Vortex

This is a swirling column of white ectoplasm that is often mistaken for a camera strap because it usually is found on the right side of the photograph in a vertical position. This column may cast a shadow and may lie in a horizontal or vertical position on the photo. One or more vortex columns may be present. The vortex may loop or may appear to disappear completely from the photo. The column may be of any color, but the most common is white. Often a blue-white color may be visible associated with portions of the column being transparent. In those photographs taken at funerals, the vortex captured on film are often more blue than white with individual sections of the column as a dense white almost like blobs within the column. The older the spirit, the more solid the vortex appears. This may be a basic configuration for the ghost entity. From this configuration the vortex transforms into a globular shaped ectoplasm.

Orbs or Balls of Light 

Orbs are the most common configuration pattern for the spirits of the dead. The sphere is considered the ideal vehicle for moving about. The spirit orb may represent one or more spirits or souls. Documented evidence suggest that these Orbs may allow multiple spirits to travel together. Most often an Orb in motion will leave a contrail since it is moving faster than the shutter speed of the camera. Orbs are the essence of who we were in life, our intelligence, our emotions, our personalities and our attitudes are all retained within this essence or soul. Often these orbs can be observed with the human eye as they past through the wall or zip across the room.


Ectoplasm or Ecto Vapor

This is a form of spirit energy that appears either as long white swirls or as a vapor or cloud like spirit energy. This configuration appears to be unorganized and resembles swirls of smoke. When an Orb comes to rest, it can dissolve into an ectoplasmic mist. In some ectoplasmic mist, swirls caused by orbs in motion can be observed.

Ecto Swirls

This form of ectoplasm resembles swirls of smoke or vapor and is caused by orbs in motion that are leaving a contrail behind it. The vapor trails are generally white.

Dust Particles

Dust particles suspended in the air are often thought to be spirit orbs simply because they are also orb shaped. If the IGHS Standards & Protocols are not followed, the chances of photographing dust particles instead of spirit orbs are very high. Most digital cameras will capture suspended dust particles, both indoors and outdoors. Most people are amazed that their homes contain suspended dust particles, but they do. Heaters, vents, fans and other devices move the tiny dust particles on currents of air not seen by our eyes. The orb shaped anomalies maybe out-of-round, broken or chucked, may appear as shield shape, diamond shape or octogonal depending on which camera is used. Any straight line found on an anomaly means it is produced by light being reflected back into the camera causing the anomaly. Spirit orbs never have straight lines of any kind. Most dust particles appear in clusters and resemble bubbles.

Camera Strap

Camera straps are most often confused with the vortex or vortices because of their patterns, but camera straps are very easy to detect because the pattern of the strap is visible. It is different from a vortex or from vortices since the strap is very close to the lens, it cannot twist and turn in the short distance. We had to take over twenty-four photos with the film camera before we captured a decent strap, the others did not come close to resembling vortices. It is hard so any critic who claims a vortex is a strap, ask him to demonstrate how easy it is, because we found not it is very hard to do.

We have all been raised with ghosts in our lives. Cartoons, stories & Legends, Halloween, and deceased relatives that we wonder about. We all die so it's part of our heritage, no matter what culture that is. We know as far back as man has been writing symbols on walls that we've contemplated spirits from another realm.

Ghosts are more than deceased people. If they were just that, there would be nothing to talk about. Crossing over to the next dimension doesn't make you a ghost. Ịt's when you come back and let your presence be known among the living. They move an object, provide a fleeting glance, come to us in our dreams, and whisper to us though we may not be able to see them. They are souls that have something to show, do or say to us.

 Why do they come back? What is so compelling to them that they are not in final rest where they are in the afterlife? I think there are many reasons. For some, it's unfinished business. For others, it's pure love. They simply don't want to let go. Something strong exists within them to want to come back to this realm to hold dear, expose or endure something strong to them. I think it applies to the living as well. Why do we cling to thoughts of those that have passed, even to those that are still living? I guarantee you it's for many of the same reasons they do. Just because we leave this dimension doesn't mean we stop being human in our thoughts and desires. What we are here is what we take with us. The same love, fear, and desires don't cease when we do.

