Orbs - Opinion Poll

[Darren]

A general poll on orbs, what do think?

[HGH]

I posted this entry in the Article section, it seems to apply here as well.

If I may state my opinion, we believe at least 99% of orbs appearing in photos originate from natural causes such as dirt, dust, pollen, moisture, insects, lens/light refractions, etc. Take into consideration all of the particles floating about through a stream of sunlight entering a window. Although they are minuscule in size, they can still be captured on film. We've actually created "natural orb" photos in controlled environments simply by kicking up dirt from a rug, shaking a dusty towel, spraying windex for moisture (or taking photos in the rain/snow), even taking photos near active pets for dander and stirred up dust, etc. These are exercises you can perform with your own camera to see how natural orbs may appear in your photos.

Sensor confusion is also a good example regarding colored orb photos. On your computer, view a photo you've taken in the dark/at night and pick a very dark area somewhere in the pic and keep zooming in until you are way in. You will notice the black isn't actually black, there are dark reds, dark greens, all different colors that the camera is trying to translate as the actual color. It's the same with orbs, especially with dust close to the lens which creates relatively larger orbs. You have a device thats designed to take pics a few feet away to many feet of things that are at least a few inches in size at the minimum (describing a typical camera). Then you have, for instance, a half an inch away from the camera, a tiny spec of dust that is outside the focal range of the camera. The camera has a very hard time trying to recreate what that is and the flash against that particle is so close to the camera its super bright so the sensor doesn't have enough information to color it correctly.

I have created an "Explained Photo Album" (aka fake photos) giving detailed explanations on how other anomalies commonly mistaken for paranormal phenomena occur.
You may view it here:
hghparanormal.com/ExplainedPhotos.aspx

If you have theories that conflict with my opinion, I ask that you please share them with me. As I am always open to hearing suggestions from others. However, we as paranormal investigators need to get this message across to those upcoming groups. Those who claim orb photos as positive proof of paranormal phenomena are killing our community. I'd love to see an "orb photo" that was taken WITHOUT the use of a flash on the camera!


-Jennifer Marcus
Co-Founder/Lead Investigator
H.G.H.

[ghosts1905]

It depends with Orbs, they could be dust particals on the ground, or they are light anomalies...Depends on what they look like I think

[ppitim]

I also agree to what has been written. I was surfing facebook yesterday and notice someone from Maine USA posting pictures of orbs he photographed. When I mentioned that he clean his camera lens he got irritated. I told him that he should look for orbs that give off their own light instead of reflecting light. The people will believe what they want to believe even if logic is staring at them in their face.

[mrx3010]

I don't think anyone believe here 99% of all orbs photographed are anything more than dust. However here is something I have noticed when getting orb photos in areas that are said to be "active". Some times we do get more photos there, granted it's just dust, but dust is susceptible to electrostatic fields. Orbs although dust, may be a sort of indicator of an energy source. We also have a rule at GWRIP that if we capture orbs where there are levels of high EMF we look at them a bit closer, we don't just throw them out. Also if we catch a dark orb against a white BG we would take note of this as well, that has not happened yet though.

[drew]

Orbs seems to be a sensitive subject for some.
For my mind, 'most' images of orbs have a natural explaination as detailed in previous posts. That does not take away in my mind at least that there are some images that defy natural explaination - given the circumstances. Orbs are by all intents and purposes very hard to prove beyond reasonable doubt to be some kind of paranormal phenomina.
I think it's premature to completely dismiss the image of an orb without close inspection - some images of orbs I and others have captured certainly do not fit the criteria of natural causes. Experimentation I have conducted on a rainy night in a graveyard or a dusty old house with minimal light sources or within a well known hot spot with clean surfaces and equipment one can see clear differences - but once again the onus of proof is hard to come by.