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This GHOSTLY GALLERY is a semi-permanent exhibit that features (alleged) paranormal photographs which describe types of phenomena. They're presented as a very basic Ghost Hunting 101 lesson for the newcomers out there.
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"Peek-a-boo, I see you..."
Identifying "Real" Ghost Photos.
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When is it a spook and when is it not? Ask anybody who has dabbled in this weird world of phantoms and they'll tell you most alleged paranormal photographs submitted for evaluation are "false-positives." That means the image recorded on film stock or digitally isn't what it at first appears to be. The novice is usually so anxious to get his first ghost photo, that he'll often make mistakes in both shooting and identifying the picture. In this basic lesson we'll take a brief look at false-positives, fake spirit photography and some images that have been confirmed by experienced investigators to be actual phenomenon. |
Ghost photography has been around since the spiritualism movement of the later 19th century. Early mediums and séances became extremely popular by 1890. Spirit photos were considered by many to be conclusive evidence of the existence of ghost phenomenon. Skeptics examined this so-called evidence and frequently exposed them as otherwise explainable or out right fakes.
Take a look at these two black & white images to the right. The first was alleged to be a ghost making her presence known to the living during a séance. Investigator Harry Price (seated) believed in the validity of spirit photography, but rejected this example as a blatant fake - a simple double exposure of the photographic plate.
By contrast, the next photo came from renown ghost hunter Hans Holzer. It was shot at Winchester Cathedral in England, where numerous persecutions were done during the reign of King Henry the 8th. Ghostly monks have been reported since that era. Three such apparitions stand before the front pew (center left). Holzer shot this 2-second exposure with a Zeiss camera, loaded with fresh Agfa Isopan film. He was convinced this image was authentic. A vortex has been described as a "doorway" from this dimension to another, usually the 4th. Phantoms allegedly enter this world via these doors. Photos often represent vortices as a bright white funnel or band, though there are other descriptions. Amateur ghost hunters frequently get excited over pictures like the photo of a woman seen here. A big bad black vortex appears to be on the attack, right? Beeeep!!!! Wrong, but thank you for playing! That's a camera strap, kiddies. A very common operator error, about as sloppy as sticking your thumb in front of the camera lens.
The next image is an entirely different matter. Shot in the Long Beach, California home of a self-proclaimed psychic who goes by the name of Tuesday, it may actually be a real paranormal photograph. During an investigation in February 2006, professional ghost hunters from APSR (Alabama ParaSpiritual Research) and Haunted Times took EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) and EMF readings (Electromagnectic Field). Immediate paranormal activity was evident, including several spirits present and - more disturbing - a "lower level demonic entity."
This photograph may be interpeted as a different type of vortex. Each streak of light originated from a visible point (top center) and twisted around each other, forming the beginnings of a band. At the leading edge of each streak is an orb.
Orbs are the most common - and most controversial - alleged paranormal photographs. Skeptics are quick to dismiss orb photos as flashback, reflections, pollen, dust specks, moisture condensation, etc. Very often I'm sure they're correct. However, most skeptics will reluctantly admit that possibly 10% of such photographs are unexplainable. That's one in ten; about the same percentage as UFO photographs.
Here are two alleged orb photos. The first was shot by a San Diego paranormal research group at Villa Montezuma, which is reputed to be haunted. The digital picture quality is extremely poor (probably a cheap 1 mega pixel camera), which makes it very difficult to evaluate. But this image resembles confirmed false-positives I'm seen before. What appears to be multiple orbs are very likely tiny drops of nighttime condensation clinging to the camera lens.
The second picture comes from the Pacific Paranormal Research Society on an investigation at the White Eagle Tavern in Portland, Oregon. White Eagle was built in the late 1800s and site of a "deadfall", which meant this establishment participated in drugging and kidnapping sailors. Those poor individuals were sold into slavery as crews of sailing vessels, outbound for the Orient, hence the term shanghai sailors.
This orb was captured upstairs, moving down the hallway. Unlike dust orbs, this image is solid white light and left a contrail. Many professional investigators believe this type of orb is an authentic paranormal phenomena. Real or not? You decide... |
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