Michele Burke June, 2010

Photographed by Rachael Burnia-Guinn

Book Review

A Ghost Hunters Field Guide by R. Wolf Baldassarro is not just another how to guide, it is however, one of the most well written practical guide that separates all the facts from fiction, providing step by step  instructions to aid in any investigation from the beginning to the end.

A definite must read for both the novice and seasoned ghost hunter.

Michele Burke – PaganPages.org ~ 2010

Tags: book review, ghost hunting, paranormal, r. wolf baldassarro

• Interviews & Reviews

R. Wolf Baldassarro February, 2010

Do You See What I See: Spirit Photography

Last month we dealt with capturing audio evidence so this time around it seemed logical to continue by exploring spirit photography.  I was honored to chat with Paul Michael Kane in preparation of this article.  Paul is a professional photographer and has experience in paranormal investigations.  During an enjoyable and humorous chat many topics were discussed.

Many of us have taken a picture from time to time that had strange exposures, lighting effects, or unknown properties and stood there in awe wondering what it was.  Paul just about made me fall out of my chair in laughter over what he calls “chimping”.  This is when someone takes a random picture while out with friends or when part of an actual ghost hunt and stands there mimicking a chimpanzee jumping up and down shouting “OOOH!!  OOH!! Lookie what I got!!” because they believe that bright splotch on the tiny LCD screen is a ghost, when in fact it’s nothing more than a bug or other explainable source.

Spirit photography is the practice of finding images of paranormal anomalies or spirits on film and is also referred to as psychic photography.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be night time to get a ghost picture as many photographs of ghostly anomalies have been taken during broad daylight at various, seemingly innocent locations, proving yet again that ghosts or spirits are around during the day just as much as they are at night.

Light exists within the universe in a spectrum consisting of infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light.  Without getting too technical, humans experience the physical world through the visible spectrum but parallel to this are infrared and ultraviolet.  Infrared, or “night vision”, is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths greater than visible light and shorter than microwaves; ultraviolet consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies higher than those that humans identify as the color violet.  It is within the boundaries of these wavelengths that spirits make there presence known when they cross over, however briefly, into the visible spectrum and our awaiting eyes.

Just as with EVP, spirit photography has been around since the camera was invented with photographers using many types of film and cameras.  For example, Semyon Kirlian discovered in 1939 that when an organic or nonliving object is placed upon a photographic plate and subjected to a high electric current, a glowing “aura” forms around the object and is imprinted on the film.  It is more accurate to say that rather than revealing a natural aura, this process produces such.  Some effects thought to be paranormal disappeared under more stringent controls, leaving research of Kirlian photography at a dead-end.  However, fluctuations in the magnetic fields surrounding the subjects can be detected in this way and Kirlian photography has recently come into use as a medical diagnostic device.  It also has a popular market at psychic fairs as a sort of high-tech, more expansive version of the mood ring.

The use of digital cameras has become the rage in recent years, in part due to falling prices, ease of use, and the ability to view results immediately on location.  Many ghost hunters take hundreds of digital photos at random, using nothing else during their investigation but the camera, and then present the images as absolute proof of the paranormal and by doing so make a sham out of the field.

The issues researchers had with digital cameras have dramatically improved in recent years.  The problem was with older models and how they operated in low-light conditions.  Truth be told, even well-lit day conditions were often grainy, pixilated, and with questionable results.  Referred to as the “orb factor”, many ghost hunters would take shot after shot of locations and point to the numerous orbs in the resulting photographs and present it as proof of spiritual activity.  These were simply a result of the camera’s inability to interpret data correctly, light reflecting off of insects and dust, and areas of the file where the pixels failed to fill in completely leaving blank areas or misinterpreted and warped data.  Newer models have all but removed this incompatibility.

Another issue was that a digital image’s authenticity would come into question and often pictures were doctored or manipulated in such a way to support a group’s claim.  To be able to analyze a photo and determine its legitimacy, two things have been needed- a print of the photo and its negative.  It has been argued that a digital camera could not provide this and since electronic images could be easily altered, it was impossible to prove they were authentic.  To begin with, photographs have been manipulated and staged since the camera was first in use.  Manipulation occurred within the camera itself and afterwards during the development process, thus tainting the almighty film negative.  Technology has changed and now it is not only possible to authenticate digital images but, depending on the camera, it can be used as the primary photographic instrument in an investigation.

It is now within the financial means of investigators to purchase high-quality point-and-shoot digital cameras that not only offer clean and crisp images that do not have the problems with false orbs but some models also offer night-shot modes.  These next generation cameras also offer a way to authenticate the images that is as trustworthy as a negative.  One option of a higher-quality camera is access to what are called Raw Data or Meta Data files. These files are uncompressed and unprocessed and an anomalous image that is examined using this option can actually be authenticated with often more detail than in a photographic negative.  In addition, the newer cameras also offer access to the information about the images that are photographed.  This data is embedded into the image once it is taken containing everything about the camera that took the image including camera settings, date and time the image was taken, if flash was used, the ISO settings, f-stop and aperture settings, and more.  If anyone attempts to manipulate the image, the changes are marked as well.  In this way, a person trying to analyze a digital image will be able to see if it has been manipulated or not.  If anyone attempts to alter the data, it will destroy the image.  In this way, it becomes a “digital negative” of every picture that is taken.

Video cameras are another important instrument for any investigation.  Unlike still cameras, they provide constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation.

