If you are interested in ghost hunting with photography, there are 4 major types of ghostly manifestations to look for. Whether you are taking a ghost tour or visiting a site you suspect may have spirits all around (and you’d like to see if you can capture some of evidence of these specters yourself) you don’t need a lot of expensive equipment. You can simply use your camera or even the camera on your phone to investigate a location.  But what exactly are you looking for? Read on as we break down the 4 different types of paranormal phenomena you will be looking for in your pictures.

1). ORBS

The most common type of image you are likely to capture are what most paranormal investigators refer to as “orbs”. Orbs are perfect circles and are typically white in color (although red and blue tints can sometimes be seen as well). They can vary in brightness and size. You might capture one, or even dozens of these in a single photograph. It is also possible to follow an orb from one spot to the next as it travels through the area. 

The dominant theory with most ghost hunters is that the orbs are not the actual ghosts themselves but a type of energy trail or psychic matter indicating that the site is haunted. This is why orbs are most often found in areas with high concentrations of souls (Battle fields, prisons, cemeteries, etc). In fact when you are taking the pictures, you probably won’t even see anything with your naked eye. It’s after the fact that people usually find these orbs as they are scrolling through their photos, and will then notice an orb, zoom in, and realize they have caught one on their camera.

Skeptics about orbs will most often claim that what is being captured isn’t supernatural at all, but simple dust or moisture in the air. There are a few problems with this type of attempt to explain orbs away however.

Although dust can be caught by a camera, dust is everywhere at all times. If Orbs were simply dust particles, you would always get orbs in your pictures (wedding photos, parties, vacation, selfies, etc), but this doesn’t occur with any regularity. Also, orbs are consistently captured in the same haunted sites over and over. And as for moisture, rain can also be captured on camera, but they do not produce the perfect circles that appear as orbs.

2). VORTEX/FUNNEL GHOSTS

Unlike the orbs, which are the psychic energy trail of a ghost, a vortex (or Funnel Ghost) is believed to be the actual, physical manifestation of the ghost at that location. They can appear as a type of cloud like streak or shape, sometimes with branches extending from the main form. These are typically stationary and are found in the heart of the haunted site, like where most of the reported haunted activity has occurred, or where extreme cold spots at the location have been discovered. 

The main thing to look for when trying to determine if your vortex is authentic or not is the possibility of foreign objects dangling in front of the lens. Camera straps, hair, bracelets, etc can often be misinterpreted for evidence of ghosts.

3). Mist/Fog/Will O Wisp/Vapor

This type of phenomenon is harder to catch than that of the orbs, and less predictable. These Vapor type of image look like some form of cloud made of light. Sometimes you can even see the facial features of the ghost within those images. 

The most common mistake made with these are cigarette smoke, steam from vents or even breathing out on a a very cold day can create some interesting pictures, but can also be misinterpreted for genuine paranormal evidence.

4). APPARITIONS

Perhaps the most exciting image to catch is that of an actual apparition. These are the most rare to find, but are well worth the effort should you be fortunate enough to catch one. The better ones often get circulated widely with everyone in the field excited to vet the authenticity of the evidence. As the name implies, the apparition is the physical appearance of the ghost. It can be a full form or a partial image (face, silhouette, hand, leg, etc). 

The best way to be certain that the apparition is real, is to be aware of your environment. Is there glass in the background that might reflect? Are there insects flying about? Was it drizzling when the picture was taken?

Do you have any unexplained phenomena that you’d like to share? We’d love to see your pictures, so please share below!

Happy Haunting

Frank