Post by Darren on Aug 8, 2010 20:26:08 GMT 10
To be honest I've yet to see an orb that I could say is truly paranormal, but here's some hints to catch them:
Do not use a flash!
Some things seem so simple - if a true orb gives off its own light and there are questions regarding particle reflections from the flash why would you use it? I'm amazed by some people who openly invite science to prove them wrong but insist that you should photograph orbs using a flash! Test it for yourself - suppress the flash and you'll see a huge reduction of orbs appearing in your photographs. You can view an example in the orbs in haunted places thread. To compensate for the absence of a flash you could give slightly more exposure and/or increase the ISO setting.
Camera Type
Compact digital cameras with smaller chips and lower resolutions are more prone to show false orbs - try a digital SLR at the highest resolution possible. Many smaller digital cameras orientate the flash close to the lens - the ideal position to create orbs! For more information on differences between compacts and larger format cameras take a look at this depth of field article scrolling down to the heading "flashlight and ghosts".
Multiple cameras
If possible use multiple cameras - if the same orb appears it will add credibility. There are ways to fire two separate cameras at the same time but the easiest way is to video at around 90 degrees to the still camera. Test it - video someone taking a photo which reveals orbs you just may see the flash illuminating all the dust particles just in front of the camera! If you only have one camera see if yours provides an option of taking two pictures - one with a flash and another immediately afterward without a flash.
Do not alter pics
If a photograph contains an orb which consists of energy and emits its own light you would think it wouldn't need alteration to bring up detail. Despite this many insist on altering pics which only serves to lower the photographs credibility and can actually destroy valuable data. A good investigator of any discipline (police, FBI or paranormal) should be aware of the importance of maintaining continuity of evidence. If you must modify any picture always keep the unaltered original complete with all EXIF information intact. This also touches on good scientific analysis technique that allow others to examine and recreate your findings from the original.
Combining the above will certainly add more credibility to any orb which shows up. There is an argument put forth that some orbs are seen by the naked eye, but these same people will then take pics using the flash. It comes down to what is the most logical - so let's get serious and try to catch the truly strange orbs - those which give off their own light, appear on multiple cameras and in original unaltered photographs.
Do not use a flash!
Some things seem so simple - if a true orb gives off its own light and there are questions regarding particle reflections from the flash why would you use it? I'm amazed by some people who openly invite science to prove them wrong but insist that you should photograph orbs using a flash! Test it for yourself - suppress the flash and you'll see a huge reduction of orbs appearing in your photographs. You can view an example in the orbs in haunted places thread. To compensate for the absence of a flash you could give slightly more exposure and/or increase the ISO setting.
Camera Type
Compact digital cameras with smaller chips and lower resolutions are more prone to show false orbs - try a digital SLR at the highest resolution possible. Many smaller digital cameras orientate the flash close to the lens - the ideal position to create orbs! For more information on differences between compacts and larger format cameras take a look at this depth of field article scrolling down to the heading "flashlight and ghosts".
Multiple cameras
If possible use multiple cameras - if the same orb appears it will add credibility. There are ways to fire two separate cameras at the same time but the easiest way is to video at around 90 degrees to the still camera. Test it - video someone taking a photo which reveals orbs you just may see the flash illuminating all the dust particles just in front of the camera! If you only have one camera see if yours provides an option of taking two pictures - one with a flash and another immediately afterward without a flash.
Do not alter pics
If a photograph contains an orb which consists of energy and emits its own light you would think it wouldn't need alteration to bring up detail. Despite this many insist on altering pics which only serves to lower the photographs credibility and can actually destroy valuable data. A good investigator of any discipline (police, FBI or paranormal) should be aware of the importance of maintaining continuity of evidence. If you must modify any picture always keep the unaltered original complete with all EXIF information intact. This also touches on good scientific analysis technique that allow others to examine and recreate your findings from the original.
Combining the above will certainly add more credibility to any orb which shows up. There is an argument put forth that some orbs are seen by the naked eye, but these same people will then take pics using the flash. It comes down to what is the most logical - so let's get serious and try to catch the truly strange orbs - those which give off their own light, appear on multiple cameras and in original unaltered photographs.