The Photographic Deck is designed for the working mentalist and magician (that’s you, mate).
Sure, there are other photographic decks out there, but none come close to the genius of Patrick Redford's Photographic Deck. It takes the concept of a simple prop and cranks it up to eleven.
What started as a mere thirteen photographs fifteen years ago has now blossomed into a full deck of 54 stunning images. Each photograph represents a different playing card in a standard deck (52 cards plus two Jokers, for those of you keeping count).
These cards are poker-sized, making them a doddle to handle.
This deck will spice up your card tricks like a good curry (and who doesn’t love a good curry?).
Discover the unique properties of this deck and perform effects you never thought possible.
Feast your eyes on its design.
The Photographic Deck stands apart from the crowd.
Yes, there are lookalikes, but none boast the versatility of the Photographic Deck.
Every photograph secretly corresponds to a playing card from the standard 54-card deck. The connection is so organic that only those in the know will spot the link. You’ve got 26 black and white cards (the black suits) and 26 vibrant colour cards (the red suits). Thirteen clubs and thirteen spades are represented in a logical system, and the same goes for hearts and diamonds.
Check out these eight beauties: the top four are the Kings (left to right: King of Clubs, King of Diamonds, King of Spades, King of Hearts) and the bottom four are the Aces (Ace of Clubs, Ace of Spades, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Hearts).
Easy Peasy to Use
The system is a breeze to learn. You’ll be translating images into playing cards faster than you can say “abracadabra” after you rip open the box.
Marked Cards!
Each card features a unique marking system exclusive to the Photographic Deck. It’s simple enough to read—just glance at any side of the card's back design to figure out its suit and value. This means you can identify cards while they’re spread out, dribbled, or riffled towards your audience (but don’t throw them—magic, not chaos!).
Stack It Up!
Since all 52 cards and the two Jokers are included, you can fit them into any stack you’re already using. The deck comes in a standard “New Deck Order” and can be shuffled into your favourite stacking systems like Si-Stebbins, The Redford Stack, or Tamariz's Mnemonica. A marked and stacked deck of cards is a killer combo—especially when it’s disguised as a bunch of photographs (talk about disarming!).
Easy to Use
Every Photographic Deck comes with a quirky set of routines, but honestly, you can perform virtually any card trick with this deck. Here are a few gems included:
Photo Reading - Have someone pick a photograph and recall a memory tied to it. You’ll accurately describe their age and details without a hint of fishing or cold reading techniques (not that we’re judging those who do!).
Haystack - Participants pull a few photos, shuffle them, and think of one. After mixing them back in, you’ll pinpoint the pile their photo’s in and then narrow it down to the exact image (cue the gasps!).
The Cardboard Box Mystery - One participant pictures an item in a photo of an empty cardboard box while another picks a photograph. Spoiler alert: they both think of the same image!
Number Prediction - A unique prediction using one of the special cards!
Slots! - Adjust a photograph of a slot machine to win yet again and watch the photo drop real coins into life (who says magic can’t pay off?).
Stab Your Mate - A photo is set aside without peeking. You throw a stop sign photo into the deck, and it lands next to the only other related image. Is it skill or just luck? You decide!
Hide & Seek - You play psychic, then let your spectator take a turn. Things start off well, but then it gets a bit bonkers.
Photographic Memory - Teach the audience to memorise the order of thirteen photographs through a story. Then, after mixing them up, they somehow rearrange them back into the right order (magic? Or just clever?).
Cardboard Box Secrets - There are sneaky designs to exploit. Can’t spill all the beans without ruining the surprise!
Dash of Curry - Cut the deck in two, let the participant pick a photo, and the one at the same position in the other half relates back to it perfectly. The other photos? No logical connection whatsoever. How’s that for a twist?
Photomancy - Two photos are chosen, and the deck acts as a divination tool to reveal them in a unique way.
Small World - Almost any “Out of this World” effect is possible with the Photographic Deck. “Small World” happens to be our personal favourite, originally released in a book of the same name, and it’s included as a cheeky bonus!
And so much more!
Along with the main deck, you’ll snag the Mental Expansion pack and the Magic Expansion pack.
The mental expansion pack includes 18 special cards that match the look and feel of the base Photographic Deck, allowing for six additional effects!
