Southern History and Topics

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I found some interesting info on an Australian web site (and others) showing "fake" ghost photos. I have seen far to many images from people who say "this is a ghost photo," and in truth it is nothing but dust, bugs, water, cigarette smoke, light reflecting of an object, or the lens of the cameras, etc., etc., etc., Digital cameras pick up light better than film cameras, and many a photo taken in an old cemetery show bugs reflecting light, and people automatically think "it’s a ghost!"

For example is the photo below. UHOOOOOOOOOO the big bad ghost is going to get us…�?Ya right, the only thing that’s going to get you in this photo is an insect. So bring some "OFF" with you.

This was taken with a digital camera.

This photo is ghosts at Gettysburg�? Again ya right. In fact it is nothing but mist from light rain.

Here is another "fake ghost photo" UOOOOOOO Look at all the ghosts around me. In fact it’s snow�?

Oh no here’s a "vortex!" The ghosts are going to come out & get us�? Sorry folks it’s the strap from the camera.

Anyway, I could go on, & on, & on. From hair to chemical spills on the photo when it was developped (many people will say, "it’s an orb.) So I’m not saying that all ghost photos are fake, but keep you eyes out for just a few of the things I have pointed out. The best thing to do is see if it’s on the negative. Another is to take the photo to an expert, and have them look at it. You will be surprised at what a camera picks up. Another thing to do is have more than one person take a photo of the same area at the same time, or seconds appart.

Good luck, and happy ghost hunting

Good post 1st Sgt. They are some excellant examples of what happens when the right protocols are not followed.

Laidbacktoo, I just thought folks should know this kind of stuff. Far to many times I’ve had people show me a photo, and there is a circle of light on it, and they automatically think "it’s a ghost." 9 times out of 10 it’s something else. What folks should know is that the so-called "orbs" have a three-dimensional look to them along with a nucleus. Take for example the photo of PoneySoldier. He’s standing there in uniform, and a light is shining on the wall behind him. This light has no depth to it, and no nucleus. This makes me think that this is a reflection of some kind, or a chemical spill when the photo was developed. If you look closely at the light you will see that it appears to bend with the corner where the wall meets the ceiling. Again this is telling me it’s a reflection, and not a ghost. If the circle is on the negative than it’s light, If it is not on the negative than it’s a chemical spill, or a stain.

You will also notice that the "orb" is blocked on the right hand side because of the cabinet. A real orb would not be blocked by such a thing. It would simply pass through it.

Anyway you can see the photo I’m talking about under the post "An Orb I never Noticed Before."

I agree with you 1st Sgt. If you go back and look at my post in that thread I wrote that I thought that orb had exit written all over it.

Hey guys!.....I DIDN'T say that was a REAL orb on my picture and I still contend that it's a reflection off something...probably the "EXIT" part of that sign. The case of the sign, itself was a matted (not shiney) white, however the writing on the sign was a shiney plastic material. So I'm going to guess that it is a reflection.

We didn't say you thought it was real pony.

Laidbacktoo is right Pony. We did not say that you thought it was a real ghost. I was only using your photo as an example of how "some" folks can have this in a photo, and than run around saying it's a ghost. I am sorry if I offended you.

No offense taken on this. That picture is a good example on how some pictures can be taken as actual orb photos. On personal note...I do believe that is a reflection off the exit sign. I never noticed that "orb" before when looking at the picture, but then, one day, there it was. I sent a copy of that picture into one of those ghost hunter websites and asked them if it was a real orb, or a reflection. Never heard back from them, so I can presume it's a reflection. I sent it also to one of those ghost forums and they seem to think that it just could be an orb...possibly of one of my Confederate ancestors?

So....I guess the jury is still out on this one?

Pony, if you find out more about that photo let us know. But it may not be a Confederate ancestor. In fact it could be one of them damn yankees trying to sneek up on ya.

Anyway, I found something interesting on the Oklahoma City Ghost Club Home Page. They decided to do a little experiment with the video cameras, and so-called "ghost orbs." Well these guys rigged up a little device that removed any dust from the front of the camera, and the "orb" activity was dramatically reduced. Y’all can read it about at this link:

http://www.okcgc.com/

Once you get to the home page click on the link that says "DEVA Instructions Posted." Hope y’all enjoy, and happy ghost hunting.

By the way the wife & I are planing on going to the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francesville, LA in the next couple of weeks. I am going to bring my EMF meter, a tape recorder, and a still camera, and a video camera. If we get anything I’ll post it here.

This guy looks like he's been in a snow storm

I kinda like the little guy myself.

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