Hey there! This page was created for anyone who might have a potential ghost picture, video or ghostly voice recording. We get quite a few e-mails every day that have attached photos and claims of ghostly anomalies. Unfortunately, many of them are not ghosts at all, rather they are dust particles or reflections. Others are done under such conditions that the photos simply cannot be accepted scientifically. So, I've put this page together as a kind checklist for you to go over before sending your stuff to us.

        The following is a set of guidelines, not to be considered "carved in stone". If, after you've gone through them, you still think you've got something or simply want to hear our opinion...send it over! We must put this disclaimer in; you may not get the answer you want! Not every picture of an "orb" is actually an orb. Not every photo of an ecto mist, say...taken in the middle of winter, is an actual ecto mist. After reading a description about the events (provided by you), we'll look at each photo or video, and listen to each recording then give you an honest analysis. This could mean that the photo you think is an apparition, may turn out to be your own reflection. (Believe it or not, that happens a lot!) It could also mean that you've got something good and we'd like to post it! No matter what, we'll be up front and explain our reasons either way.

OK, let's start off with the most popular items...Photographs. Here's what you need to think about before sending it to anyone;

1. Did the camera have a strap on it?
   • One of the most common mistakes beginner ghost hunters make is not being aware of the camera strap. This can lead to the famous "vortex" photographs. When the strap is around the wrist, or the camera is turned on its side, the strap can easily make its way in front of the lens. It only takes a small section, as little as an inch, to get in front. What happens is the flash goes off, and because the strap is so close, it gets bleached white. Another effect of the strap being so close is that the lens is able to "see" around it, causing much of the bleached out strap to appear transparent. Something else to take note of is the pattern seen on most "vortex" photos. They always seem to appear from the right side of the picture, many of which actually loop around and go back out the same side. This is typical of the loop at the end of a strap. The strap, for most cameras, is located on the right side of the camera. This is common since the shutter release button is usually on the right side of the camera.
2. Were people or yourself walking around at the time?
   • Dust is a major factor, and when people or pets are walking around on a rug, carpet, unfinished basement floor or even on hardwood floors, dust particles are kicked up and/or stirred up. If you're walking around the house taking random photos, there's a really good chance that you're getting the dust you just kicked up on film! There was a general method of taking photos over your shoulder if you thought there might be something there. This leads to many false-positive orb photos, simply because people were taking pictures of the dust they kicked up. A good rule to follow is the ten minute rule, which states that once you enter an area, you should remain in one place without moving too much for a ten minute period. This allows time for the dust, which you kicked up when entering the area, to settle down. We also rely on other equipment to register an abnormal reading before taking any pictures.
3. Are the orbs white in color?
   • This is also a common attribute of dust orbs. In the many experiments we've conducted, dust and bugs have always shown up as white in color. We have yet to naturally duplicate the other colors we've captured in the field, such as blue, red, green and gold. White is the common color of the orbs we usually receive from other when they take photos in their house.
4. Are there multiple white orbs, as in more then a dozen?
   • These type of photos are usually dismissed when we get them ourselves or receive them from visitors. So many orbs, usually with many that are extremely transparent, are 99% likely to be dust particles in the air. These photos have usually been taken during a party, while walking through an old, dirty building or outside in the warmer, dry months. An easy experiment to do is to go into your basement with a camera. If you have the type with the pipes exposed, then you'll most likely have a nice, thin layer of dust on the top. Have your camera ready and brush the dust off. Take several pictures of the area and see what you get. Chances are you'll get about a hundred orbs, both faint and a few bright ones.
5. Was the photo taken from or of a moving object?
   • Since dust is a major concern when dealing with "orb" photographs, the need for certain protocols is paramount. Dust is always in the air...yes, ALWAYS. Here are two experiments you can do to see this for yourself. 1- On a bright, sunny day, stand by a window and look at the sunbeam coming in. Take note of what you can see in that beam of light. Its a whole bunch of dust particles. 2- Wait until night fall and sit in a dark room. Turn on a flashlight with a tightly focused beam. What do you see in the beam? Again, you'll see dust particles floating around. In both experiments, take note of the "flight pattern" of the particles. They don't simply float in a straight line, but weave in and out. Some actually chang direction without warning. This is because dust particles are effected by air currents so slight that we can't even feel them.
6. Was the subject of your picture behind glass?
   • Glass is the culprit of many "apparition" photographs. Any time you take a photo of something behind glass, you run a very good chance of capturing a reflection of yourself. With or without the flash, you still get a reflection. If you use the flash, then you'll get a "very, bright orb next to a face". Without the use of a flash, then you'll get a faint, but clear image of an face (or part of a face). I've even see images of a hand holding a camera! Glass also causes the bright orb reflection. This happen when you snap a picture and there is glass (from a window, picture frame or a mirror) in front of the lens, at a distance. The image looks like a star. Finally, when not directly in front of the camera lens, glass will bounce the light of the flash around the room. The reflection will appear as the same shape as the glass, as seen in the photo. This means that if a picture frame is square in shape, but only a sliver is seen in the photo you took, then the reflection will only be a sliver. An experiment you can do at home is to find a picture frame on the wall, preferably near an adjoining wall. Take a few photos at different angles and you'll see what we mean.
7. Was it raining, snowing, cold or foggy outside?
   • Weather conditions have an effect of photos and video. Rain drops, snowflakes and snow dust (the very light stuff that blows around in the wind) will show up on film as orbs. Most will actually appear as moving orbs. Fog, when photographed relatively close, will show up on film as many, many orbs. When photographed at a distance, then fog will appear as an ectoplasmic mist. A good practice is to always check the weather before going out. If there's a chance of rain, snow or fog moving in...cancel the investigation. If any of these conditions existed when you took you photograph, then you picture cannot be accepted as unexplained.
8. Was the picture taken towards the sun or light source?
   • Any bright source of light can cause an effect called lens flare. This happens when the source of light hits the lens at an angle which allows the light to bounce around the lens. This can be seen when a video camera pans across an area in which the sun, or other bright light, is in the background. You'll get orbs in your photo. Some will "stretch" from the light source towards the center of the camera, while others will have two or more orbs in a straight line from light source to the center of the lens. Another tell-tale sign is the shape of the orb. Now, this doesn't apply to all cases, but many will appear as octagons (a six sided shape). Severe lens flare happens when an extremely bright light hits the lens and causes the "heaven's gate" effect. Rather then being a window to heaven, its actually the shape of the shutter are of the camera. The light is so bright that it burns the shape into the negative.

