Get Baseline Readings for Your Camera(s)

When kicking around an idea for our #TechnicalTuesday topic, we stared talking about using cameras during an investigation.  Cameras (whether digital or film) are one of the essential tools used while performing a paranormal investigation.  We have done blog posts in the past on how to use them, and we cover this topic when we bring guests out for the first time, so we wanted a different twist on the subject and what we came up with is actually a pretty good idea, and that is getting baseline readings for your camera(s).

Throughout the paranormal field, photographs of orbs are always a controversial topic.  In fact some investigation groups stir clear of using them as evidence at all due to the controversy; however, I always tell people to keep one thing in mind.   If it cannot be explained scientifically, then it is paranormal.   I have stated them many, many, many times... that is the definition of paranormal.  So, if you want to get into the world of orb-a-nology (just made that up) and use orbs as potential evidence, consider taking baseline readings of your cameras.   This will also help determine how your camera reacts to the flash at night or with lens flair.

We perform baseline readings before an investigation such as EMF sweeps, Temperature Sweeps, and just general walk troughs of the location before we begin, so why shouldn't we consider taking some pictures with our camera of certain things that can be captured during an investigation so that we can use them as a comparison during the review of evidence.

What does this actually mean?  Well it is simple.  Use the checklist provided and just go out and collect some pictures.   Take those pictures and save them in a folder on your computer (if digital) and name those files, what they are pictures for, and when you are reviewing evidence you can open the folder and compare against the different example (or baseline) photographs you have taken in the past.   It is probably to do this with each camera you use during an investigation.

Here is an example of insects that was taken over time that some of use as a baseline.  You may not have time (or resources) to collect all of these photographs with your camera, but this photo illustrates what we are talking about.   Go out in your back yard, when it is dark, and snap some photos and see if you can collect some insects of your own for comparison.

Here is a collection of "Dust" orbs.  You may not have the time to compile this type of chart; however, it would be great information to have a picture of how your camera captures dust floating the air.  The results would vary form camera to camera and from settings to settings.

Here is a checklist of some pictures you can take for your baseline collection:

__ Dust (throw some up in the air, or shuffle around a dusty room)

__ Bugs

__  Rain (don't your camera wet)

__  Sprinkler at night with flash (shows moister)

__ Sunlight Reflection

__ Bubbles

__ Sunlight Reflection

__  Fog

__  Camera Flash in a window

__  Camera Flash in a mirror

__  Energy from TV (glare, reflections)

__  Energy from Street lamps (glare, reflections)

__ Hairs in front of the lens

__ Camera strap in front of the lens

__ Energy from florescent lights

__ Cigarette Smoke

Another great idea is to search the Internet for examples of actual photographic phenomenon and keep that in your collection for comparison too.  For example, here is a picture taken of what is believed to be an actual energy orb by a paranormal investigation team.  Why not add this to your baseline collection for comparison of some of the pictures you will take in the future?

Sources:

http://www.greatdreams.com/orbs/orbs_of_light.htm
http://www.etherealthoughts.com/gpage46.html
http://www.strangehappenings.org/Orb-Photos-Are-Dust.htm