 I think ghosts are just those souls strong enough to break through the dimensions to express their will or cling to some past. There are several ways they can do this. One of the most common are those that have just recently crossed over. Their energy is still strong enough that it's possible for them to be seen and even communicated with just a few hours or days after their departure. One might call this their etheric presence. It fades shortly after the physical perishes but it too diminishes quickly, like an aura that no longer has a host.

 Equal to the pull of love is anguish. More than not, a ghost is a person whose life ended abruptly and sometimes violently. This can be known as a haunting because they are haunted by a life now gone. The haunting is from their thoughts and their presence become testimony to that.

 If you think about it, ghosts are just you and I. What will become of us when we move on? Will we come back? Will we want to? I guess we'll find out.

Definitions

- going to a place were there have been no sightings of ghosts and trying to catch some on film (video and photos), sounds, eyewitness, etc. (graveyards are the number one place to start, churches, schools and older buildings too) 

- going to a known haunted place and recording data (video, photos, audio, temperatures), notes, interviews and other evidence to prove/disprove the haunting and to assist the owners and the spirits in moving on and leaving the place if they want that.   The assistance can be either you directly assisting the owner with the situation or putting them in contact with experienced groups or individuals that  will try to resolve the situation.  Your assistance can be something as simple as educating them on what is going on and their options.

What you may Encounter: 

There are generally 2 types of spirits you may encounter.  One was a human at one time and it has remained on this level for some reason.  It may not know it's dead, may be held here by unfinished business, guilt, etc.  These spirits are like the person was when they were alive, so they could be good or bad, just like the living, but not normally dangerous.  This human spirit is the type you will encounter 95% of the time.  You could also witness a residual haunting which is just a playback of a past event.  This is just like watching a video from the past playing over and over.  The other type of spirit you may encounter were never human and are generally bad news.  You must be aware of  this type but not obsessed with them, the chances that you will encounter them in a regular ghost hunt are slim.  I have experienced both types and I just want to make you aware of their existence.  So be aware and protect yourself and you should have no problem.

 General Tips

Check out the area in daylight so you are familiar with the area. Look for dangerous places and obstacles that you will not be able to see in the dark.

Look for no trespassing signs. Make sure you are not trespassing. If you are on private property you are risking getting a ticket or arrested in some areas. You can get permission from many owners and or caretakers. We will often notify the local Police that we will be in a grave yard "taking pictures" so they are aware of our presence. If you are asked to leave do so immediately, you will not win this argument and you make other investigators look bad if you make a scene.

Make sure you bring you ID. (drivers license, etc.) so if you are questioned by the police you can prove who you are.

Never go alone. This is just common sense. If you get hurt, who will get help?

The best times are from 9pm to 6am, these are the psychic hours, but anytime can produce results. Photos have historically been better in the dark but don't let that discourage you from taking them during the day.

Find out all you can about the history of the locale. Newspapers, town historians, WWW and books can be helpful finding folklore or hard facts about the site. The books and web pages dealing with this type of info is enormous. We have a haunted places listing here with over 1000 places listed.

What to Bring

 The Basics

* 35mm Camera - Nothing fancy with at least  400 speed film.  800 speed film is also good at night but you'll have to test your cameras flash strength to see which speed works best for you.    Even those single use 35mm cameras have gotten good results.  If you are more experienced photographer you may want to try infrared film.  I have seen results from Polaroids but I suggest you only use these along with a 35 mm camera so you can compare the results.  I have used Fuji film primarily but I have also used Kodak and a department store brands with similar results.  When you develop them you don't need to go to a camera shop, the local drug store or department store is fine.  Let them know you want all the pictures developed so that you get the pictures that they might think are bad ones.  These "bad ones" are normally your best ectoplasm mist photos.

* Digital Camera - Regardless of what you've heard digital cameras are great tools for ghost researchers.  Once upon a time they had their limitations and problems but that is no longer the case.  Not only do they allow you to see instantly if you have a positive photo, they can also take photos in limited infrared range of light.

*  Flashlight w/ spare batteries - a common sense item.  Remember to bring spare batteries for everything.  Due to spirit activity, batteries often run down very fast and you don't want to miss anything because of dead batteries.   I recommend using a red lens flash light to help preserve your night vision.  More info on red lenses and how to make your own here.