Due to most investigations being conducted in absolute darkness, video cameras equipped with infrared capability are a necessity due to normal cameras needing a light source bright enough to capture.  Many of today’s handheld digital camcorders can be fitted with an optional infrared module for night vision recording and are fairly cheap via aftermarket outlets.

With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety.  This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena; also widely used are infrared wireless security cameras for the unattended stationary recording of various locations within an investigation area.  Paired with a 4 to 8 channel Digital Video Recorder system this is a must have for any investigation covering a large area.

When working with video it’s best to set your camera up on a tripod during recording to keep the image or video steady.  Don’t drag the camera around trying to get something on film- let the spirits come to it.  Set the camera up somewhere and just let it run, then view the footage later on.  Set your camera to manual focus and keep it focused on something nearby.  If it’s on auto focus and something unusual comes into view it will spend a lot of wasted time trying to focus in on it, and it usually won’t be able to in time, so you won’t see what really went by.

Try using external infrared lights to increase the viewing range.  When using a night vision camera, the laser dot will appear as a white glowing point, so don’t confuse it for something it’s not.  These can be fitted to a digital photo camera as well so there will be less need for flashes during an investigation.  There are Do It Yourself kits but you’re best option is to have a professional install it.

The holy grail of paranormal research equipment is the thermal imaging scanner.  This device is a fusion of the digital video/still camera and the infrared thermometer that allows users to see and record on video what an IR thermometer detects.  A deviation of plus or minus 10 degrees is significant for investigation purposes.  Should there be a cold spot or hot spot, this infrared technology makes it possible to see the shape and size of the temperature change.  These remain perhaps the most expensive items to date costing anywhere from $1500 to $10,000- second only to the new full-spectrum cameras which can run up to $30,000!

The results of this device are often glorified by groups like TAPS and GHI, but for every paranormal incident that the device shows, there are several that TAPS is able to debunk because of it.

A recent addition to the camera class is the full-spectrum model.  Not only can these highly-expensive cameras capture everything in the visible spectrum, but simultaneously in the ultraviolet and infrared as well; the resulting images are black & white with some color hues.

So what exactly should you look for in a digital camera to do ghost hunting with?  Make sure it has a good flash and the ISO settings can range from 100 to 1600.  By using cameras that range from 8 to 13 megapixels and taking advantage of all of the options available to us, we can actually gather significant evidence with our digital camera that is comparable to that of a 35 mm camera.  The Nikon P6000 is a great camera for ghost hunting purposes.

If the camera has a preprogrammed night-shot setting, which is a very slow shutter speed, you may want to invest in a monopod which can cost as little as $14 and easily portable on an investigation.  With this type of setting any hand held shot will come out blurry.  Some digital cameras will not take a picture if it thinks the area is too dark as well because they require something for light to bounce off of, like a gravestone.  Also use high capacity media cards- anything from 512 MB to 1 GB will have plenty of storage space for investigations.

A major issue that needs to be dealt with in detail when working with photography is the matrixing effect.  “Matrixing” is a general term for the natural tendency of the human mind to interpret sensory input, what is perceived visually, audibly or tactilely, as something familiar or more easily understood and accepted, in effect mentally “filling in the blanks.”

I was initially convinced I caught something wild when I took this photo.  It turned out to be the camera’s wrist strap.

In this example several of the rain drops looked like faces to me.

So, there you are, on location chimping away at your camera screen and exciting your fellow investigators because something looks paranormal on the LCD but later when the photo is analyzed in larger detail it turns out to be the reflection of a butterfly’s wings or the way the shadows of trees merged together to look like a figure standing in the field.  Of the hundred of pictures that are taken maybe 1 or 2 percent actually produce worthwhile results.  Is this to say that cameras are a waste of time?  No.  When something of merit is discovered it is usually of great importance to paranormal research.  Just be sure of what you have before releasing your findings.

A few groups take a conventional camera and shoot away in the hope that something will appear on the processed film.  From time to time distortions and anomalies result during development.  It should be noted that all such images are well-known an understood effects of photography and of cameras.  They happen every day and have nothing to do with paranormal phenomena.  Sometimes what may seem like a ghost or other paranormal occurrence in a photograph is the result of matrixing or physical factors within the camera itself.

We must also discuss the infamous “orb factor” in more detail.  The parapsychological meaning of substantiated orbs are floating circular balls of light with color or brightness seen in areas of high paranormal activity and are believed to contain the soul, personality, and emotions of a deceased person or animal. These may be visible to the naked eye or invisible until caught on film. They may also have streaking tails of ectoplasm or glowing energy; most orbs are widely debunked by paranormal researchers as evidence of paranormal activity.  True orbs produce their own inner light, so would it not seem likely that a true orb will be seen with the naked eye before being caught on camera?  After all, a light bulb doesn’t just show itself when a picture of it is taken.  The example above left of four ‘orbs’ surrounding a grave is particularly interesting.  While I know it’s most likely dust, the formation around the marker- as if standing guard- was very peculiar.

The two examples above show how some orbs are captured.  The example on the top does seem like it’s glowing of its own accord but keep in mind that the closer it is to the flash, the brighter it will be.  The example on the bottom is leaving a tail as it moves upward.  Dust will generally move very slowly and in an erratic pattern due to wind factors so the cause of this photo is open for interpretation.

