How to Photograph a Ghost

When sifting through the myriad amateur ghost hunting website galleries, something becomes clear- orbs, ectoplasmic mists, and shadow people are ubiquitous. Alas, just because something is claimed to be evidence of ghosts or paranormal, doesn't mean it is.

Those orbs are likely dust or insects, the ectoplasm is cigarette smoke or the photographer's own warm breath on a cold night, and that shadow person-well, it's probably just a weird looking shadow. I'm not saying that all such photographs are mundane, but the large majority of these in all likelihood are. Don't let that dash your ghost hunting dreams.

In all the fanfare of ghost hunting, many protocols, and narratives have developed. It's hard not to get caught up in it. However, when it comes down to it-there's no real evidence that: EMF meters detect ghosts, ghosts are spirits of dead people attached to the physical world, orbs are spirit energy, devices such as digital or film cameras, or audio recorders can be manipulated by entities and used to convey messages (EVP.)

Although these things have been pieced together over the years by various investigators and researchers, it's all unproven. My point isn't that it should all be dismissed or the techniques not used, rather I am suggesting that keeping it all in perspective is important.

It is all extremely theoretical, with mythic elements. Ghost hunting can be seen as postmodern Hero's Journey, complete with magical tools, a journey into the otherworld, and a return with knowledge. It is natural that a subject so loaded as ghosts becomes aligned with archetypal notions. Questions of our eternity and ultimate nature, and place in the universe are on the table, after all.

But buying into all the hype is limiting. Forget orbs, mists, and shadows. If you're going to try to photograph a ghost, shoot for the payload-a full apparition.

Where to photograph ghosts

This means probably forgoing the common ghost hunting, orb-rich places like cemeteries, and trying to find places with known ghostly activity (especially if apparitions have been reported). This isn't as difficult as it may sound. There are plenty of public places that are associated with ghost legends or reports of activity.

If you are not able to find much information online, search Amazon.com or your local large bookstore or library for books about local ghosts. There are usually many such books, written by local authors. Unfortunately many are self published and not so high on quality or accuracy, so if you're able, flip around or read reviews to make sure it's right for your aims.

Make a list of the places that look promising-apparition reports or stories about specific ghosts, in public places you could easily snap pictures.

Instead of seeking out a haunted venue, you could also go to a place where ghosts are being summoned-or even attempt to summon a ghost yourself. If you know people who are interested in the paranormal, then plan to attend or conduct a séance or other event in which communication with the dead is in order. Make sure you appropriately incorporate the photography into the event.

Use the EVP technique to photograph ghosts

Yet another idea is to use the EVP protocol of asking questions, then waiting for a reply. In EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), an audio recorder is used to tape disembodied voices. Questions are posed to unseen entities, and then the recorder continues to run. Usually, nothing is heard until playback of the tape.

To use this method for photography, choose a proper location. It could be one of the public locations you have chosen in your research, your own backyard, or even a cemetery after all. The act of questioning is a form of summoning, so the place may actually not matter that much. Just keep in mind if you are going to be spooked by results, not to do it in your living or work areas.

Begin by asking simple questions (out loud) such as, "Is there anyone present?" Other questions might be, "Can you please show yourself on the photograph I'm about to take when I count to three?" or, even, "Can you spell your name?" Although I suggested going for the apparition, some very interesting ghost photographs have included mysterious words present on the resulting picture. You never know!

After you ask each question, shoot a picture. You can choose to ask the same question several times, shooting after each one, or ask once, and shoot multiple times. Consider taking someone along with you to keep a record of the questions you ask, and the corresponding results.

The same rules of photography apply here as when shooting for any objective-take enough that you have a variety to choose from. There may be only one or two notable ones from an entire session, so the more you take, the more chances there are of capturing something extraordinary.

Notes on technique

There is all kinds of advice out there about using a flash or not, or photographing at night or in day. There's no reason not to try various ways. Flashes notoriously vex ghost photography-they are responsible for some orbs, strange camera effects, and artifacts. However, in certain areas both inside and outside, a flash sometimes must be used. Aiming to use it as little as possible might be a good thing.

If you have a tripod, it's a good idea to use it for a few reasons. It will lessen the need to use a flash, and you are less likely to include your own stray hairs, or breath in the camera (which can be mistaken for phenomena.)

Remember too, that although the photograph is not about composition, the background may matter.

If, for example, there is a legend about a ghost that has been seen opening a bank door, you don't want to aim the camera so close to the bank door takes up the entire frame, or so far away that it would be hard to make out the features of even a living person in view.

Medium shots are best, taken from several angles. But, you can also play around with taking some close up shots as well. If you're using a digital camera, there's no reason not to take as many photos as you reasonably can.

Of course, if you're using film, the expense and trouble can be more limiting. Speaking of film, good photographs have been captured using all photographic mediums. If you have access to more than one type of camera, experiment and see which gives you best results.

Evaluating your ghost photographs

The last step in ghost photography is evaluating your photographs. This can be the trickiest and most elusive thing about the entire business. The best advice I can give is to be discriminating and skeptical, and bring in a second, third, fourth, etc. opinion once you feel you have something anomalous.

This is difficult, because the very act of taking ghost photographs rather assumes we'd like to capture something. Good ghost photographic ghost evidence will hold up to scrutiny, though. Eliminate possibilities like glare, pareidolia (seeing meaningful patterns) insects, cigarette smoke, reflections, and other common dynamics mistaken for anomalies.

Finally, if you felt like ghost photography was satisfying, and that you would like to continue, use a field book, and keep proper logs of techniques, and results, making sure you archive everything well. Good luck!