| Let's take a look at the growing interest in "spirit | | | | if an orb requires an Earthly illumination to appear, it |
| photography." | | | | must be of Earthly origin, not supernatural. |
| Say cheese. | | | | And what about the photographs of "light energy?" |
| For centuries people all around the world have been | | | | Things moves. Particles can zip around on currents of |
| reporting encounters with ghosts. A faint silhouette at | | | | air or even the shaky breath of the photographer who |
| the foot of a bed, a wispy apparition, unexplained | | | | is waiting in the cemetery for spirits appear on film. |
| sounds, cold spots, ghostly footsteps, haunting moans | | | | Bugs can fly by creating a great "spirit" trail effect. The |
| and creaks. But is it really necessary to imagine that | | | | camera strap, or a stray wisp of hair can drift before |
| these images, noises and other experiences are | | | | the lens, unnoticed by the photographer especially in |
| evidence of supernatural activity, or can we accept | | | | the dark, and may be caught by the flash. This would |
| that there are more down to earth, explanations? | | | | produce a great energy streak in the picture. |
| Do ghosts exist? Probably not, but I admit cannot | | | | "Plasma" and other wispy spirit forms can be the result |
| prove they are not real the same way believers in | | | | of cigarette smoke, car exhaust, frosty breath, or hair. |
| these things can't prove they are real. My argument is | | | | I'm sure there are even bundles of lint drifting around |
| not that ghosts, as spirits of the dead, cannot be real | | | | that would make an interesting subject if they were |
| and that people haven't seen them; what I have a | | | | just the right distance from the camera. |
| problem with is people, often "expert" ghost hunters, | | | | Some even claim to see little heads and faces in and |
| who claim that known photographic anomalies are | | | | around their orbs. This is just growing more and more |
| evidence of "spirit energy" or other such nonsense. | | | | absurd. It's akin to finding shapes in the clouds. If you're |
| Orbs have been sufficiently explained, but those who | | | | looking for something, you're bound to find it. Little |
| wish to continue deluding themselves will persist in their | | | | heads, faces, dragons, fairies and sprites will abound in |
| fantasy. Many paranormal "experts" are adamant that | | | | your universe if you believe. And don't forget about the |
| they can tell the difference between dust orbs and | | | | hoaxer who wouldn't think twice about manufacturing |
| real spirit orbs. That is complete crap! | | | | some spirit forms in Photoshop just to fool the gullible. |
| Delusion, fed by ignorance, seems to be contageous. | | | | Should we be concerned that spirits are overtaking our |
| Orbs have become very popular among ghost | | | | world in the form of little "orbs" and "light energy" that |
| hunters, and photos of orbs are regularly used as | | | | can only be seen when you take a picture? I wouldn't |
| evidence to support claims for hauntings. Along with | | | | lose any sleep over it. |
| "orbs" we may find photos of "light energy" or | | | | Belief and magical thinking run rampant in our society, |
| "plasma" and a number of other "spirit forms." The | | | | and it is a major problem. Ignorance should be |
| reason I am so annoyed by anyone presenting these | | | | minimized not propagated, but continued belief in all |
| as proof of a spirit world is because of the sound | | | | things supernatural, proliferated through the dubious |
| explanation behind these images. Orbs are not proof | | | | merit of ghost hunters made famous by television and |
| of ghosts, they are proof that a flash can bounce | | | | other media outlets, does a great disservice to the |
| back off of a minute particle and create a glare on the | | | | general public. For lack of evidence ghost hunting |
| lens. | | | | groups should not be taken seriously. They rise to |
| Sometimes we don't even need a flash. I caught an | | | | fame and adore the attention, made cool by steadfast, |
| orb on camera, in the middle of the day, in my living | | | | gullible fans. |
| room, while taking a picture of family members during | | | | Contrary to what some may profess, ghost hunters |
| Christmas one year. The sun shining through the | | | | are not experts on ghosts. They simply can't be, |
| window and the particle was at just the right angle to | | | | because there is no evidence that supports their claim. |
| create the effect. | | | | Think about it. There are real, down to earth |
| Just the Facts | | | | explanations for most of what ghost hunters present |
| You will not see any orbs if you take a picture in a | | | | as evidence of their quarry. Why continue to believe |
| windowless room with the lights off and the door | | | | that there is something more going on? |
| closed. There is no light to reflect off of the particle(s) | | | | Orbs are not hard evidence of spirit activity in our |
| and into the camera lens. One would think that a spirit | | | | world. Next up... EVP! |
| should be able to show up regardless of light. But alas, | | | | |