| Easily one of the most misunderstood and often | | | | photographer's finger that was captured. Too little |
| misinterpreted aspects of paranormal research is | | | | light, too much light, a slow shutter speed, improper |
| paranormal photography. | | | | camera settings, bugs flying by the camera, a camera |
| While it is important to utilize a still frame camera in a | | | | strap in the lens, cigarette smoke, or dust and rain |
| paranormal investigation, it is also easy to misuse it or | | | | drops can all produce what appears to be a |
| misinterpret the images it captures. In spite of this, the | | | | paranormal anomaly. It happens all too frequently. |
| camera is a valuable piece of equipment for the | | | | Taking good pictures is a skill that takes time to |
| paranormal investigator for documenting the | | | | acquire. Some paranormal investigators have even |
| investigation or possibly capturing an excellent | | | | taken photography classes at their local community |
| paranormal image. | | | | college to improve their photography skills. This can |
| Cameras come in different types with lots of different | | | | be very helpful in becoming a better paranormal |
| features. There is the conventional film camera | | | | investigator and photographer. |
| which uses film requiring processing and the digital | | | | In spite of the dilemmas of photography, it is still |
| camera which places a digital image stored on a | | | | possible to capture a very good paranormal image, |
| memory card for viewing on a computer or directly | | | | but the paranormal research team should be |
| from the camera. The advantage of the film camera | | | | cautious in deciding which pictures actually show |
| is that while the pictures are superior and it provides a | | | | something paranormal and not be quick to present it to |
| negative which can be used to determine the | | | | others as such unless absolutely sure it is worthy of |
| authenticity of the image, the processing of film can be | | | | being presented. Pictures of orbs should especially |
| very expensive. Digital cameras have become more | | | | be scrutinized because of the numerous causes of |
| popular in the paranormal field but because of the | | | | orbs in pictures such as dust and moisture in the air. |
| availability of photo imaging software such as | | | | It may a good idea to get several opinions or even |
| Photoshop and others, manipulating images is far too | | | | seek the assistance of an experienced photographer |
| easy and it is because of that the investigator's | | | | or another paranormal investigator to get a second |
| pictures will always be brought into question using a | | | | opinion. The other option is to present it and let the |
| digital camera. So as you can see, the paranormal | | | | viewer decide for themselves if it is paranormal; as |
| investigator has to decide what is important in choosing | | | | long as you tell the viewer that prior to showing it to |
| a camera. | | | | them. |
| Shooting pictures during a paranormal investigation is | | | | For more information on paranormal photography, the |
| important and should be common practice for any | | | | author recommends the book "Picture Yourself |
| good paranormal team. Sadly though, a search on | | | | Capturing Ghosts on Film" by Christopher Balzano. |
| the internet for paranormal websites will reveal | | | | This well-written book provides step-by-step |
| numerous websites filled with images of supposed | | | | instructions on documenting the paranormal with |
| paranormal activity. What many of these paranormal | | | | photography and video and is an excellent beginner's |
| investigators fail to understand is that due to the | | | | guide to securing photo evidence of the paranormal. |
| complexities and inner workings of a camera it is easy | | | | It also includes interviews with experts in the field, a |
| to take a an image that is misinterpreted for | | | | "how to" DVD, and provides information on choosing |
| paranormal activity. It may be something as simple as | | | | the right camera. This book is an excellent resource |
| lighting, photographer error, shutter speed, or some | | | | for any paranormal investigator and a great addition to |
| natural occurrence like dust, moisture in the air, or | | | | their library. |
| something blocking the lens like a strap or the even | | | | |