There are several examples that Paul suggested as the cause of the majority orbs.  The infrared lights from video cameras or teammates camcorders could be reflecting in.  I once was analyzing some video footage of pulsating lights and it turned out that it was the handheld Mini DV of an investigator and a stationary camera’s IR modules reflecting into each other thus causing the phenomenon.

There is a term within professional photography known as Bokeh (bo-kah), meaning “out of focus”.  Many mists are the result of a portion of the lens being out of focus or the operator’s finger is over the lens causing condensation.  Also keep your fingers away from the flash and remove the wrist strap.

Sensor dust occurs in DSLR cameras when metal shavings from the detachable lenses stick to the sensor inputs of the camera and cause unwanted effects.  Sometimes there can also be issues with the shutter sync.

With great jealousy I listened to stories from Paul when he had an opportunity to document a pictorial of a paranormal investigation into Eastern State Penitentiary.  Over the course of the event, and during other investigations, he has gathered some great advice for investigators when documenting photographic evidence of the paranormal.

Pull out that camera from time to time and take a few shots.  Don’t just take a picture in front of you but also over your shoulder while walking.  While looking in one direction, quickly snap a photo in the opposite direction.  This method of capturing something on film is usually quite effective.  Trust your feelings.  If you feel something or someone else does, take a picture.  If you think you saw something, take a picture.

Take more than one consecutive picture.  Rather than taking a quick shot of a stairwell and moving on to the next room, take two or three quick shots keeping the camera in the same position.  Most of your typical point-and-shoot models have a sport or burst mode that will ratchet off three to five frames at once.  In this way, if you caught something you can have before-and-after shots to help track its movement.

Go with your instincts, but if you’ve captured something try to debunk it by recreating it.  Have someone stand in the same position to see if it was just a reflection or light effect as often it’s just our imagination impacting our perception of events.  Try to remove as much human element from your photographs as you can.  Be aware of reflective objects in the room; with dust and debris the closer it is to the flash the brighter it will be in the picture.  Also be aware of where other team members are and what they are doing.  If they are in the hallway taking a picture and you simultaneously take one in a connecting room the flashes will interfere with each other.  Control light sources as much as possible and try putting the camera down regularly and set the timer.

Many common settings on the camera can also improve your results.  Read the manual that came with your model thoroughly and know how to adjust the settings.  Turn off red eye reduction, set the camera for aperture priority, and most importantly turn off the auto image preview.  This feature slows down your picture taking because many cameras do not reset for another shot if the screen is active.  This also removes any possibility of chimping (I love this term) and if you’re too busy staring at the screen all night you’ll miss something.  Leave the in-depth review of your pictures for the analysis phase.

With photos you’ll want to import them into a computer and view them on a large screen.  Just like with EVP, you’ll want to work with copies only and leave the originals safely stored away.  You can also zoom in and out of the image to help clarify objects.  Be aware of the matrixing effect and go through each one to look for differences in lighting, shades, and shadows consistent with a vortex or apparition.  Using the tools available in programs like Photoshop, increase levels and clear up the image as best you can by adjusting for light, contrast, and color balance.  The most important thing is to differentiate between reflections and objects that are emitting their own light.  Look at how lights and shadows are affected by the objects in question and their positions three dimensionally.   Light bends around objects; it does not hover in mid air.

Two of my most treasured photographs (above) were taken at Goodrich Cemetery where a lone marker was hidden in a back alcove; these were taken in succession mere seconds apart. This is an example of a vortex, known in environmental science as plasma lights.  There is no satisfactory explanation as to their origin.

So there you have it, a brief but concise introduction to spirit photography.  As with many aspects of ghost hunting, try different techniques and experiments.  Remember to try and recreate or debunk any anomalies you encounter and strive toward truth rather than the exciting.  I hope Across the Great Divide continues to be informative and enjoyable for you and your comments are well-received and always appreciated.  As always, and until next time, keep those cameras rolling and always exploring the great unknown.

For more information on the photography of Paul Michael Kane and his pictorial book about Eastern State Penitentiary, please visit his website at www.paulmichaelkane.com

Tags: ghost hunting, ghosts, paranormal

• Articles

Tammy Wilson May, 2009

SO, WHY DO YOU LIKE TO “GHOST HUNT”?

Imagine yourself as a child.  Your mother has asked you to fetch something from the cellar.  You don’t like the cellar.  Your mother thinks it’s nonsense and your brother will make fun of you (even though you know he hates it, too!) so you grudgingly head that way.  You pick up the flashlight and turn the knob to the door that opens into the musty darkness.  The cool air greets you but you’d rather suffer the heat than go down there.  Your weak flashlight beam finds the wooden steps and you begin the long descent into the black, praying something doesn’t reach between the open steps and grab you by the ankles, dragging you into the cellar and feasting on your flesh.  You hurry down the rickety steps as quickly as you safely can, fetch the jar of green beans and take the steps two at a time until you reach the top where you slam the door, leaning against it, thankful you made it out alive, your heart beating wildly…

Or perhaps you’re lying in your bed.  The moonlight shines through the window just enough for your desk and toys to be nothing more than dark shapes.  You notice your closet door is open.  It’s just a teeny bit, but still… That china doll you hate but feel obligated to keep because it was a gift from your Great Aunt Ethel is in there.  You know once you start to drift off to sleep it will come to life and attack you.  You just know it.  But now you’re too scared to get up and close the door because everyone knows you can’t put your feet down after dark – who knows what’s under the bed?  So you lie there, too scared to get up and too scared to go to sleep.  Finally, you get up the nerve so you bound as far from the bed as possible, run to the closet, slam it shut, and jump back onto the bed, keeping a safe distance from anything that might be able to reach you from underneath it, your heart beating wildly…

I recently came across the photographic works of Joshua Hoffine.  He sets up his shoots just like a movie set complete with makeup, costumes, and realistic scenery and props.  The children in the photos are his and while several people have questioned that particular judgment, the kids love doing it.  They realize it’s all pretend.  However, the emotions these photos elicit are quite real.  He covers it all from the monster under the bed to the thing under the cellar stairs.

