This is an article that I’ve wanted to write for a while. I have a lot of respect for the paranormal groups that go out and use the technology they do to educate the masses. I was thinking about this as I was writing; videotaping for hours, an equal amount of recording, followed by at the very least an equal amount of time going through the data to extract any the evidence. A lot of time and effort goes into an investigation to be sure.

In my humble opinion, the technology of today’s DSLR [Digital Single Lens Reflex] camera has not been utilized enough to aid in the gathering of paranormal evidence. The pattern I do see among paranormal groups is that they’ll invest in everything but a good camera. Folks, that’s like going to McDonalds and ordering two quarter pounders, a large fry, an apple pie, and a diet coke. Lol. It just doesn’t fit does it?



A good digital camera with a decent flash [set off camera] will provide some great photos; and if a spirit wants to be cooperative, you may just have yourself a great paranormal shot that you wouldn’t have had if you would have used the usual point and shoot camera that most are using. If you opt not to use flash, an understanding of the functions of the camera will help greatly in getting a proper exposure of the scene, aided in part with the use of a tripod and cable release.

Why a good camera and off cam flash? Today’s p & s [point and shoot] cameras have limited flash range; not to mention the fact that they produce horrible noise if you’re not using flash in a darker scene. Here’s where a decent camera comes in. With an average DSLR and flash combined, you will have greater range with your flash. What the higher output flash does is “paint with light”. You want the light to essentially fill in the pixels, thus negating the problem with digital noise. This can be likened to high speed film back in the day which was grainy. Digital grain will limit the image’s ability to enlarge successfully.



Let’s suppose that you don’t want to use flash. No problem. Put your camera on a sturdy tripod and you’ll set the camera accordingly for the proper exposure. If the scene is darker, you would need to have the shutter of the camera opened longer to allow more light in. If the image is exposed correctly and enough light has been introduced, there won’t be an issue with noise in this method either.



As time permits, I will try to explain in greater detail in future articles the methods of taking successful photos for the paranormal. I will also be learning along the way here folks because ultimately, it’s the spirits who will drive the success of the final image.

Crystal Cross and I have also talked about producing some tutorials on this very subject as well. For now, I hope you like our introduction to the importance of good photography in the paranormal.

Matrix

I agree that understanding some basic photography is a must, (thinking of the many light trails, dust, and hair in photos that were not paranormal). But for many, a DSLR camera is just to far out of there price range, but a good P&S will do just as well assuming the owner takes a lil time to lean it. Like my cannon power shot, 12mp, and 12x optical zoom, the ability to control shutter speed, f stop, focus, and all the other goodies. What sets it apart from a DSLR is the lack of view finder, external flash hookup and raw.

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Thank you both for the camera reviews. Good even if you aren't looking to go use it for investigating. But I definitely agree, way too many people (not as much on GnH thankfully) really really, beyond all logic, want to believe that what they caught in a picture is paranormal and not what it actually is.

jmb12177 wrote:


I agree with some of what you are saying here jmb. Some will not want to spend the money on a DSLR and that's understandable. Many if not most have no interest in the photography side of the paranormal. Having said that, for the price of good P & S, you can get a cheaper DSLR [even used] and focus on buying interchangeable lenses, which would be the preferred method. Also, you now have the opportunity to buy a flash that you can place off camera. A P & S will never compete with a DSLR where you can add a flash or good glass [lens]. It also [at this time anyway] will not compete in the area of boosting the ISO [digital film speed] when the need arises.

One of the biggest problems with P & S cameras is the location of the flash, which is notorious for giving people the false sense that they've caught something paranormal, when 99.9% of the time they haven't. The P & S flash is also very limited in light coverage; so light falloff is a big issue.

Tresses Of Nephthys wrote:


Good to see you Tress. Take our orbs please right? Lol. For me, a camera could be one of the few ways to capture a spirit in an image. I could be wrong, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life finding out.

Main reason I won't go with a dslr, is a lot of event that go to will not allow a camera with detachable lens, that's there rules, but if you pay attention to what your buying, you can get a p&s that can give you similar photos to low end dslr cameras

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If you are going to go with a Point & Shoot, anyone have any recommendations on how far away the flash should be from the lens? Also, I think my camera (p&s, about 6 year old sony) has a place to attach an external lens.

Tresses Of Nephthys wrote:


All P & S cameras have the flash directly above the lens. If yours has a hotshoe on it [place for flash], you may want to find out if you can get a cord which can be placed in that hotshoe and the other end attached to a flash. Your photos will be much better if you can go that route.

If having the flash above the lens is such a bad thing, they why do so many photographers use the hot shoe for a flash that sits above the lens, and not to mention, I have 3 cheap p&s cameras where the flash is not above the lens. Looking at cheap cameras in a store today, I noticed that all the cheap ones do not have a flash above the lens, makes it seem like it is the other way around. Besides, we are trying to be mobile photographers, were not shooting in a studio. Unless you have a way to get a ghost to come in for a studio shoot.

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I could probably to get one to come in if I tried; getting rid of it would be another story