Ghost Photographs & Pictures
Ghost photography is the capture of unexplainable anomalies by a camera to produce ghost pictures or video.  Photographing ghosts can be difficult and sometimes, frustrating; especially when one is trying to capture a paranormal experience for the first time in picture.

The sheer volume of ghost pictures being photographed around the world may be the best evidence yet of ghosts.  Ghost pictures are often verification of personal experiences with ghosts for many people.  Yet, some ghost pictures are easily explained away through non-paranormal phenomena.  On this page, we have provided some links to false ghost pictures as an example of what to look for.  Also be sure and read: Ghost Pictures & Exif Data to understand how a digital camera may sometimes produce false results and how we can learn what is happening with our camera.

Let’s investigate what real ghost pictures are versus spirit pictures.

Even though ghost photography is often referred to as “spirit photography” or “spiritography,” true ghost photography should not be readily confused with thought photography, psychic photography, or the spirit photographs of spiritualists from around 100 hundred years ago.  Many were tricksters who would hold séances for money, and fake various spiritual experiences for their paying customers. Often times, they would create double-exposure photographs of ghosts posing with them, etc., to “prove” their own spiritual abilities.  Investigators unmasked these so-called “spirit mediums,” revealing many of their "manifestations" and “spirit pictures” to be nothing more than parlor tricks and good sleight-of-hand.

A camera at any given time may capture a ghost in picture. Ghosts have been captured on instant, Polaroid film, 35mm film, infrared film and by digital memory.

Today, most ghost pictures are being captured by digital camera, as it gives the picture taker instant results and can be uploaded to a computer for more detailed viewing of the ghost pictures taken.  Some traditional ghost hunters still prefer the 35mm camera, as the digital versions seem to pick up more dust orbs than their forerunner.  If you choose to use 35mm cameras, it may be nice to use two cameras for comparison: one with infrared, high speed film, and the other with ordinary ASA 400 high speed film (both in black & white).  Paranormal phenomena that is invisible to the naked eye will appear on the infra red film only; and the image will not be on the regular ASA 400 film.  Of course, infrared film is tricky to handle and store.  This requires an experienced photographer, and is the primary reason most ghost hunters will use digital cameras over their 35mm predecessors.

 Anomalies In Ghost Pictures

Orbs – round spheres of light in ghost pictures that can be caused by flash reflection off of reflective surfaces, dust,glass, insects, pollen, moisture, snow, rain, hair, and lens flare.  Of course, many believe that some orbs are “spirit…maybe even the souls of people.  They have also been captured in movement with a vapor trail; and have also been photographed with super-bright (often orange) energy – called “super-charged orbs.” Orbs caused by flash reflection will often have a “halo” or spokes radiating out from the center of it; which is usually just dust orbs.  You can eliminate some, though.  Read: Get Rid Of Dust Orbs in Ghost Pictures

Ectoplasm – smoke-like, fog in ghost pictures that is not usually visible to the naked eye, but appears in the ghost picture. Many believe this to be “spirit” captured in picture. Of course, it is possible for cigarette smoke, fog or even breath from the photographer to create false ectoplasm pictures.  So, one must be aware of this when taking ghost pictures - especially in cold weather.

Vortexes (vortices) – “funnel-shaped” energy in ghost pictures, usually encompassed or comprised of ectoplasm (mist).  Some believe this to perhaps be a portal or opening between the spiritual and physical worlds.  Others believe these to be nothing more than the camera strap having been accidentally photographed.  Many times a camera strap gets into the photograph by accident and looks similar.

Dark Shadows - Black ectoplasm mist in ghost pictures also called shadow people by some.  These have been witnessed moving and even dancing around rooms and could indicate the condition of the person's soul as darkness (lack of understanding - lost).  We have found through Kathy Owen, that a finger accidentally placed across the flash unit will also create false shadow ghost pictures.

Apparitions – the Holy Grail of ghost pictures; capturing a full-bodied spirit in a “see-through” human form. These are rare, and some ghost hunters maintain they are not possible to capture, but just a Hollywood movie version of what a ghost looks like.  Indeed, it is possible to create false apparition ghost pictures by lengthening the time the shutter remains open or shooting into glass and creating a glass apparition false ghost photograph.  Be sure and read Slow Shutter Speed Apparitions!

Super-Charged Energy - streaks of "lightning-looking" anomalies in ghost pictures.  Some super-charged energy is mistakenly created by the digital camera flash settings; others by hair in front of the lens.  View: False Supercharged Energy

Anthropomorphizing - also known as " matrixing."  To give human attributes to inanimate things.  Some faces in ghost photos are ghostly, while others are not.  View and read about:  Anthropomorphizing