His pictures made me think about fear and what scares people.  What scared you as a kid?  Something under the bed?  A long, dark hallway?  Being abandoned?  Spiders?  Clowns?  The ever so slightly opened closet at night?  The dark in general?  Ghosties?

I asked this question to several people and the responses were colorful and varied.  The fears mentioned most often were under the bed, the closet door being open, clowns, spiders, and intruders.  There were also completely random ones like moths, birds, needles, aliens, and bridges.  A lot of people are scared of dolls or ventriloquist dummies, too.  In truth, most of us are still a little scared of these things even as adults.  We probably don’t realize it, but when we think back to times gone by we still shudder at the thought of many of these things and can easily recall the terror they caused us as kids.

As a paranormal investigator, I spend a lot of time in what would be considered scary places.  Most of them are dark with spiders, snakes, birds, bats, and other creepy crawlies.  Most of them are the scenes of some type of tragedy, deep sorrow, or death, with the likelihood of ghosts.  We spend the night in places most people wouldn’t venture into in the daylight.  So what causes some people to get an adrenaline rush from being scared and others to quake in their boots?  Some people would just as soon never see a scary movie, never had any fears growing up, and would never, ever go on a paranormal investigation to a supposedly haunted place yet some people yearn to be terrified.  Carolyn Palmer, a psychology professor at Vassar College, said that some situations tie into our need to master threatening situations because anytime we master something, we get a thrill from that sense of control and the closer we get to not being in control, the greater the thrill.1

Now, most paranormal investigators will tell you they investigate to find the “truth” or to prove that ghosts exist.  If you ask just about any investigator what got them interested in investigating the paranormal, most of them will tell you it’s because of an experience they had and they want to know “why.”  This is very noble, but in reality, I believe a lot of us do it for the sheer thrill of being in a spooky situation.  Some people are simply fascinated with scary things and the thrill we get from experiencing them.  Would I love to prove the existence of ghosts?  Certainly.  But until then, I will just enjoy hanging out with the spiders in the dark spooky hospitals and prisons.  So there you have it – the reason I like to investigate the paranormal is simply because I love being scared.  I’m a sucker for spooky places and scary movies.  I love the thrill of a good spook house.  I scream and clap my hands with delight at the same time.  Crazy?  Maybe a little.  Stephen King explains the need to be scared as a sane way of expressing the insanity we all have – he likens it to feeding the inner “gators” – as long as we keep them fed, they don’t come to the surface.

I related to several of the same fears everyone else listed.  One that a couple of people talked about that was also depicted in one of Hoffine’s pictures was nuclear war, or the end of the world.  When I was young, the movie “The Day After” came out and nuclear war was a popular subject.  I was terrified of dying that way and I was terrified of what it would be like if I didn’t die.  The above scene with the closet door and china doll – not made up!  I had a doll that scared me to death, but I couldn’t get rid of it.  I think part of me was scared it would come back.  I would lie there and fret until I finally got the nerve to close the closet door.  Take a look at Hoffine’s pictures and let me know what scared you – or still does.  Granted, as we grow up our real fears change a bit – things like not being able to pay the bills or losing a child, but I think you will be surprised when you think about it that some of those childhood fears are still lurking there, just under the bed…

Tags: ghost hunting, ghosts, paranormal

• Articles

Tammy Wilson March, 2009

So, you want to be a ghost hunter?

The paranormal has become quite a hot topic over the past few years and a lot of that is because of television.  There are mixed feelings about the effect of television on the paranormal field.  On one hand, it has made it much more mainstream and acceptable.  People are much more open to talking about their ghostly encounters these days and tourism is booming when it comes to locations with haunted history.

On the other hand, it has everyone thinking they can run out and buy some gear and hunt ghosts.  What happens then is that people become reckless, often times scaring the bejesus out of innocent property owners by telling them they have a house full of demons when in truth they have crappy plumbing.  People see all these “as seen on TV” gizmos and think they have all the answers to the afterlife.

If you watch much paranormal television, you will see several different gadgets, thingamajiggys, and do-dads used to “detect ghosts.”  Some of the gadgets actually print “The Ghost Meter” on them.  There’s the EMF Meter, the KII Meter, the Tri-Field Meter, the digital voice recorder, the Ovilus, the thermal imaging camera and so on and so on…

The truth of the matter is none of these electronic goodies detect ghosts.  These gadgets detect changes in the atmosphere.  It is theorized that when a ghost is present, there are changes in the atmosphere; however, the existence of ghosts has yet to be proven, so this is all really conjecture and somewhat educated – and more often than not, uneducated – guess work.

People that want to start their own paranormal investigation teams often say they will do it once they can afford all the equipment.  I’m here to tell you, the only equipment you need is a camera, digital or 35 mm, a video recorder, a tape recorder, a flashlight, a notebook, and the most important and least expensive piece – good old common sense.

