How to spot a Fake Ghost Picture
You happily snap away at a family gathering, as millions
of people do every day. But when you get the pictures developed
there are strange whispy forms, mists. 'orbs' (raindrop like
blobs) or, if you're lucky, something resembling a ghostly
body or face. But can they really be ghosts?
 Paranormal expert Craig Hamilton-Parker thinks there's every
chance they are. 'Over the years, there have been many experiments
done using telepathy to project an image from the human mind
on to a photographic plate,' says Craig. 'And using a process
known as Kirlian Photography, which captures electromagnetic
energy fields, we can photograph human auras. It's not beyond
the realms of possibility that spirit energy could be captured
on film too.'
35mm FILM CAMERAS
- FAKE ORBS AND GHOST PICTURES
Craig believes that in the days of 35mm film there was more
chance of technical glitches being mistaken for (or deliberately
passed off as) spirits. However, with the advent of digital
cameras and camera phones, where images are captured electronically,
it's harder to explain away orbs, weird streaks of light and
transparent faces.
'It's intriguing that just as many people are capturing what
looks like spirits on digital cameras,' Craig says. 'Years
ago, it was all too easy for crystals in the developing solution
to leave a mark on a picture that would look like an orb.
But nowadays, with sophisticated automatic cameras, there's
a lot less chance of flaws or double exposures cropping up.'
FAKES OR ORBS AS SPIRIT ENERGY?
Craig suspects that orbs, which are the most common example
of possible paranormal evidence, could be the physical manifestation
of spirit energy. 'People regularly capture orbs in haunted
houses,' Craig says. 'And others say they can identify the
face of a loved one. What's interesting is that faces usually
appear in photos of birthdays or weddings.
It makes sense that spirits would want to take part in these
special occasions. On another level, these "spirit extras"
could be energy or vibrations contained within a building.
This would possibly explain why spirits who are not known
to a family would sneak into their snaps.
'All in all, it's an exciting area,' says Craig. 'But don't
be taken in by everything that is said to be a spirit picture.
There are many hoaxes in circulation.'
Craig agreed to give us access to his vast collection of
paranormal photographs taken by the public. So are they true
examples of spooks captured on camera? 'I've given my verdict
on each, but you can make up your own mind,' Craig concludes.
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How to spot a Fake:
With sophisticated computer software widely available,
it's never been easier to fake realistic-looking spooky pictures.
Here's what to look out for...
FAKE PHOTO MANIPULATION
 Be
aware of suspicious lighting. In a genuine photo the light
should always come from the same direction in all areas of
the picture. If the light around a face, for example, is coming
from the left, but the light flooding into the room is from
the right, then it's likely the two components were photographed
in different locations then later superimposed together.
FAKE ALIGNMENTS
Look
out for blury edges. If a computer has been used to superimpose
something on to a scene the edges will look soft and smudgy,
particularly the outside of a face or hair, for example.
 TIP:
Want to snap a spook? Craig suggests that you visit places
of 'spiritual significance', such as haunted houses or ancient
stone circles. This is where spirit energies will be at their
strongest, increasing your chances of capturing photographic
evidence of their presence.
Now explore our growing library of ghosts and phantoms. There
are real ghost pictures on this website with many more within
the members areas.
Go to Ghost Section
Take the ghost vote
Spiritual books by Craig
SEE ALSO:
WHAT ARE ORBS?
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