Hobbies And Interests
Orb Photo Basics
Ghost hunters constantly seek proof that spirits are real and that they remain tethered to Earth. When spirits appear on a photo, they do not appear as a human would. Ghost hunters believe that spirit energy takes the form of an orb. The ghostly orb has the ability to glow, change colors and move around. Many ghost hunters are eager to believe that an orb caught on film is a ghost. Most orbs, however, have natural origins.
Natural Causes of Orbs
Orbs often appear on camera when photographers take photos too close to a mirror or other reflective surface. Dust particles are another common cause of orbs. Tiny dust particles, normally difficult to see, are magnified on the camera lens. They are typically circular, with a white, opaque appearance. High humidity, water droplets and pollen also cause orbs to appear. Lens flare, caused by the sun, makes orb-like objects appear on camera. Some ghost photographers claim that false orbs, or those made naturally, have a blue-tinged edge that aren't present on true ghost orbs. Camera-generated orbs are usually perfectly round, while ghost orbs are not.
Recognizing a Ghost Orb
True ghost orbs are generally difficult to spot because they closely resemble false orbs. Ghost hunters often take three photographs in quick succession to eliminate dust as a possible cause of false orbs. Dust moves in the air, so if an orb does not move in all three pictures, it is most likely not caused by dust. Ghost orbs tend to have bright colors, strange shapes and erratic movement.
If you view an orb on the camera viewfinder and want to know if it has ghostly origins, ask the orb to move. Ghost hunters believe that ghosts respond to people if they treat them politely and with respect. Ask the orb to move to a specific location and then take a picture of that location. Repeat the process a few more times. If the orb moves as requested, it may be a real ghost.
Tips for Ghost Orb Photography
Before attempting to photograph ghosts, take note of your environment. If you are inside a dusty building, realize that floating dust will probably appear in your pictures. Anomalies may also appear during foggy or wet weather.
Do not point your camera at a window, mirror or the sun while taking pictures. Doing so causes false orbs to appear.
Wipe off your camera's lens before, during and after a photo shoot. This removes dust that may have landed on the lens.
If you have long hair, tie it back before you start taking pictures. Floating pieces of hair look like ghostly anomalies when magnified by the camera's lens.