A lot of paranormal enthusiasts get irritated at groups that always seem to be “debunking” hauntings.  It’s just not nearly as fun as having a bona fide haunted house.  Debunking is not a negative thing.  It’s the responsible thing to do.  For example, if you are examining a haunting and the occupant is complaining of sleeplessness or “seeing things” and you notice their bedroom is full of electronics such as televisions, DVD players, CD players, alarm clocks, lamps, etc., it could very simply be that they have too many electronics in their bedroom and not ghosts at all.  High levels of EMF have been found to cause hallucinations among other physical ailments.  Of course, if you go into that room with your Ghost Meter, it’s going to go crazy.  The occupant’s issues will likely cease upon removing all the EMF from the area where they sleep.

My partner had a similar case where the occupants were complaining of the baby not being able to sleep and other odd things taking place around their house.  She noticed that all of the switch plates were metal.  She had them rearrange the baby’s room and told them they needed to contact an electrician.  It turned out their house was not grounded and there were high levels of EMF being emitted into the rooms.  Once the electrical issues were fixed, there were no more “ghosts.”  Now, yes, I did say a camera was an item you want to have in your ghost hunting arsenal.  But you need to know how to use it properly.  There are a lot of paranormal folks that will swear those orbs they get in their photos are ghosts.  Well, they obviously didn’t get the memo.  Science has proven most orbs captured on digital cameras are caused by dust, reflections, bugs, moisture, smoke, etc.  If you don’t believe me, run your finger over a door ledge and snap a picture – you will get a ton or orbs.  Coincidentally, there’s an awful lot of dust being stirred up in some of the abandoned locations and cemeteries.  It’s also interesting to point out that before digital cameras came along there weren’t nearly as many orb pictures as there are these days.  I am not an expert photographer by any means, but when one person wrote to Canon to inquire about orbs, this is what they were told:

“We have checked your camera and are happy that the camera meets all design specifications.  The problem you have been experiencing is due to a phenomenon not associated with the camera.

When a picture is taken and reviewed afterwards, circular spots may be noticed on the picture. The problem does not occur with every picture.  Additionally, the spots are randomly positioned throughout the picture.  Highest concentration is in areas closest to the flash unit when the picture was made.

The cause of the problem is common to a lot of digital cameras with small CCDs, not just the Canon digital cameras.  Such digital cameras have a greater depth of field compared to 35mm cameras, due to their smaller focal distance.  This occurs in even higher degree when the camera is set to wide angle.

Because of the above, small dust particles, droplets of water, etc., drifting in the air close to the camera and not within depth of field for normal 35mm cameras, are within depth of field for digital cameras.  Under normal circumstances this is not too big a problem, as these are very small.

When flash is used, its light illuminates these dust particles or water droplets, and these therefore show up and are extremely obvious on pictures taken.  The problem is worsened, because the flash unit is positioned close to the lens barrel.

Due to the setup and operation of digital cameras using small CCDs (charge coupled device), there is nothing that can be done about this phenomenon.  You can take some measures though, to prevent this problem from occurring as much as is possible.

Switch off flash in environments where there are likely to be small dust particles or water droplets in the air.  To compensate for this lack of flash, you can increase the ISO value on your digital camera if this feature is available on your camera.

Use an external slave flash unit further away from the camera and partially cover the camera’s flash.  These units are not available from Canon, but there are third party companies producing such units.  Make sure a slave flash unit is chosen which can also be set to synchronize with the second flash as used by Powershot cameras.  With Powershot cameras, the first flash is used to measure, the second is the actual flash.”

(Canon customer correspondence)

This is not to say that nothing supernatural ever gets captured on a digital camera.  This is also not to say that orbs are never anomalous.  There are strange things sometimes captured on cameras, but the sensible thing to do is to have them analyzed and not just assume it’s ghostly.

One of the new toys in the paranormal world is a gizmo called the Ovilus.  It’s also referred to as digital dowsing.  It’s a device that creates phonetic speech from the environment.  It is pre-programmed with a set of 512 words that sometimes coincidentally make sense in certain places.  Each word is assigned a number and when the EMF changes, the words are spoken.  It’s very random.  Since EMF is not ghosts, I think it’s pretty safe to say the words generated from this device aren’t coming from ghosts either.  Is it interesting and entertaining?  Sure.  Is it ghosts talking to you?  Not likely.

I am pointing these things out because it’s all too easy to get caught up in all the hype of technology and throw common sense out the window.  People think they’re being “scientific” with these gadgets but without an incredibly good working knowledge of the technology behind them; they are in reality being reckless and ignorant.

All of these items can enhance an investigation if the operators are educated about them and understand the margin for error and realize that they are not in fact detecting ghosts with them.  It’s not necessary to break the bank getting these things if you’re seriously looking into investigating.  I contend that a good amount of common sense and a library card are the best pieces of “equipment” you can have – and they’re both free.

Tags: ghost hunting, ghosts, paranormal

• Articles

James Choron January, 2009

A WORD TO THE WISE

Contact with Spirit Entities

Each of us is born with a natural sensitivity to spirit entities. It is society and our exposure to the culture around us that tends to teach us to surpress and ignore that natural talent. In some of us, though, it is quite strong and is never completely surpressed. In a tiny fraction, it is sufficiently powerful to survive intact throughout an individual’s life. This ability is not something to be feared or ashamed of; it is a gift.

All children are sensitive before they are old enough to be taught by those around them that it is impossible or to understand the concept that it is bad, wicked or evil.

