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How Houdini, Airplanes and Australia Can Make You A Better Photographer

Harry Houdini was a famous magician and escape artist back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. As magicians go, he was competent - but there were many others who were much more skilled. ( Promotion and publicity were his true forte.)

By the way, most people don't realize he started his show biz career at age 10 - as a trapeze artist! Then evolved into a magician...

Finally, following some fortunate advice, he shelved his "King of Cards" act and instead became the "Handcuff King." The rest is history.

So what does this have to do with becoming a better photographer, you ask?

Here's where we connect the dots...

Houdini (actually his name was Erich Weiss) was willing to constantly innovate and try new things! He never grew complacent. His entire life was spent in a constant state of evolution!

So what? What can that do for ME?

Well...how many people do YOU know whose name is so well known, that it actually became a WORD in the dictionary? - Houdinize - to escape from seemingly inescapable bonds.

Do you make it a point to try new things?

How many new photo techniques have you heard of, or read about, that you've never tried? (Infrared, cross processing, etc.)

Why not?

Who knows, THAT technique may be the one that clicks with you and makes YOU a world famous photographer! Trapeze vs. Escapes - would we really remember Houdini - 80 years after his death - if he only stuck with the status quo?

Every day, try to learn something new - AND PUT IT INTO PRACTICE! Master it!

Then, promote yourself at every possible opportunity.

Which brings us to airplanes.

Houdini, always one to try new things, was one of the first people to see the future of aviation and he bought a VIOSIN biplane. And learned to fly it!

In his constant search for new ways to promote himself (he made several movies too!) he knew that tremendous publicity would be attached to the first ones to fly. So, he started looking around for a place where he could set the record.

The first ones to fly in North America was taken by the Wrights. He considered Canada, England, Europe. All were being conquered by other fliers with the same idea - publicity. And the riches that accompany it.

Finally, he booked his show on a tour of Australia and brought his Viosin along. This was not undertaken lightly by the way - Houdini became violently seasick every time he traveled.

But, to be a success - in photography too - we have to be willing to do whatever it takes!

On March 18, 1910, at Digger's Rest, Houdini became the first person to successfully have a powered flight in Australia. The publicity was tremendous and people came to his shows in droves!

So, this is a convoluted (but I hope interesting and informative) way of saying - constantly work to improve your photography and then find ways to promote yourself.

No matter what method you use, do something different, outlandish and memorable. Then, people will have a good reason to remember YOU! Now - about P.T. Barnum...

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