Let's take a look at video;

1. Were you using any special features, such as night-shot or super night-shot?
   • Although a video using "super" night-shot rather then regular night-shot sounds as if it would be better in this type of work, its actually not. Super night-shot uses less frames per second to record. This allows it to gather more light (usually infra-red) for each frame, making it brighter. The slower frame rate is the problem, as it gives a choppy view. If you have one of these video cameras or have access to one, try this experiment. Set it up on a tripod and get the room dark. With it recording, move your hand in front of the lens (about a foot away) at a fairly quick speed. Do it a few times at different speeds, then repeat this with the night-shot and super night-shot features. You'll see the difference. This difference will allow a bug moving in front of the camera to appear as a long streak. It'll do the same for a stationary light source if you move the camera around too quickly. We haven't seen this problem with normal night-shot as much as the super night-shot. Some other features on newer cameras may also cause this type of effect, so be sure to extensively try out and experiment with these before using them in the field.
2. Was the camera on a tripod or were you holding it while moving around?
   • We suggest always using a video camera mounted on a tripod rather then holding it and walking around. This is because the camera is never always steady, and the possibility of catching dust becomes higher. If you're moving around and someone happens to walk by you, you'll get their "dust trail". This is the trail of dust that follows the air currents moving behind an object in motion. An experiment you can do starts with setting up a video camera on a tripod. This must be done in hallway, or room long enough to move about easily. Lower the lights and use either a camera mounted light or a separate light shining from behind the camera (the night-shot infra-red will work just as well). Start from down the hall and walk at a brisk pace towards the camera, going to the side just before it. When reviewing the tape, you should see the resulting dust trail come in behind you.
3. Were you using a camera mounted light source?
   • The camera mounted light an cause many of the same problems with video as it does with a camera. The light will bounce off of any reflective surface, and because the camera is usually being carried around, it will record all the light being bounced around. You need to be extremely careful when carrying a video camera around. The problem of a dust trail, as mentioned above, is also a concern. The camera mounted light will light up and even bleach out dust particles too close to the lens, thus giving the image of dozens of orbs passing by the video camera.
4. Was it a fresh video cassette?
   • Although this is something we have never seen, it is a basic precaution. To use the same tape over and over again is fuel for skepticism. But, as I mentioned, we've yet to see this happen with any type of video cassette.