In many cases, a child’s gift manifests by their acquiring imaginary or invisible playmates. Parents think this is cute and charming, but in many cases it is likely the spirit entity of a child has managed to find another child to play with. The disappearance of the imaginary playmate generally happens when the physical child ages and grows beyond the desire to play and sometimes blocks the ability to sense their companion. In short, the earthly child ages, but the child spirit entity will always be a child and will eventually find another little playmate.

Some individuals retain this gift of sensing and communicating with spirit entities throughout life. For those who are extremely high-level natural sensitives and psychic the existence of such spirits is never doubted. Communication is always possible and usually goes on regularly. However, anyone at this level of sensitivity will quickly explain to the investigator that they never initiate contact unless it is an entity they have been

familiar with for many years, often for a lifetime. Others they will hear, at times respond to, but will not attempt to contact even though they are immediately present.

Ouija boards, pendulums and other tools of divination and contact with spirit entities may be seen as games and parlor tricks. A seance might be seen as a good way to entertain at a slumber party. No high-level sensitive or psychic, even a child who is aware of that very special gift, will participate lightly in such things, for none of these are games or simple fun. They not only work, they sometimes work all too well. Those who view them as games or diversions are either very brave or very foolish people.

At this point, it is necessary to give a substantial and substantive warning to

all new investigators of the paranormal. If a spirit entity is encountered, positively no attempt should be made to contact this entity unless it first attempts to contact you. At that point contact should be attempted by the most experienced member on an investigative team—preferably a psychic or one who is very sensitive and borders on being so—or by the group, on a second, subsequent visit. The reason for this is very simple, and obvious upon even a cursory examination.

Although as I said earlier, we do not change in our basic nature at the point of physical death we do in many other ways. There are all sorts of people—good, bad and indifferent. We can’t know on first encounter with an entity into which category that individual will fall. This is essential to understanding the nature of a contact. I will repeat: we definitely will not change character when we become a spirit entity. This is what makes encountering and communicating with some entitiesextremely dangerous. While truly evil individuals are, generally speaking, quite rare, they do exist. By the same token one should never, under any conditions, attempt to invoke, summon or call any spirit entity, particularly one at the site of a field investigation in which their actual nature is unknown and unknowable.

No Not all spirit entities are who they appear or profess to be. Since they are

energy, they can take on any physical form, and one of the many ways in which we do change at physical death is in gaining the ability to “read” other energy forms—a form of telepathy. Spirit entities can, but rarely do, manifest solidly enough or make the tremendous expenditure of energy necessary to use vocal communications. They can, and do, literally speak to our minds and they can and do read them to the extent that we will allow it.

So, a spirit entity who wishes to gain the confidence of any given person for any reason can, if they desire, present themselves to that person as some deceased friend or loved one or some figure who is known and respected by that person. Only close observation over time can determine the difference. If they are truly who they say, they can and will prove it in ways that will make the person they are contacting certain, and they will not insist that person open up and allow them “in” until they are certain.

The reason for these warnings such is vital to know. At the time of physical

death we become a being composed of pure energy. That being has the capability of manifesting and becoming solid; but it also has the capability of over-riding the neural system of a living person and inhabiting that person’s body, either for a short time (which does happen at times for the purpose of communications by an entity but is never to be invited) or for very long periods. This is called possession, and it is a very grim and real possibility for those who are naive enough to invite it or to accidentally stumble into it. For this reason a conscious effort must always be made to avoid any

uninitiated contact. They cannot enter without your permission. It is a physical impossibility. However, if that permission is given even accidentally there are entities who can and will take advantage of it.

I will state, however, that unlike in the movies, this is not always a particularly evil or malevolent act. Please note that I said “not always.” It can be. In some cases, a spirit entity sees an opportunity to live again in a symbiotic/parasitic relationship in the body of a possessed individual. This is not necessarily evil, but it is nevertheless bad and something that is to be avoided.

It is extremely difficult to be rid of a possessing spirit entity. It is not quite as bad as what Hollywood presents, but I assure you it is bad enough. So, with all this in mind…

Good hunting!
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Tags: ghost, ghost hunting, paranormal

