Orbs! Orbs! Orbs!

One of our beliefs at GHPS is that we assume any anomalous occurrences will have a non-paranormal explanation. In other words, in order to determine that is it paranormal, all other explanations need to be ruled out.  This not only helps the client, but helps maintain the group’s credibility. The assumption that any unexplained  phenomena is paranormal before ruling out natural occurrences does the ghost hunting movement a disservice. Telling the client that they have ghosts when there is actually a problem with a heating duct probably isn’t the best way to go about things.

This brings me to the subject of orbs. With the proliferation of digital photography, it is far cheaper and easier to photograph potentially haunted areas, and most anybody can do it. Digital cameras are also more sensitive than their film counterparts. Unfortunately, because of this sensitivity, they can be susceptible to photographic artifacts that are far from paranormal.

In digital photographs that supposedly contain paranormal-based orbs, they can usually be attributed to one or more of the following:

• Pollen
• Moisture
• Dust
• Small insects
• Refractive light

It would be nice to believe that each orb indicates the presence of a spirit, but there are just too many natural occurrences that can cause these to appear. This makes is practically impossible to determine that what you are seeing on your digital photograph is in fact a ghost.

Light – Where Can’t It Go?

Is there a window in the background of your flash photo? Do you see what look likes spirit energy? Here’s a news “flash”: glass reflects. In photos where there is glass somewhere in the background, the flash can bounce off the window and has been known to create some ghostly-looking images. In general, I almost universally rule these out as being paranormal, as there is no way to determine conclusively that the reflection didn’t cause the anomaly. Whenever we are on an investigation and photos are taken, the area is checked for reflective surfaces, and noted as such. If an apparition shows up in reflection instead of energy orbs or streaks, we look at it a bit more closely and evaluate its worth.

Orange You Glad You Used The Flash?

I have seen photos where there is this strange orangish color, looking like trails or multiple orbs. I originally thought “Wow, cool shot.” Then I thought “Orange again?” And then, I thought “hmmm.”  Looking closer at the issue, I realized that many digital cameras, for example the Canon PowerShot series, have an autofocus assist light.  An orange autofocus assist light. And yes, it reflects off shiny things too. Another pile of photos ruled out. Dang.

So, when you’re out there taking photos, trying to get that “once in a lifetime” shot (if you’ll excuse the expression), look carefully. The spirit you see may be your own.