Last but not least, let's take a look at EVPs;

1. Were you using an external microphone?
   • External microphones are a must when capturing EVPs with any recorder besides a solid state digital device (They have no moving parts). With regular cassette tape or microcassette recorders, you have the problem of internal gear noise. The built-in mic will capture all of the noise going on inside the recorder itself, as well as what's going on outside. Believe it or not, I've been sent EVPs with a description of "growling noises". Upon review, it was found to be nothing more then gear noise.
2. Did you use a new tape?
   • Unlike video cassettes, I have had the experience of hearing "bleed through". Bleed Through occurs when a tape that already has a recording on it, is used again and again. Once in a while, something that was previously recorded, comes through the new recording. If you're not experienced and do not have prior knowledge of a previous recording, then it could easily be mistaken for an EVP.
3. Were there more then one person present at the time of the recording?
   • A tried and true method of conducting an EVP session is to appoint one, and only one, person to ask questions. If there is more then one person involved, this simple rule must be maintained. When too many people start asking questions, you can run into problems such as someone whispering, comments made by someone who is just on the edge of recording range and/or people shuffling about. These will all show up as faint sounds or voices. Trust me, unless you video tape the entire session or write down EVERYTHING that is said, its impossible to remember just who said what...and when.
4. Are there airports, train tracks or highways nearby?
   • Keeping in mind the last sentence above, any noise heard in the area, while conducting an EVP session, should be noted by the one who is asking the questions. Noises made by plains passing overhead, a train blowing its whistle, or even a heavy truck rumbling down the street should all be noted on the recording. If you can hear it...chances are the recorder did as well. If, for some reason, you don't get to review the tape for a few days or even a week or two later...you may not remember that this vehicle went by. This is a common problem when people leave the recorders alone at a site. We used to be guilty of this, until we really thought about it. Whether near a small town, a big city or even out in the country...there are noises all around. Animals, vehicles, other people, wind...all of these simple noises cannot be accounted for if there is no one is there to monitor the area. There really is no telling what you could get on the recorder.
5. When the recordings were made, were the windows and/or doors open?
   • Sound travels. This is a basic fact that should be remembered when doing EVP recordings. Closing off the doors and windows will cut down on outside noises coming in from other houses and other rooms. This is especially true if you make a habit of leaving a recorder alone. If it was unattended and the door or windows were open, then whatever you may have simply cannot be accepted as unexplained.
6. If you were asking a question, was the EVP answer directed towards the question?
   • Another natural occurrence we've had the chance to experience is a recorder picking signals from radios stations, walkie-talkies, cell phones, portable house phones and short wave radios. Yes, your recorder is at risk of picking up these signals. It doesn't happen all the time, mind you, but it does occur. When this happens, you'll actually be able to hear it through the recorders speaker. EVPs, when recorded, are usually (99% of the time) not heard until the replay of the audio clip.

After reviewing these guidelines, you'd still like to send us your stuff, please do!
Send it to
ParaInvestigator

Back to the Home Page