How to Photograph a Ghost

Catching a ghost on film isn't as hard as you think. A camera is an effective tool to use to get hard evidence that ghosts do exist. One thing to remember though: ghosts most often appear as orbs, balls of light, or mists. Don't get discouraged if you don't get a human-like form in your pictures. The orbs are just as good.

If you have further questions or comments please feel free to contact me. CLICK TO E-MAIL US I appreciate all comments, and I will do my very best to answer all of the questions as soon as I can.

By the way, I do now and will forever encourage the use of Canon cameras. I believe that Canon makes the best photography equipment in the world. This is a personal view, and I will not respond to any criticisms of this view.--Josie

Rules for Photography

• DON'T SMOKE!!!!!--I personally hate this rule, because I smoke, but I follow it on every single ghost hunt. Smoke from cigarettes could appear in your pictures as a mist and be mistaken for a ghost.
• Tie up your hair--We don't need pictures of your hair, I don't care how great it looks. Make sure it is not in front of your camera lens.
• Use only equipment that you are familiar with. Don't go out and buy the most expensive camera on the market and find out that you have no clue about auto-focus and SLRs...use what you already have and know how to use
• Use film above 400 speed and below 1600 speed. Below 400 speed will result in blurry photos. 1600 and above could appear grainy after development, especially in low light photos
• Move all unnecessary lights out of the picutres. We don't want a flashlight beam being mistaken for a ghost. It's easily done
• NEVER EVER CLEAN YOUR LENSES IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROLL OF FILM. If there is a spot on the lens, it will be visible in all photos on that roll and will not be mistaken for a spirit.
• FOR GOD SAKE, KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THE PICTURE (JT).
• If you are wearing a hooded jacket, keep the hood and the strings out of the picture too. Secure the strings before you go out on the hunt.
• Keep your lens dry. Don't even attempt an investigation if it is raining, snowing, or very foggy. This taints your results, and in a field like paranormal investigation, we don't need to give the critics any more ammunition.
• Keep the neck strap of the camera out of the picture. Either remove it from the camera or secure it around your neck before you go out.
• Let the most experienced photographers use the cameras. It will be easier for someone with experience to know things about the equiptment and film, and also about flashes and low light photography
• Finally--DON'T BE AN IDIOT, REMOVE THE LENS CAP OR COVER BEFORE TAKING PICTURES.

Film Tips

• As I already mentioned, please use film of no less than 400 speed and no greater than 1600 speed. Black and white works very well, but make sure you have a camera with a low light setting before taking B&W pics at night. Also, if you have an SLR camera, infrared film works well with a filter.
• I advise either 400 speed B&W or 800 speed color, for me they have the best results.
• You may want to get double prints. It is slightly more expensive, but it elminates the possibilty of having a scratch on the print being mistaken for a ghost. If you don't get double prints, be sure to check the negatives to see if the anomaly could be just a simple scratch.
• Please make sure you want ALL PHOTOS RETURNED AS IS when you go for development. That way none of your ghost photos get thrown out.
• If you have any doubts about film speed and low light photography, ask someone at the local camera shop. They are professionals and can most definately help you out.

Equipment Tips

• Do not ever under any circumstances use a camera that you are not familiar with. Make sure you have either used the camera before or have asked a lot of questions before borrowing one.
• When buying a camera, please select one with a low light setting. Canon's Sureshot Z-135, Rebel G, Rebel 2000, and EOS Elan are all good selections ranging in price from $200 to $800 dollars.
• Zoom lenses of more than 30-80 are not necessary. You want a wide shot anyhow to capture the most area directly in front of you. If you zoom out too far, you might miss something right under your nose.
• Please manual focus. There are a lot of good Auto-focuses out there, and most have the option of switching to manual. Please do so before you go out on a hunt.
• Do not use polaroid cameras. While it is possible to see results right away, it is also easy to alter a polaroid photo before it is fully exposed (hey look guys, when I press my finger on this Polaroid I get a ghost!). DO NOT DO THIS EVER!!!!!