*  First aid kit - just in case, it's very easy to trip in the dark and get cut.

*  Notebook w/ pens and pencils- you need to write and log in everything  that happens.  If you don't then you really don't have much research information.   An example of this is one investigator gets a EMF reading that's high and never writes it down.  Another investigator takes a picture of the same area but is not aware of the reading and gets a anomalous image.  Without that EMF reading the picture may be good evidence, but with a report noting the reading, the picture greatly increases in evidence value.  Many investigators use a pocket tape recorder in stead and that is fine, just make sure you have spare batteries and tapes.

* Jackets or weather appropriate clothes - if you are cold you are not at your best and your observation skill could suffer, pretty common sense.

* Watch - so you can log in the times of events and your arrival and departure.

Advanced and Optional

*  Video camera  (optional tripod) - Video cameras are an important instrument for an investigation.  Unlike still cameras they provide us with constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation.  The video cameras we use are equipped with infrared capability and this is the mode we use.   With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety.  This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena..   The Sony line of camcorders has an infrared night shot feature that enables you to video tape in complete darkness and see beyond what the human eye can see.    You can use these on tripods or walk around with them.   You should also invest in an infrared light extender which will help your camera see in the darkest places and make the quality of the video better.

*  Tape recorder w/ external microphone and high grade tapes -  recorders or digital voice recorders are with out a doubt one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should have in you investigators toolbox.  audio recorders are used for many different purposes throughout an investigation.  Recorders are used for interviews, spontaneous thoughts,  your notes and electronic voice phenomena (EVP).  You have to use a external microphone when recording EVPs (ghosts voices).  If you rely on the internal microphone you will also be recording the internal gears and motors and this will make your tape worthless.  Any sound you hear on the tape could not be used as evidence because of this, so use the external mic, they are pretty inexpensive.  The type of tape that is most often recommended is high bias tapes or metal tapes.

*  Digital audio recorders - This recorder is small and easy to carry.  You can also use the voice activation feature so there is less audio to review.    I use this for my notes as well.  Most units record the time of the recording as well which is very useful.  When using audio recorders be sure to state the location, time of investigation, and investigators names.  When recording investigators names it would be wise to have each individual present state their own names, which will make it easier for distinction amongst voices heard on the tape during review.  Voice activation mode should be deactivated on tape recorders during use when electronic voice phenomena is trying to be achieved due to the fact that it usually cuts off beginnings of words, sentences, and phrases.   This is not necessary with digital recorders and they actual seem to work better in voice activation mode.

* EMF Detector -  The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher's tracking device, a very important piece of equipment.  With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources.   It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source.  It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter.  Before using the EMF as a ghost research tool on an investigation be sure to walk around the area and take initial readings around energy sources such as light poles or electrical outlets to be sure of the readings you receive while scanning the area during the investigation.  Most units when purchased come with a manual describing most household and major appliances and their corresponding electromagnetic reading.   When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence.  Anything higher or lower is normally has a natural source.

*  Cellular phone - if you have one it can come in handy in case of an emergency.

*  A Compass - it's a useful instrument to an investigator due to its compact size and low cost price.  When used on an investigation this will indicate spirit presence when the needle cannot come to a precise heading or spins/moves erratically.    This works on the same principle as a EMF meter.

*  Candles & matches - batteries often run low during hunts so you may run out of them and still need a light source.  Another good idea is a camping lantern that runs on lamp oil.   Be careful using the candles around motion detectors, they will set them off.

* Motion Detectors - these can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits.  You can get battery operated ones for about 20 dollars and they are great for inside but I have seen them used successfully outdoors as well, just watch the placement.  You don't want a tree branch setting it off.

*  Thermometer or Thermal Scanner - Thermometers are an instrument that is also very useful   There are two types used regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers.  When used on an investigation this will aid as a detection system for spirit presence.  Rapid temperature drop of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence.   I recommend using the infrared non contact thermometers but cause they react in less than a second to a temperature drop and you can scan a large area quickly.

*  Hand Held Radios  -   Or Walkie Talkies are very useful in a large outdoor area and a building with groups spread out in various rooms.  They could be great in emergency situations or just to rotate groups.  Be sure to be aware they could interfere with your EVP recording though.