adults. However, I do use it for just that, kids. They have a ball with it and can really get into whatever story you want to present to them.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Andrew Mayne has DONE IT AGAIN. Report this review
Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 25th, 2011
When I first saw this effect, I thought it was cool, but I was a bit skeptical. From the looks of how visual it was and the props it used, I assumed I would have to carry around a SUPER delicate and fragile item and it would only be good for video.

That is the complete opposite of what I got with Photosynthesis. The gimmick is well made, durable and most of all, EASY to use. It's going straight into my show.

THIS is ultra versatile. You can make LITERALLY ANY image appear in the frame. It's really crazy.

HIGHLY recommended.
2 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
very nice idea Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on October 13th, 2013
a very nice idea but its not suitable for every month of the year...!!!
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Great Trick Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on August 30th, 2013
I have been performing this trick everyday all day ever since I got it. It's great... Only thing I wish I'd known before I opened it though, is that the gimmick is extremely fragile. Other than that I think it's a wonderful piece of magic that you can perform in the spectator's hand. There is a nice mentalism angle as well. All in all - Two Thumbs Up!
Did this review help you? Do you want to respond to this review?
Bestsellers
See all bestsellers



Act Builder beta



     Get To Know Us

     Shipping and Store Policies

     Need Help?

Home | About Penguin Magic | The Penguin Foundation

Mail orders: Penguin Magic, 3299 Monier Circle, Unit A, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Call us at 800-880-2592 | International Dial: +1 707-317-6733

© 2002-2023 Penguin Magic. All Rights Reserved.
We hope you found the magic tricks you were looking for!