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James Choron November, 2008

PICTURE PERFECT
Photography and Paranormal Investigation

Now, let’s have a look at exactly what a “spirit entity” actually is. I have investigated three separate incidents in which the entity encountered was so solidly manifested it was impossible to tell it from a living person. One of these incidents happened to me, and it was the purest accident that I discovered it was not a living person. An account of this experience, titled “The Little Girl in the Ga Garden,” is included in my collection of true paranormal accounts titled Footprints in the Snow: Tales of Haunted Russia, published by Zumaya Publications.
I have also had—and still have—personal encounters with spirit entities who can and do manifest regularly in differing states of, for lack of a better word, solidity depending on their mood and the situation at the time. Bo Both of these are guardian spirits who travel back and forth among a very closely interconnected group of people on a regular basis. While they are essentially the guardian of a particular person, they take that responsibility to include anyone this person considers to be close family.
One of these has been familiar to me since I was around three or four years old (and earlier, but I have no real memories of that time). I mention this because, at first, I did not know this was, in fact, a spirit but thought it was simply another adult who looked in on me from time to time. Over a period of forty-five years, his appearance, when he chooses to fully manifest, has not changed.
It was in this way that, over time, I learned that spirit entities can, if they choose, manifest solidly enough to be capable of doing anything that can be done by a living person—and considerably more. On their own plane, and in the transitory astral plane, they are a living person, and are no more constrained than we are, having basically the same senses and abilities, although enhanced a great deal. What I am about to say might sound odd, or simply unbelievable, but it is true. It is unnerving, to say the least, when one is cooking and gets the distinct impression of “too much salt,” “too much pepper” or “Are you trying to garlic me to death?” It is also less than flattering when you are informed by a spirit entity that the whiskey you are drinking “tastes like kerosene.” It is even more unnerving when the spirit entity in question is fully materialized or nearly so, and you can see the grimace on their face.
One thing I continually tell new people in this field is that there is no need to be afraid of a spirit entity. They cannot physically affect you, let alone harm you, unless they are completely physically materialized. The exception is if it is a guardian spirit specifically responsible for a given person or location. It is important to note, however, that the full or even partial physical manifestation of a spirit entity, particularly in a field investigation setting, is extremely rare. The actual presence of a spirit in any state of manifestation makes up less than three percent of all cases investigated anywhere by anyone. Full, or even partial, manifestations in a field investigation setting make up
slightly less than one percent of even that small figure. The plain fact of the matter is that the investigator in the field has a far better chance of being struck by lightning than of seeing or capturing on film the presence of a fully or partially materialized spirit entity. Out of some two thousand cases investigated and a vastly larger number of photographs analyzed, I have personally recorded half a dozen cases of full or partial
materialization that could be considered authentic.
I’ve analyzed photos professionally for years, and even so it is often impossible to tell if a photo is genuine. The best that can be done is to eliminate obvious and detectable flaws, errors and the possibility of manipulation of a negative, print or bitmap (in the case of a digital image). An experienced investigator should be able to at least give a rudimentary analysis of both the print and the negative of standard film photos and should be able to pinpoint errors of photographic process, photographer error or known defects in the camera and film.
To analyze a photo of an anomaly, the main process is to eliminate all other known potential causes of such an anomaly. That which remains is the authentic photo. If the anomaly is still present, and has no known cause, then what is there may or may not be paranormal in nature but it is certainly real. Personally, my philosophy is not to analyze photos for the specific purpose of finding hoaxes, although I’ve found quite a few. My goal is to establish evidence that the paranormal, as such, exists. I have found that most photos that I analyze—about 90% of them—are honest mistakes, or problems with the camera or film. About five percent of the photos I have analyzed are actual
anomalies of some type—and I emphasize “of some type;” about that same amount are deliberate hoaxes.
No Now that might sound like a low figure for authentic anomalies, but it isn’t,
given the volume analyzed. Keep in mind that out of about 2,000 cases our group has investigated over the past fifteen years or so only about three percent represent actual spirit entity activity. The rest have perfectly normal explanations, although some are a bit odd in that the incident is produced by a combination of random factors that are, to say the least, unusual, and singular in nature.
A good example of this is a case where a previously unknown, and unsuspected, underground hot spring found a way to occasionally vent itself right in front of a little shrine erected to a Saint, producing a beautiful mist at random times. There are also cases of unusual acoustics and atmospheric conditions producing what appear to be the activities of spirit entities and/or anomalies on film or tape. It would amaze you what a buried powerline or telephone cable will do to an EMF meter, and how often the signs marking their location have disappeared.
This is all what I mean about doing your homework. When a report comes
in, there are a lot of things that should be done before going out and conducting a field investigation. It all depends on the nature of the report.
What amazes me, and upsets me most, are cases in which someone, for
whatever the reason, produces a deliberate hoax—and some of them are quite good. Most of the time, it’s their idea of a joke that gets out of hand and out of control, or caused by a craving for attention. I’ve seen instances where an entire community, or at least an entire business community, will propagate a tale in order to generate tourism and business. It’s not common, but it happens.
I also know of one case where people working in a photo laboratory cooked up a very elaborate and very convincing hoax just to pull a particular investigator’s chain for a while. It took the poor guy months to figure out that the best ghost photo he had ever taken was a fraud—not his, and not his fault, but a fraud, nevertheless. He wouldn’t have figured it out even then had one of the perpetrators not come down with a case of guilty conscience and admitted it.
What is more disturbing is the number of deliberate hoaxes that are perpetrated for the absolute best of reasons, and in a “good cause.” Many people—fortunately, very few are professional investigators—will produce a hoax, or fake a photo, EVP or video in order to “prove” or “demonstrate” that the paranormal is real. Their motives may be good, and their heart might well be in the right place, but this kind of thing hurts us. Once something like that comes out for what it is, it casts doubt on countless examples that are not hoaxes, and brings the reputations of countless investigators into question.
The thing is, it’s just as important to our field, and for the advancement of our field, to expose hoaxes and frauds, where they exist, as it is to prove the authentic cases. This is true of any branch of science, and that is what our discipline is, or should be—a branch of science, nothing more, nothing less. All theories are just that—theories—and must be proved or disproved. The only way to do this is through the development of a working set of field techniques and methods based on scientific procedures, practices, and the collection of an empirical trail of indisputable evidence.
This is perhaps the best time to “grasp the nettle” and approach a rather touchy subject among paranormal investigators: orbs and orb photography.First, let’s look at the subject in detail. Exactly what is an orb?
The fact is, no one really seems to know. They have as many names as they
do descriptions. These include “globes,” “globules,” “balls of light” and “hovering round balls.” In photographs—they are rarely ever seen by the unaided eye—they appear in all ranges of brightness from sharp and glowing to faded and barely-visible. They usually, but by no means always, travel quite fast and follow an erratic pattern of flight.
Some believe positive orbs to be the spirits of the dead. I am not, generally speaking, one of those individuals. Other theories suggest that they might be separate life forms or even nature spirits. I am not one of those individuals, either. The problem is that most orb photos are simply false positives, or developing/processing flaws.
There has always been a controversy concerning orb photography with regard to authenticity. Although some—a very few—orb photos are believed to be authentic, there are still many that are the result of airborne particles set aglow by the flash, airborne droplets of water, small insects or simply flaws in the processing of the film. This happens with both indoor and outdoor shots. Be Because of this, it is extremely difficult to disassociate the false positive orbs from the real ones or to take orb photos in general seriously. Think of what happens when you open a heavy curtain inside a dark room to let in the sunlight. Have you ever done that and seen all the dust in the beam of the light? Dust can and does show up in a photograph, particularly a digital photograph, as orbs. This is especially true when the dust particle is very small and very close to the camera’s lens. The reason that it is more certainly true when a digital camera is involved is simple: digital cameras are more sensitive to small objects than standard film. A very small moving object that is either just outside the focal range of the
camera or moving slightly faster than the pre-set shutter speeds used in digitals will be distorted in the bitmap image into an “orb.” Moisture (humidity), mold and pollen are also major contributors of false positive orb photos.
It is important to mention that in the case of standard film, it is not
unheard of for the processor to improperly dry negatives or prints, leaving a
flaw in either or both that will resemble an orb. Be Because of this alone there is
no real way to confirm an orb’s authenticity with our present knowledge.
Therefore, it’s likely that most orb photos are false positives—more than
ninety percent are the result of nothing more than the conditions at the time of
the flash.
To demonstrate this, take your digital camera outside and throw some dust
in front of the lens. Multiple orbs will appear in the picture. Any of that dust that is within four inches of the lens or at the extreme focal length of the lens will appear as orbs in the photo. You can also take a spray bottle to simulate humidity and spray directly in front of the lens; the result will once again be multiple orbs. Additionally, no digital photo of an orb can be considered to be completely free of flaw since there is no negative with which to compare the finished print.
Although digital cameras are a useful tool in paranormal photography, at the current state of the art, they simply cannot be entirely trusted when it comes to any false positive photo. A good, dependable 35-mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera is far less likely to create dust mote orbs on film or any other flaw. This makes them the camera of choice.
Some “experts” in paranormal photography advise that the investigator should use the lowest dpi digital camera available, as they are more likely to record orbs. This is true. They are more likely to record a number of common flaws that tend to make the investigator look quite foolish. Quality is quality, and you get what you pay for.
As for other reasons why I consider a 35-mm camera superior to the digital variety for most applications in paranormal-related photography, the principal ones are:

— The relative cost of a digital camera compared to that of a 35-mm,
makes the digital, for everyday use, cost-prohibitive. A very good 35-mm SLR
camera may be purchased for a fraction of the cost of a digital camera of the
same relative quality. While the digital is somewhat less expensive to operate,
owing to the absence of film and processing, the average person can buy a
virtual lifetime supply of film for the difference in price between the two types
of camera.
— The very best quality “pocket” 35-mm camera is currently selling at
retail for less than half the price of the low-end digital of the same size. One
can also buy a used high-end 35mm SLR for less than half the price of the
lower-end digital of the same approximate size.
— The 35mm camera has a far greater variety of function than the digital
because of the availability of specialized films such as infrared and ultra-high
or ultra-low speed.
— A higher level of quality in enlargement. To put it plainly, with the
proper film, a 35-mm negative may be enlarged to, literally, wall size without
significant distortion. This is impossible with a digital image, as they will
rapidly be reduced to a bitmap.
— A wider range of shutter speeds and aperture openings. A 35-mm SLR
camera is operator variable. This means the photographer can alter the lens
opening and shutter speed of the camera at will to compensate for lighting
conditions. This is impossible with a digital camera.
— The resulting print is less vulnerable to tampering or doctoring. It is
extremely difficult and time consuming to doctor a 35-mm print effectively.
Most common attempts at tampering are easily detectable and quite obvious.
Anyone with an over-the-counter copy of Kodak Imaging or Photoshop Pro
software can alter a digital image, almost at will.
— Positive prints may be compared to the negative for purposes of
analysis. This is impossible with a digital image.
— Digital images are far more susceptible to dust, water vapor, small
insects and particles showing up as orbs, mists or vortexes. This is because
the image is recorded as a bitmap, and the area of light dispersion resulting
from a reflected flash is exaggerated, while the actual outline of the object
reflecting the flash is lost completely in the bit map pattern.
— Digital cameras have a more limited depth of field than a 35-mm
camera, and therefore have a far more limited target area.
— Digital imaging is more susceptible to distortion by movement at very
high speed.
— It is impossible to use a digital camera for nighttime or low-light
photography without the use of a flash.
I am not saying that you should not buy or use a digital camera. If you have
the money to spend and want to purchase a digital for other purposes as well as use in paranormal investigating, please do so. However, we maintain that the purchase of a digital camera solely for the purpose of use in paranormal investigative work is not only a waste of money but is, for the most part, a waste of time.
As the state of the art in this technology increases, this will possibly change, but for the moment we strongly advise against the use of digitals in paranormal work. They are simply too expensive and lack the reliability and versatility of a 35-mm.

Tags: ghost, ghost hunting, paranormal

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