A Place to Start

This is by not a comprehensive guide.  This page was developed for those taking photographs on a ghost tour.  Specifically, the Terrell Ghost Walk.  They are great starting guidelines but we will soon be expanding for those with more serious interests.

1. • Make sure your flash is off. Light refraction may cause problems from reflections. It can also cause a “cycle of confusion” by turning dust, pollen, and insects into orbs.
2. • If you have night vision on your camera, use it to photograph during low-light conditions.
3. • Make sure your shutter speed time is as short as possible. That is the amount of time the lens is open. It is difficult to adjust this in low light conditions. Another option is to make sure nothing is moving in front of your camera when shooting
4. • The higher the camera’s pixilation, the better the results and the harder it is to disprove an actual apparition.
5. • If you sense that an area needs a camera pointed at it, then follow that instinct. Always.
6. • Hold your camera exceptionally still what is best to use a tripod if one is available.

• • Take a series of 3-5 photos of the same area without moving. Some cameras have a setting for this already. Do not waste time if you must manually press the shutter. You want to see the photos only seconds apart for comparison later.
• • When taking the photos, hold your breath in until the series is complete. Breath can cause moisture you may only be able to see in the final photograph.
• • Two other techniques are sometimes tricky to maneuver with one person. Have a second camera pointed in the same direction and take the photos at the same time. Another option is to place a video camera alongside your camera. It is best if set about 6 feet apart. They also make racks to place two or more devices on one tripod that work but place the video/photo side by side. If you happen to have two people, problem solved!
• • When reviewing photos, play with the positive/negative balance of the pictures. Also, place them in a computer program that presents them as a gallery to check the series quickly. That increases the chance of seeing subtle changes. Finally, any potentially suspicious areas, no matter how small, should be examined with a large zoom and closely scrutinized. If you are not 100 percent positive you’re happy with it, keep it and review it later. Also, get a second person to look over them. A fresh set of eyes can change everything.
• • Send it to a professional photographer who is unbiased.  They can tell you if it is an issue with the actual shot.

Don’t get frustrated. It takes 50,000 photos until you capture something. Trust me. It’s worth the other 49,999 photos you wasted reviewing.

An excellent website to help you understand the different features of operating a camera and understanding some of the technicalities:
https://camerajabber.com/shutter-speed-aperture-simple-guide-beginners