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Photography
A bit about paranormal photography
The most exciting time in a new ghost hunter’s life is when he or she catches that first orb on film. But what is an orb anyway, and how do you know you have caught one?
Normally when we (at BMGHA) catch an orb or some reasonable facsimile on film or digital medium, we report it as an anomaly. Realistically, it is a blob of light on a piece of photo paper or on the computer screen. If you can zoom in and see some legs, that’s not it; that’s a bug. An orb is only visible after the shot is taken; so are some bugs.
An orb can be anything reflective–flake of snow, drop of water, piece of dust, metal object, bug, etc., etc. It also could be something paranormal. Of the tens of thousands of photographs and snapshots I have taken in my life, only a relative few show these anomalies. How coincidental is it that most of these few were found in photos taken in places reputed to be haunted? On the other hand, anomalies can and do appear in photos taken almost anywhere. If it is just dust, why don't we always get dust even in supposedly haunted locations? How do we manage to get images of dust that seem to be a ways from the lens? Is the flash that good?
Some experienced investigators do not put much stock in orbs, and do not consider them to be legitimate evidence of the paranormal. These investigators are imposing positivistic standards on evidence. Because one can create an orb effect by whacking a rug with a stick and then taking a picture, there is little to be induced by the presence of an orb in a photo.
Others swear by their existence and photos taken in dusty or in misty conditions are considered to be rife with paranormal activity whether they are or not. Many of these investigators have elaborate theories to explain the nature, purpose, and characteristics of orbs. As with all paranormal phenomena, no one really knows for sure. If photos showing orbs are present when there are other phenomena also present, then one is justified in concluding that there is paranormal activity in this location.
Personally, I have taken a middle position. Some anomalies seem to have characteristics that are different from what you get with dust and mist and bugs. [As an investigator, you should be testing different conditions to see what effects materialize.] These anomalies, in conjunction with other evidence, can at least lead to the conclusion that yes, maybe these are paranormal phenomena. There are other anomalies I have seen, such as photos showing mist that was not there when the picture was taken, that defy conventional explanation. I have seen many of these, and offer examples below.
Common suggestions for telling the difference between an orb and something more mundane include the following:
1. Orbs are round rather than hexagonal (knowing something about optics, I am not sure I accept this one, though lens flare is often hexagonal).
2. Orbs sometimes have tails on them, giving the impression of motion.
3. Orbs show a layered effect or internal patterns reminiscent of snowflakes.
4. Orbs seem to be generating their own light, making them brighter than dust or water vapor (if that was true, one should be able to see them without a camera–some claim you can).
Prevailing theory among those who consider orbs to be paranormal suggests that they are bundles of energy used by spirits to transport themselves. There are many forms of energy with conventional, or at least explainable, mechanisms that are known to research scientists. These forms of energy can manifest themselves in astonishing ways. Yet, who is to say that any form of energy is not paranormal? We still cannot explain how the spark of life first enters and then leaves the body without falling back on belief.
richard
The two photos below were taken about 50 feet apart during an investigation. It was in early evening, temperature was in the 70s and humidity was low. The location was a public estate near Dubuque, IA featuring four prehistoric Native American mounds. Not all of these mounds were used for burials, but many of the conical shaped ones, such as these, were. I was standing on a road for both shots. The first photo was taken toward the mounds, which can be seen down the left side. This photo shows nothing unusual. The second photo was taken near the first and largest of the mounds. Depending on who is counting, there are 23 anomalies. It is interesting to note the variation among the anomalies.
This photo, taken during an investigation in an old mill, now a B&B in NE Iowa, shows more in the way of examples of variation among the anomalies.
A CLOSER LOOK AT ORBS
MORE INTERESTING ANOMALIES
The two shots below were taken using a popular technique of taking two pictures in rapid succession. The photographer, however, was a member of a construction crew documenting the construction of a new truss arch building, and not an investigator. You can see that the vent above the door is not yet installed. He took the second photo only seconds after the first because he thought there was something wrong with the camera. The building was erected on an asphalt parking lot in Massachusetts during the summer.
The following picture was taken during an investigation at the Mason House Inn in Bentonsport, Iowa. The anomaly showing is obviously a refraction of the camera's flash on the wall, which gets its shape from the mirror itself and the objects on the dresser. However, had this image been seen by the naked eye under different lighting conditions, it is easy to see how it could be mistaken for an apparition.
THERMAL IMAGING
Please feel free to weigh in on the value of photography to investigations. Photos and comments can be sent to us by email. Contributors retain all rights to their contributions.
