Paranormal Photography 101

by Christi Brunet

     As Paranormal Investigators, our ultimate goal in any investigation is to always find the cause behind any reported paranormal activity and document it. So we start with the most obvious non-paranormal possibilities and begin the process of elimination. When we have exhausted all these options and are still unable to come to a reasonable cause for the activity, then we are left with exceptionally possible paranormal evidence.

     In the area of photographic documentation, there are many naturally and mechanically explained phenomena that occur quite often that are sometimes mistaken as authentic proof of paranormal activity.

    So how does an investigator know what is authentic and what is not? One very important thing any investigator can do is to educate themselves about camera's and how they really work. Once the basic foundations of photography are understood, it is much easier to analyze your images and eliminate a lot of the false evidence you may collect.

     For instance, one of the most common things investigators encounter in our photographs are orbs and/or vortexes. What we want to do is distinguish whether or not the image captured is paranormal in nature or not. Some of the more common natural causes for orbs range from dust, to insects, to environmental elements.

     Considering the nature of what we do, as well as where, and when we do it, has a huge impact on the possibility of capturing false evidence when it comes to orbs. A thorough investigator will always take careful note of their surroundings to distinguish what variables to consider when trying to analyze a photograph.

     When investigating an old, dusty building the most logical probability for orbs in photos will be dust kicked up by the investigator and illuminated by the flash. In businesses or residences; the air conditioning, fans, and heating should be turned off, to eliminate the possibility of dust being blown from and around air vents.

     Outdoor investigation sites are an excellent example of how environmental elements can produce misleading images. Insects and blowing particles, when captured at a slow shutter speed, can produce very “unnatural” looking motion blurs. This, accompanying the reflection from a flash, will almost always produce what can be easily mistaken for glowing anomalies. However, it is simply an insect or dust .
 

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